What's On & Expat - Philippines

Mayor Celso L. Lobregat has been encouraging the flourishing of art in Zamboanga City. He knows that while trade, industry, agriculture, finance and other matters that make up for good governance are vital, attention must also be given to art because it is the collective expression of the soul of the City. Thus, he encourages the hol-

My goal is to uplift my viewers, to give them a sense of wonder, a feeling of joy that there are so many beautiful things in Nature.”
 

ding of art exhibits, performances, contests and other related activities in Asia’s Latin City. (See my travel destination article Sept. 9-15 issue.)
    Fortunately for Zamboanga City, there are many art talents not only among professionals but among students as well. The existing art galleries provide the venue where they can display their flair. I visited three cultural institutions during my recent visit there.

Babol’s “Aguho Tree”

the corridor leading to the Museum, I seemed to be inside a Time Machine where Yesterday became Today, and the Present became the Future. Why the sensation? Was it perhaps the 17th century architecture with its ramparts and balustrades? The feeling beggars description.

Exterior view of the National Museum of Zamboanga City

     The Museum has several sections spread over the Fort, but I had time to see only two: that which housed artifacts such as old vintas and similar seagoing vessels, as well as indigenous costumes of old; the other was the Hall of Photographs on an upper level which I had to ascend sans shoes, but not really barefoot for I had stockings on. Shoes are disallowed in the area to avoid too much tear and wear on the wooden flooring. Shown were old photographs of various points of interest in Zamboanga City such as its time-honored plazas, public edifices, and places of worship.

I said, “these youngsters certainly have what it takes to be great artists!”
  I was shown to a section where the professional artists of the city had their canvases mounted.
  I was particularly struck by the works of Chrisel Babol. I requested the ushers to fix up an interview for me. Babol is an impressionist painter who derives his inspiration from the loveliness of Nature. He has sold several of his paintings to both local and international buyers. “For me, painting is a mission.

Exhibit of artifacts at the National Museum
 

Gallery of the Peninsula and the Archipelago

  Within the premises of the Ateneo de Zamboanga City and located very near its entrance gate is the Jesuit-run Gallery of the Peninsula and the Archipelago. It has three sections: the current where temporary exhibits by different artists are mounted in succession; the permanent where the works of Zamboanga City’s leading artists are shown, such as the paintings of Chrisel Babol; and the mini-library which carries rare and current books about various facets of the city. Gracing the foyer of the Gallery is a painting by National Artist for Sculpture Abdul Mari Imao. Also decorating the foyer was a large tapestry which, according to In-Charge Tricia Mae Manulong, is known as luhul.