Tag: July 10, 2002

WHAT goes up must come down.

This is the rule that all earthbound individuals must abide. However, men continue to defy the laws of gravity through ingenuity and resourcefulness. Most fail in the attempt, but a select few manage to delay the downward pull, even for a few moments. These special individuals are herein referred to as “sky walkers”.

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THOMASIAN cartoonist Pol Medina Jr. said it best in his Pugad Baboy series: We are a poor country pretending to be rich.

I remembered his character Polgas say that after I spent some time in a shopping mall recently. While paying for my new pants, the cashier asked if I had 75 cents. I didn’t, I said, and she proceeded to give my change. It was 25 cents short. I asked for it, but the cashier apologized, said she hadn’t any, and promptly ignored me to entertain the guy next in line. Funny how people act as if 25 cents had no worth at all.

EXQUISITE, interesting, and unpredictable. These words aptly describe the visual arts presentation of this year’s French Spring in Manila, which showcases photographs from French artist, Philippe Laleu, and an innovative video presentation by 15 French artists.

Philippe Laleu found Detroit City, USA as a good subject for his new set. Ordinary Fictions showed photographs of a city ignored as people speed along.

Showing diverse uses of pearls in necklaces, bracelets, anklets, earrings, rings, hair accessories, and even belts, Jewelmer, the French-Filipino company and one of the world’s leading manufacturers of South Sea pearls, presented the Ultimate Orient Jewelmer Collection in a fashion show at the Glorietta Activity Center last June 12.

The jewelry were used as accessories in the designs of Ignacio Loyola, Dennis Lustico and Jojie Lauren. Loyola used long and fluffy florals with heavy ruffles on the edges.

FROM comedy to drama, the recent French Film Festival in Manila featured films commonly teeming with intrigue, mystery, and betrayal. The festival opened with Amelie last June 7 and closed with Se Souvenir des Belles Choses last June 25.

Noticeably, strong female characters dominate most of the films, two of which were adapted from popular French plays and deal with manipulative females—8 Femmes and La Fausse Suivante.

8 Femmes

NEIL Gordon Lees’ A Canuck Looks Down Under, a photo exhibit of various icons, showed us how to see Australia from a different perspective.

Held at the Australian Centre in Makati last June 12 to July 5, the exhibition marked Lees’ second solo show in the Philippines.

Lees says that after visiting almost 50 countries, Australia continues to draw him back.

“No matter how far we go or how long we stay away, whenever we see a bit of home, our sometimes expatriated heart is touched,” Lees says.

FINE dining doesn’t just start and end with the food. It includes a carefully designed ambience, a pleasing mood created by the aroma of the kitchen, and the friendly staff that caters to the customers’ needs.

Alfredo’s Steak House, which has been serving prime aged steaks for more than 30 years, has this and more.

LESS is more for Alexander Tharaud’s music.

In a solo piano recital last June 17 at the Francisco Santiago Hall, Equitable – PCI Bank Tower, Tharaud showed his virtuosity in playing serene music over animated pieces.

Performing before 200 people, Tharaud’s repertoire included “Suite en la” by Rameau, Sonata K333 by Mozart, “Gnossiennes no.1 et 3” by Satie and “3 Miroirs” by Ravel.

THE PAINTING faculty of the College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD) will open an exhibit on July 15, at the Museum of Arts and Sciences Gallery.

The exhibit will showcase the works of CFAD Assistant Dean and Painting Department head Jaime delos Santos, and professors Bong Ducat, Ronald Ventura, Mailah Baldemor, Glory Rogers, Tess Lafortesa, and Danilo Santiago in various media, such as oil, watercolor, and mix media.

Santiago and assistant gallery curator Jocelyn Tullao will be the supervisors of the event.

FOR THE first time, the University hosted the conference of the Association of Philippine Universities on Sino Studies (APUSS), an organization linking the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Education with eight member universities in Metro Manila. The Ministry promotes China’s educational programs and invite presidents of Philippine universities to explore possibilities of tie-ups.