PAINTING LUNA WITH WORDS

Heroes are kababayans, 

Monuments are reminders

Heroism in our hearts!

What do we know about Juan Luna, the first Filipino achiever abroad? Why was his Php 46M "Parisian Life" painting controversial? Luna Walk is an activity that answers all those questions, and more. 

On October 23, 2003, Juan Luna's 146th birth anniversary, the first walk from Luna Monument to San Agustin Museum/ Monastery was initiated by Prof. Eric Zerrudo with his students in the UST Cultural Heritage (Graduate) Studies Program. It was continued by the GSIS Museum of Art since 2006, and on October 20, 2012 in celebration of the 155th birth anniversary of Juan Luna, I participated this historical heritage walk. This could be the last of the Luna Walks by GSIS Museum, as the Parisian Life will already be transferred to its new home, the National Museum of the Philippines, this week. We gathered at the GSIS Museum located at the GSIS Headquarters, Financial Center in Pasay City. We were given shirts, snacks, and briefing about this annual activity. Then we rode to our assigned vans. 

Bahay Nakpil-Bautista in Quiapo, house of the original owner of Juan Luna's Parisian Life,
 introduces the different players of the Philippine Revolution hence it is also called the Katipunan Museum.

Nakpil-Bautista House is a typical Filipino bahay na bato designed by Arch. Arcadio Arellano where there are large capiz windows and heavy use of wood in the upper story. This structure of the Filipino house conforms to the climate of the Philippines. For a long time,  "Parisian Life" hang on its living  room as it was Juan Luna's gift to his friend Dr. Ariston Bautista Lin, who was a Filipino philanthropist. Ariston married Petrona Nakpil and had this house built in 1914. They were childless so they invited the family of Petrona to live with them. We were welcomed by one of the heirs who also maintain the house, Bobby Viola, who was very accommodating, she let us own the house for a while. 

A feel of Quiapo can be had by looking over the barandilla of this bahay na bato.

One of Petrona Nakpil-Bautista's siblings celebrates 145th birth anniversary this year, Julio Nakpil, the Philippine composer who served as commander for revolutionary troops in Northern Luzon under Andres Bonifacio during the Philippine Revolution. He composed a song that Bonifacio liked for the Philippine National Anthem, "Marangal na Dalit ng Katagalugan," (The Great Hymn of the Tagalogs) but it was rejected in favor of Lupang Hinirang. Julio married Bonifacio's widow, Gregoria de Jesus.  

Gregoria de Jesus joined the Katipunan before she married the Supremo, Andres Bonifacio.
She wrote  ten words of advice to her countrymen and one of which is, "Be afraid of history, it unearths everything."

Gregoria married Andres in 1893 when she was only 18 years old at the Binondo Church (where the first Filipino saint Lorenzo Ruiz is now enshrined). They married twice as the Katipuneros did not recognize the Catholic rites. The other marriage was by Katipunan ceremonies. She was the founder and vice president of the women's chapter of Katipunan, She took care of the revolutionary group's documents and seal. She had a son by Supremo Bonifacio, Andres de Jesus Bonifacio who died in infancy due to smallpox. Aling Oriang as Gregoria was fondly called, was the muse or Lakambini ng Katipunan, the unofficial First Lady of the Philippines at the time when Andres was the unofficial President. Widowed in 1897, she married Julio Nakpil, 2nd Presiding Supremo of the Katipunan in 1898. Oriang and Julio lived at the mezzanine or entresuelo of the Bahay Nakpil-Bautista. Oriang had six children. One of them is Juan Nakpil, National Artist for Architecture who designed the Quiapo Church, and the other one Caridad, who married Carlos Santos Viola, a devout Catholic who designed the Iglesia Ni Cristo churches in the Philippines. Other children are Julia, Josefina, Francisca, and Mercedes.  

Ryan Palad, Director of the GSIS Museum of Art and GSIS VP Nora Saludares
install the  full  story  of the Parisian  Life  painting by Juan Luna which  was
donated by  Arch  Bulanadi  of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

This year, I witnessed history as it continues to happen at the Nakpil-Bautista House. The GSIS Museum donated the exact text that explains the story behind the Parisian Life. It was enshrined right under the original spot where the original painting once hang. Today, there is a replica that serves the purpose of reminding every visitor or tourist that the controversial painting used to live there, and what it really meant to the Filipinos. 

This old photograph is proof that the Parisian Life was originally
hung in that  same spot where  the  reproduction is  now placed.

One set of furniture does not originally belong to the Nakpil-Bautista House.
It is donated by Doroteo Ongjungco in Tondo as it was used by Philippine heroes like
Bonifacio and Mabini when Rizal organized La Liga Filipina,
an organization that would work for social reforms in peaceful manner.
But Rizal was deported to Dapitan, and it opened an avenue for the revolution.

Next stop was the National Art Gallery of the National Museum of the Philippines. 

It used to be the old Legislative Building. 

Before entering, I took a photo of the President of Philippine Commonwealth, Manuel Luis Quezon.

It was on this building that Quezon, Laurel and Roxas took their oath.

Before entering, I noticed a marker on the wall at the right side of the main entrance: 
the framers of the 1935 Constitution!
I knew that we had a kababayan among those gentlemen so I looked closely
and searched for the single Lopezeño depicted by the marker.

 Vicente Salumbides, Representative from Tayabas Province, Lopezeño. 

When I saw this marker, I remembered that from Julianito Villasanta's book Pelikula at Pulitika,
he mentioned Vicente Salumbides as one of those responsible why women had the Right of Suffrage in the 1935 Philippine Constitution ---way ahead from women in other countries.  

Juan Luna's Spoliarium greeted us. It is the largest painting in the Philippines,
depicting dying gladiators being dragged away from the arena.
It won the first Gold Medal of a Filipino abroad as it was submitted to the
Exposicion Nacional de Bellas Artes in 1886 by Juan Luna.
Silver Medal was likewise won by a Filipino, Felix Resureccion Hidalgo 

On our way to the galleries after the lecture about the Spoliarium, we heard a familiar voice
briefing  throngs of  students/ teachers/ tourists who were about to visit the National Museum.
And how could we be wrong? It was the voice of our family's visual artist, the museum guide: Mr. Jesusito R. Arella, Jr. 

Luna was born on October 23. This has already been corrected in documents but not yet on this marker.  

Flower offering at the Luna Monument in Intramuros was an important part of the Walk.
This monument immortalizes the contributions made by Juan Luna to the Philippines.

At the San Agustin Museum, Luna's crypt could be found. When Juan Luna died in Hongkong
 and his remains were taken home to the Philippines, he was denied to be buried
by the friars until finally, he was buried on this place, also under the care of the priests. 

The Metropolitan Museum of Manila is part of luna walk to show the original work of Filipino artesans
before the coming of the Spaniards: the gold ornaments and jewelry
that were eleborately designed and crafted by our ancestors' hands. 

Incidentally, there was a Claudio Bravo exhibit and we were amazed at  his works  on   charcoal and color.

We saw it on its last day.

Some of those in exhibit were portraits of Imelda Marcos, Tingting  Cojuangco,  etc. 

Save the best for last... final chapter of the Luna Walk was a lecture about the Parisian Life painting of Juan Luna that became controversial when it was sold by the GSIS Museum for a sum of PhP 46 million ten years ago. That makes this Walk more historical as it is the 10th anniversary of this work of art at the GSIS Museum and the Philippine Government as well; the 120th year of the painting, prelude to the 150th birth anniversary of its original owner Dr. Ariston Bautista Lin; and... it might be the last year of the Luna Walk under the GSIS Museum as this Luna painting will already be transferred to the National Art Galleries of the National Museum.  

She is right there on the wall, in a room that is solely hers, the Luna Room at the GSIS Museum.

Without the lecture about this painting. one will not easily appreciate it.
Once understood, it will be realized that the purchase had been worth it. 

It was not my first time to listen to the lecture of Prof. Michael 'Xiao' Chua regarding the Parisian Life. I even learned about its interpretation through the original lecturer, Prof. Eric Zerrudo, but I enjoy it every time, for it takes me back to the years of Rizal and the Propaganda Movement, what transpired in our national struggle, up to the present. And that is what some teachers miss in teaching history. We have to show the connection. We learn from the past and live in the present to prepare for the future! The purchase was controversial because why would the GSIS "waste" Php 46 million for a single painting? But why not, if it can move millions of Filipino spirits into patriotism? One of the reasons why the Philippines is not loved by many Filipinos is because we do not know our story as a people. We cannot love something that we do not know fully well! Honestly, I am guilty of being one of those who criticized this purchase in 2002. But now that a lot of people have seen this work of art and listened to the story behind it, I am sure that it has not been a bad purchase at all. Without it, a three-hour lecture would not have been as effective. I learned from the lecture that the assessed the value of the Parisian Life  today is Php 200 million. But it's not for sale. 

Luna Walk is indeed a feel of history, getting to know the heroes and other participants in history books as real people... as one of us, as kababayans. From the year 1892,  twelve decades ago, Parisian Life's Journey is far from over as she continues to be transported from one place to another, seemingly saying: "Look at me, I am you. Are you still sitting on this cafe as you cannot move freely? Do something as you are alive. Free yourselves from anything that binds you now. As I continue my journey, I will inspire you to love your country." This figure that represents the mirror image of the map of the Philippines makes Juan Luna an artist for all time. Immortal!

Unfriending: Easier Than You Think!

It has been four years since I opened an account on Facebook. Just like the others who are not really techie savvy, I was not so into it, even until 2011. It was only this year that I enjoyed the use of social networking site and I found out how much I have missed when it came to learning. I didn't realize the full meaning of "social networking" early on. Or maybe I was just so incomprehensive. I had wasted three years of not using my account to the max. Thanks to my sisters who challenged me to play Words With Friends, I discovered how useful the net is as I devoted more time on this strange new thing (at least for me).

Now that I am enjoying the benefits of social networking site, joining groups and learning a lot, I surrounded myself with people whom I know will contribute to my personal growth--- artists, particularly writers, culture conservators, historians, tourism and museum managers, inspirational individuals, and a lot more. I looked for  everybody whom I had met or been friends with in the past, my relatives, former classmates, co-workers, practically everyone that I could think of--- until I felt that I had already put my entire life's social connections into one gadget that I can see anytime of the day anywhere I am. How wonderful it is to have all the people you care about in a piece of electronic equipment. Technology has given us a medium where we can no longer be alone with just the click of the mouse.     

But does anybody know what the future holds? Nobody knows, not even those who created the different social networking sites. Therefore, we just have to relish what we have right now and never worry about the uncertain future. Enjoy the friendships, chats, comments, messages, photographs, sharing, everything! Nevertheless, we have to get to know our networks well. Some things that transpire inside this amazing invention keep bothering us long after we have unplugged it. Some people may not be healthy for us. Some realities need to be faced and accepted. At the end of the day, it's still one's heart that will decide who among those facebook friends are real human beings outside the monitor and who should just be classified as friends merely on the screen.  In the long run, even how good you are to people, there are "friends" that you have to block, there are those that you have to unfriend. It is sad but you should be in control. If something makes you feel really bad, you can only be kind to yourself. Stay away from the negative elements. "Friends" who are insencere are not worthy of your time. It's as easy as one, two, three! Only when you have mastered the power to get rid of people who make you suffer will you enjoy the full potential of what the virtual communities offer. The same holds true in real life!   

Aetas of Lopez Love to be Called Kulot

Sometimes you have already explored the far-flung areas but not really mastered your own backyard. I was born and raised in Lopez, Quezon, and have been to a lot of other places in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Ironically, I only had the chance to see my aeta brothers in my hometown after four decades... 

The first time was when I was to accompany a group of Non-Government Organizations that would bring relief goods when I was employed as Senior Administrative Assistant III/ Municipal Tourism Officer of Lopez. The NGOs brought clothes and food. Next was when I was with my staff at the Public Information Office. We also brought clothes, food, and taught them bead-making. We exposed them to the digital media--- we had a video camera, digital camera, and showed the event in the laptop that we brought along  to show them. They were so amazed at their images, saying, "ayun ako, ayun ako," meaning "There I am, there I am!"

Third time we went there, I showed them a copy of their picture, one of them said, "mayron akong anino," meaning "I have a shadow." All those in the picture asked for a copy, saying they would have it displayed in their abode. Fourth meeting with them, I gave the leader a guitar, asking them to remember their songs and dances which they can no longer recall. The songs they knew are from videoke. They cannot show us their dance saying they don't remember any particular dance anymore. Or maybe, just like what my friend from the National Commission for the Arts (NCCA) told me, maybe we have a different concept of song and dance. Maybe they have but they don't tag it as such. Maybe my questioning was wrong, so I got the wrong answer in return.

The last time I went there was in 2008 when my fellow volunteers at the Lopez Culture, Arts, and Tourism Council (LCATC) now comprising Lopez Heritage Conservation and Historical Society visited them in their newly-constructed two-classroom building. We brought them food and beads, and we had a good chat with them. "Huntahan" in the vernacular. It was during this time that we learned a lot about their culture.

While waiting for our aeta kababayans to arrive, we prepared sandwiches
so that they will have snacks before we begin the activity. 

We did not wait long. They were excited to be with us. Babies were carried by their mothers in uban, a cloth that carries the young from waist, diagonally hung on the mother's body, tied on the right shoulder. It allows the hands of the mothers free to move while they keep their young safely, close to their body.

Mrs. Oblina, Alternative Learning System's Coordinator
gave them a brief orientation of what was going to happen on that day.

The whole tribe was present. Boys, girls, men, women, except for a few who were not able to make it for various reasons.

This is one of the two classrooms donated by a television network so that they will have a more comfortable place to study. 

 We introduced ourselves, for even though I was already familiar to them, most of the teachers and youth volunteers who were with me were first-timers in that place. We had to break the ice so that all of us will be comfortable to mingle.

When we began the bead-making activity, all wanted to join. They loved beads!

While the younger ones and the mothers were busy imagining the design that they would create with the bead jewelry, the men were outside, preparing for lunch.

Each group received their materials and attentively listened to instructions. 

They speak Tagalog, so we didn't have a problem communicating. Though they have an unwritten word which they use when talking among themselves. They told us it had no written equivalent so if we want to learn, it would be through sounds. I don't know if it is ever possible to learn their language. I have no idea!

They were silent for a while as they created
their own masterpiece. 

   It was fun watching them seriously do their work. We did not tell them exactly what to do. Everyone was free to make his or her creation.

Then we had lunch. We ate altogether.

 After a delicious lunch, we sat and chatted. We talked about their culture. Practically about everything! A day was not enough but it was just what we had. Someday soon we will go to Brgy. Villaespina to visit them again. Maybe by that time, we can stay longer and complete their story.

Some were proudly wearing their bracelets and necklaces,
while a few were still doing the final knot.

And before we finally left the grounds of Aeta Ville, we gave them snacks and thanked them for a very successful immersion.

For posterity. One time, we touched one another's lives. 

This October as we celebrate Indigenous People's Month by virtue of Presidential Decree 1906, let us remember that we are co-existing with our aeta community who want us to call them "kulot" meaning curly or kinky-haired, as they call us "unat' or straight-haired. Visit them once in a while and teach them something as they teach us to be thankful of the blessings that we enjoy. Opportunities they don't have. And if we can, let us help them improve their lives!

colors gone brighter

"Kung ikaw ay katataspulong, puwede kang makisalawsaw!"

Status. Not everyone understands that statement. Those who do, however, will find it interesting to like or comment on it, which literally means, "If you are one of us, you can join (the discussion)." That statement is only understandable to some towns in the Southern Tagalog Region. Not everywhere.

Language is but one part of culture, and I don't have to discuss the scope of culture here. But some very popular posts that get the most share in social networking sites are local food, local scenery, local industry, local arts, even local history. In one of the group pages, online bahay-bahayan was even made possible. It was a way of bonding with town mates all over the world, because all the players knew how it was done in the past. They just discovered that it can be made possible on the web as long as they have a common time to chat and play as if they were on it face time. If you think this is crazy, actually it is not. It is a way of reliving one's childhood, reminiscing the circumstances that went with playing, like being called by parents to run errands, to go home for dinner, or family observance of the angelus. People that played a particular part in their childhood were remembered. It was a way to realize how far they have gone from yesteryears when life was simple and money was scarce, up to the present when they can already afford the comforts of life. It makes one understand how blessed he or she has become, or how hard they toiled to enjoy life now. 

Yesterday,  an interesting bugtungan online led to the story-telling of the characters in Rizal's novel Noli Me Tangere. And who said history is boring? The discussion went well like the audience were merely sitting down, watching it being performed on stage! In this process, the young ones who did not experience it in their time, actually learn from the older generation without the latter prodding that the former learn about history and culture.  

I opened a page on facebook in 2008 where I put pictures and encouraged discussions about our town. In no time at all, it reached the maximum number of friends that it can accommodate. Everybody was happily interacting, communicating, reminiscing the past. Then a book was published, and now the network of kababayans has been constantly in touch, planning more projects and more socialization in the physical setting. 

When internet was created, it seemed like the end for cultural awareness to proliferate. It seemed like everything will be global and diversity will totally be gone. But looking at the things happening right now, the social media undoubtedly encouraged love for country, citizens are picking up the pieces of what still remains of local culture, people are constantly searching for roots and history. Those who thought that internet would transform the diversity of cultures into one global thing were all wrong. The social media has become an important vehicle for connection and "re-connecting." 

What is there to look forward to, now that the world has gone smaller? It is already happening! The story of each community will be put together like a jigsaw puzzle and in the process, the people will get to know themselves better. This process of getting to know the self as part of society and as an individual will only lead to one thing: improvement of the self. And once that cultural identity is established, malasakit springs from the heart. That means being concerned with others as part of oneself. Now tell me, has the internet threatened the development of culture and history? I don't think so.    

And I am talking about the majority!          

MULANAY, the NEXT BIG THING!

Limestone coffin. Ancient burial ground. White bats. Large ant. 

Mulanay constantly surprises us with something out of the ordinary. This is not about the movie anymore. This is real life. Facts that are unfathomable. Tangible evidences of still undiscovered part of the history of mankind, not merely for Filipinos. Not just relics, but even interesting species that are continuously introducing themselves to us, reminding us to keep believing that hope must be kept aflame. Because even how grave the destruction had been, life is not over.   

A few years ago, I was supposed to go to Mulanay to give a lecture on Basic Journalism. This was after having successful seminars in Lopez. However, the project did not materialize due to conflicting schedules at that time. But this year, I've got to visit the place myself. Why? Because I believe it to be the next big thing and I want to see it "raw" before any development happens. 

At first, I was unaware that it was in Quezon when I read the title of the news from Associated Press through Asian Journal--- Archaeological finds of limestone coffins that existed about 1,000 years ago and never before found in Southeast Asia? Wow! Ancient burial ground of limestone, and clay shards that have yet to be fixed? I'm sure that more information will be unraveled by the National Museum soon! 

That was one. "But wait, there's more," so goes the famous line. It was reported by Unang Hirit in GMA7 that white bats were found in a cave in Mulanay too! And yesterday, I saw Manila Bulletin Online post the picture of a large ant as among the new species found in the Philippines. If "hamtik" and "hantik" were the same, we have that in Lopez too. And this was what I had been telling my townmates. Let us have an assessment of our local flora and fauna. It will not only get us closer to our own natural heritage but it is a way to discover whether all the species in our localities have already been identified. To some, I was like a fool believing into something that is impossible. But hey, Mulanay has proven me right. Maybe this is the message that we have to decipher on these recent events in this town in eastern Quezon. Let us look into our own backyards so to speak, and try to know it better. 

Now, who wants to go with me before something really big happens in Mulanay, Quezon?