A big group of expatriate artists, mostly from Canada, are back in the Philippines for a two-week artist exhibition, dubbed "Convergence Internationale," at the prestigious Artspace Glorietta in Makati City, which opened yesterday.
The members of the Philippine Artists Group of Canada (PAG), the Toronto, Ontario-based art group composed of selected artists of Philippine origin and one of the only known two in the whole of Canada, are going to the Philippines for the first time in its 16 years.
No less than the Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines, Peter Sutherland, was guest of honor at the opening of the landmark exhibition, which runs until October 6th. The exhibition is supported by Canadian Embassy in the Philippines, the Philippine Embassy in Canada headed by Ambassador Francisco Benedicto and the Philippine Consulate in Toronto headed by Consul General Alejandro Mosquera.
It is being jointly organized by the PAG with former president Romi C. Mananquil heading the delegation and the Philippine Canadian Centre Foundation, Inc. with its president, Toronto lawyer Bayani Abesamis, as a fund-raising resource for the maintenance of the Philippine-Canadian Centre in Makati.
The PAG started out as a group of Filipino artists bound by a common background and interests in actively pursuing and promoting their art and practice which mostly came to a lull when they came over to start a new life in Canada. Some of its members have already made a name for themselves in Manila before immigrating to North America.
Its members are composed of former art professors and teachers in leading art schools and universities both in the Philippines and Canada. They are prize winners and awardees. They are also members of prestigious international art organizations. Young and highly talented artists, PAG members have evolved into a robust and distinguished group openly supported by the Filipino community in promoting Philippine culture through the visual arts in that part of the world.
The exhibiting PAG artists are Antonio ‘Jun’ Afable, Wilfred Alinas, Maria Nellie Bautista, Bayani ‘Jhun’ Diamante, Antonio P. Doctor, Tony ‘Dunluna’, Rol P. Lampitoc, Rocille Lampitoc, Romi C. Mananquil, Calixto ‘Toots’ Quiachon (acting president), and Jomedi Rollo. These artists, except for three, are going to the Philippines for the art show.
Other members are Rolly Abarilla, Paquito Cruzet, Tony Leyco, Maripi Leynes, Omel Masalunga, Mogi Mogado, and Frank Tonido.
The PAG show will also include equally top caliber and internationally acclaimed artists as guests like Jun Bueno Silva from Chicago, Illinois; Lenore S. Lim from New York; Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi from Paris, France; Rafael Asuncion, Bencab, Pete Castañeda, Dan Dizon, Bill Ibañez, Entes Magpusao, Slim Torres, Platon Varquez, and Francisco Verano, who are based in the Philippines.
This art show in the Philippines will be considered historic as it promises to be the biggest ever by the Philippine Artists Group. The show will not only benefit the Philippine-Canadian Centre but will also expand the horizons of the Filipino-Canadian artists and their guests in promoting Philippine art. It will also unite the expatriates with their compatriots, strengthen their bond thru fellowship and further enhance the already warm relationship and goodwill between the Philippines and Canada.
