This is in reference to Asuncion David Maramba’s March 7 commentary titled “The dark-skinned child who loved to draw.” What a beautiful, touching article about Botong! Truth to tell, Botong has always been my idol. “Pinoy na pinoy talaga ang kanyang mga paintings! (Indeed, his paintings truly reflect the Filipino soul.) His anatomical renditions, his [...]
If you’re in a small group lunching with “feng shui” specialist Dr. Andy Tan, you may find out his predictions for the outcome of this year’s senatorial race, his outlook for the Year of the Water Snake (which, in the Chinese calendar, begins on Feb. 10), his work in clearing Malacañang of bad vibes and otherworldly visitors, and how he applies “defensive feng shui” for building owners whose rivals and neighbors have intentionally targeted their property.
I remembered something from my childhood in light of the debate that has arisen on how best to teach martial law to the kids.
I WRITE to you in reaction to Cid Reyes’ July 30 Lifestyle article titled “Serious doubts cast on newly emerged cache of HR Ocampo paintings,” which implied that the works that I have authenticated are not my father’s.
The Inquirer’s Aug. 8 editorial, “Art as terrorism,” bristled with an amazing and exceptional outburst of intolerance. It chastised Mideo Cruz, a known and multi-awarded artist, for “Poleteismo,” a part of an art exhibit, “Kulo,” at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Cruz’s collage included posters and images of Jesus Christ, the Holy Family, [...]
Mideo Cruz, in defending his exhibit “Poleteismo,” explains that “most of the outcry has been about the phallic object placed on the works. Phalluses have been objects of devotion in many cultures; they use them as amulets, symbolic statues, etc. They might be a symbol of power and patriarchy.” The above statement is ignorant, insensitive [...]
These are not intellectually uplifting times for Catholics in the Philippines. It began with the knee-jerk reactions of many of them to the proposed reproductive health bill, followed by wild-eyed demonstrations against the proposed divorce bill, and, lately, with foaming-at-the-mouth hysteria over an art exhibit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Let us first [...]
When Kurt Westergaard, the Danish cartoonist, drew in December 2005 a cartoon depicting Muhammad in a “blasphemous” way, the Islamic world called for his death. (Every pious Muslim, who has the duty to protect Islam, is bound to get rid of this heathen for the glory of Allah.) There were riots all over the Muslim [...]
“Sanctuary of the Filipino Soul,” the vision-mission statement of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), was attributed to its founder Imelda Romualdez Marcos. In the past, you would read this text on a wall leading to the escalators when you entered the main lobby and turned left. It disappeared during the Cory Aquino years, [...]
Art, or what different people call art, is or can be a form of expression. Like any expression it is protected by the freedom of speech clause of the Constitution. There are only two forms of expression that are not protected by the Constitution: libel and obscenity. Sacrilegious expression which is not libelous nor obscene [...]
Violence should not be condoned. Yet there are acts of violence that are forgivable, such as when the brutality is done as a result of moral indignation, particularly when a movable wooden cock is placed on the same wall as Jesus Christ and a pouty-lipped Marilyn Monroe. These were not only the sentiments of the [...]
I have long forgotten the name of the children’s book, which was from our school library, but one of the illustrations is etched into my memory and was revived recently with the controversies swirling around the art exhibit “Kulo” at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, especially the work of Mideo Cruz. The book was [...]
