From My Cyberjournal

2011-12-21T03:38:00.001-08:00

—Sylvia's Garden—

Whenever we visit Manila we are made welcome in Sylvia's house in Urdaneta Village. Her warm hospitality allows us to feel immediately at home there. Glass sliding doors and panels offer a good view of the garden. I have watched the view change with the years: a majestic mango tree was felled by a typhoon, a small struggling lemon tree has been replaced by a boungainvilla, an inches high Queensland fire tree she brought some years ago from Australia has shot skywards into a tall tree. I see not just Nature and her many moods but also ghosts and memories of happy moments spent here with my sister-in-law Noring now in God's heaven and with Sylvia, her three sons, specially Miguel who is always around, and her grandchildren.

Looking out from both the living and dinning rooms I catch glimpses of life: butterflies flitting, birds feeding on palm fruits, a stray cat prowling. Join me for a stroll in Sylvia’s enchanted garden.

A bulbul bird feeds on palm berries

This bird also loves orchids

The red bud opens to reveal green buds

The buds turn to yellow flowers

The yellow flowers produce red buds that flower. Am I seeing things?

A little pond is the home of fish

Butterflies play among the waterplants in the pond

The lady of the house

The Queensland Fire tree at sunset in Sylvia's garden

— Sylvia's Garden—

2011-12-10T17:34:00.000-08:00

—Lunar Eclipse, December 10-11, 2001—

Caught the lunar eclipse which started about 10:40 p.m. and ended around 1:14 a.m.

But I was extremely negligent and fumbled all over the place in the dark. The test shots for the full moon proved wrong as the lighting then was bright, so most of the eclipse shots were under-exposed:-(

To add to the disaster, the auto focus would not work because of the distance of the moon and the total darkness, and my failing eyes couldn't see with the manual focus. Ay naku.

Anyway here are the surviving shots of a bad night at Davidson.

Test shots caught the start of the eclipse

Then a cloud cover moved in and it looked like a poor show

But the clouds cleared and a red moon graced the heavens

The parting of the sun and the moon

—Lunar Eclipse, December 10-11, 2001—

2011-10-03T00:07:00.000-07:00

--Rafa And Yammy Are Wed--

Rafa Montilla took Yammy Banzhaf for his lawful wedded wife

September 30, 2011 at Santuario de San Antonio Church, Forbes Park.

All good wishes to the bride and groom.

May they stay forever young.

Agustin & Rafa

Flower girl Sevrine

Sylvia, mother of the groom and young Miguel brother of the groom

Ring-bearer Andreas

Agustin, Sylvia and Rafa

Best pal Stinky & groom

The Montillas with Naynay

The beautiful bride

Antonio Roces & Morita Roces, Sponsors

Naynay Montilla with Andreas and Sevrine in tow

Fr. John Muscat and the newly weds

The Montilla family with Agustin III

Reception at the Polo Club

Lourdes Montinola

I could have danced all night....

--Rafa And Yammy Are Wed--

2011-09-16T06:02:00.000-07:00

—With Irene At David Jones Flower Show—

The soft tinkle of a piano complements the fragrant bloom of flowers at David Jones

—With Irene At David Jones Flower Show—

2011-09-12T19:37:00.000-07:00

—Spring Festival In Chatswood—

Parades, Asian faces, orchids, exotic food, a new Shire building complex.

The vivacious Asian participation shows the changing face of Chatswood.

I will let the pictures tell it all.

Greetings from the Lord Mayor

A multi-cultural melange

Tomorrow's promise

Standing tall

Bubble machine

Roti maker

Roti with curry sauce

Orchid show

The spanking new concert hall

Faces of the Willoughby Shire on exhibit

—Spring Festival In Chatswood—

2011-08-28T02:12:00.000-07:00

—Drive-past II—

During our recent visit to Manila I stayed busy with my camera while inside a moving car to continue pursuing that drive-past photography approach I had shown in an earlier blog. Of course I am just getting the hang of it, but it is the learning process that is always most exciting and which brings happy surprises. Get in, join me for this ride.

Wiping windshields for a living

When night falls, billboards make up the landscape

By sheer luck the figure in the billboard appears to be jumping the rail

Jesus alone saves

Jesus alone saves, —Lucky me

Sign scrawled on the wall: "bawal umihi dito"

Egg merchant

School girls in the rain

—Drive-past II—

2011-08-18T21:44:00.000-07:00

Art Auction in Manila: Going, going—

The art auction is now the great arbiter of art. The market place decides the artist's status. We caught one such event conducted by Finale Art File and Yamang Katutubo along Pasong Tamo, now Chino Roces Avenue. It was quite educational. Placed under the hammer were an interesting range of paintings covering the postwar masters such as Jorge Pineda, Dominador Castañeda and Fernando Amorsolo, along with the famous school of Modernists Galo Ocampo, Fernando Zobel, Arturo Luz, Vicente Manansala, Ang Kiu Kok, Anita Magsaysay-Ho. Not to be outdone, the young contemporary artists works enjoyed equal space and importance at the auction house. The buyers appeared to be youthful entrepreneurs who— putting their money where their taste and investment instincts leaned— clearly favored the young contemporary art.

The top sale went to contemporary artist Geraldine Javier with starting bid at P700,000 peaking at P1,160,000. A small Ronald Ventura climbed from P250,000 to P530,000, a Marina Cruz started at $38,000 to go under the hammer at P83,000; a Lynard Paras self-portrait climbed from P100,000 to P200,000. A clean sweep for the young artists.

Of the established masters, two different Anita Magsaysay-Ho bronze heads sold for their starting bids of P600,000 each; and so too a Jose Joya ceramic vase for the starting price of P250,000. A 1945 Amorsolo "Planting Rice" opus moved slightly from P550,000 to P570,000; an Arturo Luz burlap painting nudged up from P330,00 to P370,000; a Jerry Navarro was snapped for the asking bid of P600,000.

There were no takers for a Bencab ink sketch at P480,000; a Manansala watercolor at P300,000; a Leon Pacunayen at P45,000; a Jorge Peralta for P250,000. Would you believe there was even a nice Roces watercolor with a starting bid of P100,000, which was by-passed in a matter of seconds. Well, that's the art market for you.

Some of the paintings on display. You may spot a Manansala and a Luz.

Painting by Jorge Pineda

Planting Rice, dated 1945 by Fernando Amorsolo

Watercolor by Dominador Castañeda

Bencab pen and ink

Arturo Luz burlap painting

Serigraph by Zobel sold for P18,000

Watercolor, 1972. Alfredo Roces.

Paintings develop a life of their own. I am curious about this one as

I don't recall exhibiting it or selling it to anyone. Does someone know the story of this one?

Section of Contemporary artists' works

The asking bid for this shoe by Geraldine Javier was P65,000; the hammer banged at P90,000.

Hot seller Ronald Ventura's oil on paper "Fire, Flesh and Forgetting" started at P250,000 to bag P530,000.

Ventura made the news recently when one of his works sold at a Singapore auction for P48 million.

Art Auction in Manila: Going, going—

2011-08-07T23:08:00.000-07:00

Caridad Morente Pineda

January 7, 1906 - June 25, 2011

Our flight arrived on time. From the airport we were driven straight to the ICU. Nevertheless, we were painfully two hours too late to catch Mama's last breath. Irene's mother would have celebrated her 106th birthday this coming January.

Our sincere thanks to everyone who accompanied us in our hour of bereavement. Mama now rests in God's eternal embrace.

Among those who condoled at the wake was Frankie Sionil Jose, National Artist for Literature.

Morente relatives from Pinamalayan, Mindoro

—Caridad Morente Pineda—

1906-2011

2011-06-19T20:03:00.000-07:00

—Five Lands The Third Time Around—

Caught some of the events at 5-Lands this year. The Aboriginal dance participation was performed by children. Delightful. Gavi Duncan’s didgeridoo accompanied a singer and guitarist; but the interesting part was a sampling of some aboriginal tucker: crocodile and kangaroo barbecue, topped by a lilly-pilly dessert. Yum!

The Philippine participation featured a fiesta pabitin, the singkil dance, plus young Pinoys gyrating to the latest dance craze. There was also food tasting, with biko, puto,

cutchinta, and other kakanin. Sarap.

Aboriginal tucker

Your choice of crocodile or kangaroo barbecue on a stick. The "croc" tasted fine though a bit tough.

Lilly-pilly dessert with chocolate topping.

The Filipino "pabitin" in an Aussie setting

Sampling the "biko"

Bebot and Milan

Original moving spirit of 5-lands program Elio with Marivic

African representation at Copacabana. We missed out on the food tasting.

The Greek Community was the host this time around

This year, Greek artist Christina Micos designed the earth art (a Greek amphora) at the Skillion.

Ephemeral sculpture lent a touch of whimsy to various beach sites.

A rare live golden bell frog which manages to survive in North Avoca was on display.

—Five-Lands The Third Time Around—

2011-06-07T23:45:00.000-07:00

—Vivid Sydney 2011—

Its the third year of this Winter festival and the Opera House served once again as a blank canvas for color splashing. The uncooperative weather offered showers the first week which we avoided but even then, when we finally ventured to Circular Quay on Saturday we were met by a slight drizzle. But good fun all in all as we watched the Opera House "sails" rapidly transformed into cut-glass sculptures and pop art paintings.

The umbrellas were up as the drizzle threatened dampen the show.

Undaunted, Lene and Menchie were all smiles.

There were some light exhibits, but last year's were far better.

One interesting sidelight were these Aborigine "buskers" performing and playing indigenous music,

while flogging their cd's. I had to admire their fortitude

"undressed" as they were in the Winter cold.

My good friend Mario Aldeguer peers out of one of the light displays.

Hoo roo, until next year....

—Vivid Sydney 2011—

2011-05-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

—My Lords And Ladies Medieval Fayre—

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Sir Galahad and the Holy Grail. We have all read about them in our magical childhood. “Yonder lies my father’s castle” mumbled Tony Curtis in one Hollywood flic. All these all came to life at Nurrangingy Reserve as part of the Blacktown festival.

Mario Aldeguer discovered this fascinating and colorful event for us, and he facilitated our getting there. Back we went in time to Camelot: knights in armour, the clash of steel in swashbuckling sword fights, and of course jousting in full armour on horseback for fair damsel’s favor.

Last Sunday was perfect Winter weather with a bright shining sun. What more can one ask? Come hither and witness the days when gallant knights fought for honor, truth and valour. “To right the unrightable wrong, to love pure and chaste from afar...”

The three musketeers?

A knight's full armour and fair lady

The Evil Black Knight spots his favored damsel

He receives her emblem to carry in battle

The Black Knight charges his foe

He emerges triumphant!

He hugs his fair lady

They share the great victory

More dashing knights enter the field

The joust is on!

Meanwhile eleswhere, a bit of sword play

While a Scottish band plays Amazing Grace

Strange exotic creatures...

A giant and an ancient magician with dainty damsel

However, this character is in the wrong story book

Crepes for the hungry

—My Lords And Ladies Medieval Fayre—

2011-04-18T23:59:00.000-07:00

— Dance Of The Butterflies—

Are these two butterflies engage in love or combat? I am not sure. They were flitting in a kind of dance that could have been flirtation or a territorial skirmish. I caught these pair on two separate occasions in two different parts of the garden. They look much too similar to be male and female, so perhaps it is really a contest over territory. It started with one butterfly happily parked while soaking in the sun when the intruder comes and flits about making aerial passes at the settled butterfly trying to drive it away. The dance only ends when the parked butterfly takes to the air and both flit about and disappear in the bush. In the end no one seems to reclaim the disputed spot. Perhaps a butterfly person can explain it all to me. In any case, Ihave documented their "dance".

The aggressive butterfly seems to be trying to dislodge the other from his parked spot.

In this other site close by the same scenario is replayed.

—Dance Of The Butterflies—

2011-04-09T18:12:00.000-07:00

—Adieu Rue de L'Div—

You exit Mamon's dark catacombs for blinding sunshine, warm air and the riot of colors, goods, and homo sapiens al fresco. In a crowded shop on the busy street you are greeted with a sign that reads "Bawal pumasok para lang mag cellphone, mag text" ( To come in just to use your cellphone or text is not allowed). Back on the street, other products on display in open stalls assault you. But it is time to leave and enjoy your serendipitous buys. Adieu Rue de L'Div.

Signs of the times inside one of the shops.

A cheeky boy pokes my camera

Well someone has to keep the streets clean.

—Adieu Rue de L'Div—

2011-04-03T21:09:00.000-07:00

—Inside Rue de L'Div—

Having navigated the swirling sea of shoppers and street vendors you finally enter the main building crammed with shops. The passageways are narrow and you are unwittingly propelled along by the tsunami of shoppers pressed around you. You are now ready to haggle and bargain for those objects of your desire.

A majority of shop owners are Chinese. The salegirls are often Filipinas and when you make a low counter offer to the price she first gave you, she casts a quick glance at the owner who gives a cursory nod if the price you quote is acceptable.

Western geegaws made in China

There are religious statuary galore in this Mamon's house.

One suspects they too, like various Western geegaws, are all now made in China.

The top floor is a food hall

—Inside Rue de L'Div—

2011-03-28T23:01:00.000-07:00

—Street Vendors of Divisoria—

Divisoria is the shopper's Mecca. You can get almost anything here. As you wend your way to enter its interior shopping temple you have to first jostle past the street vendors proferring you a variety of goodies. It's a joyful human gauntlet you will enjoy passing through.

—Divisoria's Street Vendors—

2011-03-13T22:35:00.000-07:00

—The Traffic Hawkers—

They saunter in the midst of a sea of moving cars, near stop lights right on Ayala Avenue. These hawkers pester drivers and car passengers with the most unlikely objects. I mean in such a street scene, hot peanuts or other food may well be expected, but back-scratchers, dust-pans and fishing rods? You are impatiently waiting for the light to change and you spot this vendor and you say to yourself, yeah that's what I need right now —a fishing rod, or a plastic doodad that spews soap bubbles. Do you think that place mat would match my dinning table? Meanwhile the traffic light is turning green.

Dig those manicured fingernails

Cowboys and dust pans

Feather dusters, fishing rods, toys, electronic plugs, bicycle wheels, and more.

—THE TRAFFIC HAWKERS—

2011-02-21T22:27:00.000-08:00

The Shingles!

It is not a pleasant story. There was this little virus inside me from the chicken pox I got when I was about 16, waiting for 62 years to make a comeback now that I am 78. What a bastard. With the help of Irene manning the camera, I have documented this unhappy little episode which as of this time has lasted a month, from the time the blisters appeared to their drying up and falling off. Thank goodness the burning pain is fleeting, but the sense of fatigue, the loss of any energy is not funny. I have been sleeping or lying in bed for four weeks. Postherpetic neuralgia is in the shadows. And this virus can come back again.

I am trying to find some meaning to all this, a bit of the art of the virus on my skin, and a touch of body art. After all an artist makes the most of material that life offers him in order to express himself. Ouch! Aray!

Abstract expressionism

The final stage, ala Jackson Pollock

Valentine Day offering

—The Shingles—

2011-01-09T17:03:00.000-08:00

IN PRAISE OF A NIGHT BLOOMER

If you are a night stroller then you are bound to encounter nocturnal bloomers. "Dama de noche" or "Queen of the night" are a few popular names we know them by. You can spot them easily as they usually give off a strong perfume and visually display striking delicate forms that only last the night. One eye-catching beauty goes by the name of Epiphyllum Hookeri, and not because —should your poetic imagination stray in that direction— night bloomers are synonymous with female hookers. It is named after botanist Sir William Hooker, so I am told.

It also goes by the name of E. Strictum. The flowers shoot out straight from the leaf. The leaves look like some kind of cactus. What grabs my interest in these ephemeral blossoms is their short life span in the dark at a time when they have slim chance of catching anyone’s eye, most specially any potential pollinator. Just the same, it blooms! No one sees it, no one gives a toss, yet it blooms! Now there is my career emblem: the night bloomer. All we can really do is make the best of our circumstances, and be these ever so dark and fleeting, we shall bloom.

As darkness descends, the bud begins to swell and open.

The petals open with a slight nervous quiver, like a spring snapping inside it

Almost fully open

As Andy Warhol said, every one is entitled to seven minutes of fame and glory

By early morning it is ready for its swan song

It usually blossoms when there is a slight rain, and now it has closed its petals forever

I harvested three blossoms to photograph them before they fade away in the harsh light of day

—IN PRAISE OF A NIGHT BLOOMER—

2010-12-22T19:23:00.000-08:00

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ON BORGNIS STREET

Its that time of the year again and our Davidson neighborhood features the Christmas lights on Borgnis Street. Here is a quick walk down this street in pictures.

A Very Happy Christmas to you all.

Ho!Ho!Ho!

Like the nativity star a full moon hovers over the scene

A glimpse inside the living room of this house reveals Santa

The Bush Fire Department displays the Christmas spirit

Where there are crowds there are hawkers

This one displays a Filipino Christmas greeting

The gardenias were in full bloom giving off a divine scent.

A happy Christmas to you all!

—Christmas Lights/B0rgnis Street/2010—

2010-12-13T23:32:00.000-08:00

THE PINTO ART MUSEUM

Located at the Silangan Gardens in Antipolo, the newly opened (Dec. 5, 2010)

Art Museum showcases the art collection of Dr. Joven Cuanang. The Santa Fe style architecture sits on a hillside in serene surroundings. The collection of paintings and sculpture represent today's young Filipino artists. I cannot in all honesty say they are the kind of art that reaches out to me, but then I come from a different time and cultural space. The PAM is a welcome addition to the Philippine art scene. This is my photographic impression.

Bencab registers at the opening of the Pinto Art Museum

Left to right: Liongoren, AR, Juvenal Sanso, Irene R, Danny Dalena, Bencab.

Divine Art collector Heti Que

The Museum Shop

Museum owner and art collector Dr Joven Cuanang with one of his acqusitions

—The Pinto Art Museum—

2010-10-11T22:05:00.000-07:00

Chalk Art in Parramatta

Art literally hit the sidewalks of Parramatta with a Chalk art competition. Because paisanos were participating there we went to soak in some culture. Chalk art is an interesting phenomenon that has hit the pavements of cities from London to Sydney.

It has developed a peculiar style that favours 3d effects and illusions of depth defying the flatness of the pavement on which colored chalk images are drawn. Let's take a stroll down the sidewalks of Parramatta's Church Street for a look.

This entry, called koala blues, bagged an award. The theme was the blues.

Taking the chalk in art literally, the artist glued chalk pieces into a profile of blues singer Muddy Waters

This guest artist from overseas tediously and meticulously labored on his classically borrowed image. It was barely half finished by the end of the festival.

Edd Aragon and his grand opus. His knees and body ached from the awkward position one must assume to scratch the canvas on the pavement with chalk. His hands were coated with colored chalk dust, but he was thoroughly enjoying himself. Good on you Edd.

Ala Paredes bagged the "Best Novice" prize for her first attempt at this art form. Mabuhay si Ala!

Ala's winning entry

Happy pair of Pinoy chalk artists

—Chalk Art in Parramatta—

2010-08-27T06:18:00.000-07:00

A good many blogs ago (In My Studio) I brought up the subject of self portraits and released my decades long output. I have since worked on these as a slide show but I have yet to figure out how to compress the file get this into a blog. In the meantime my good friend Edd Aragon has been experimenting with giff animated images, so I requested him to see what he could do with a small collection of self portraits (mostly sketches) I had made over 60 years (1950-2010). Here for your delectation is his delghtful giff version of my self portraits.

Below also is the url of my own slideshow version on youtube. My original slideshow made use of Shirley Bassey's version of "I Am What I Am" but of course I have no right to use it so I have settled for this permissible youtube music instead. But I ask you to imagine the words of "I Am what I am" with these self-portraits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5A6agUm52E

2010-06-20T23:20:00.000-07:00

—Her Son, Jose Rizal—

A Fine Artists Collaboration Production

Directed by Armando Reyes

Leonor Orosa-Goquingco’s one act play “Her Son, Jose Rizal” was shown over four nights at the Tom Mann Theatre in Surry Hills, Sydney. Hurrah for Director Armando Reyes and his cast of budding thespians.Truly a commendable job. It was fine, simple, clean theater. RJ Rosales, as Rizal, carried the performance magnificently.

I leave the reviews to others. Let me simply offer some photo images snatched while shooting between the heads of the audience seated in the row in front of me.

Orosa-Goquingco’s play is brief and seeks to encapsulate the human drama between Rizal’s mother Donã Teodora and her son Jose, as well as the relationships between Jose and his brother Paciano and sister Soledad. The short play offers viewers a primer on Rizal, connecting and telescoping events in perhaps too convenient a manner for those who would seek to understand Rizal on a broader, deeper and more ideological level. But as a way of introducing the national hero to an audience totally unfamiliar with Rizal, it is at least a beginning.

Take Rizal's human side, for example, Orosa-Goquingco does not tell us much about Rizal’s relationship with Leonor; and poor Josephine Bracken gets no mention. Neither does the play elaborate on Rizal’s ideological ideas and activities, not the content of his poems, novels and essays. But of course there has been a great deal written about Rizal for those who want to pursue these matters. You will find biographies galore, and movies as well. One of his novels has been turned into an opera. And now there is the more recent musical ala Broadway entitled “Sino Ka Ba, Jose Rizal?” (shades of Jesus Christ Superstar). Going by a double CD a good friend sent me, the pop music (composed by Gary Granada, orginal libretto by Nony Gallardo) in this particular musical is happily melodic and very hummable, the words witty and clever. In fact, RJ Rosales's finale (Adios Patria Adorada) is from this musical. Maybe the enterprising Finearts Collaboration in Sydney will look into this one (but its in Pilipino) for a full show.

Our congratulations again to all those who gave the Filipino community in Sydney a touch of much needed pride with this presentation of “Her Son, Jose Rizal”. This is just what the Filipino community in Australia needs, a bit of class in the cultural front. We look forward to more from this theater group.

Ala Paredes as Soledad

Kate Roc Andres as Doña Teodora

Leading man RJ Rosales

Director Armando Reyes

—Her Son, Jose Rizal—

2010-06-13T05:42:00.000-07:00

—Vivid Sydney Part II—

(St. Mary's Cathedral)

Catching up with the part we missed of the Vivid Sydney light Festival last week, we headed for St. Mary’s Cathedral. What a spectacle! The Cathedral’s facade really looks magnificent bathed in color and imagery. Some brazen advertising occassionally sneaked into the light show; but in the age of advertising, no one is exempt not even a Cathedral’s face.

The Barracks and other buildings along Macquarie street were also captivating. We also took in the “Fire Water” show at the Rocks. Happily we were joined this time by Cal and Uko Nelson who braved the cold night to bask in the color and light.

Yes, the city should make this a permanent Winter event.

Looking like stained glass church this image fashioned my Christmas card for this year.

A bit of blatant advertising intrudes on the facade.

Nice Cathedral, pity about the message

Uko blends perfectly into the colorful scenery with her camera.
Uko's Dad is my first cousin Dr. Mando Legarda, the original photobug of the family.

Fire Water show

The message on the Opera "sails" reads:

"Dead stars, their light trapped in time...

...A great distance to reach me."

A hooded female dressed with lights dances as my camera records a grafitti of light.

—Vivid Sydney Part II—

2010-06-04T01:58:00.000-07:00

—Lighting The Sails—

The advent of winter brings the Festival of Lights once again at Sydney’s Circular Quay. Under a different director, the colors lighting the Sydney Opera House’s rooftops or “sails” are more subtle, but the fascination over the changing color effects remains vibrant. We were blessed by a full moon on a cloudy sky. What a visual experience!

Also along the harbour were several people “dressed in lights”. We missed out on touring the Macquarie Street area where St. Mary’s Cathedral is bathed in lights. With “fire-water” show still to come June 11, we may —God willing—manage another nocturnal sojourn.

(To compare last year's lighting effects with this one see 2009 June and August blogs.)

Meanwhile, here are glimpses of the Vivid Syndey Festival’s “Lighting the Sails”. Enjoy!

—Lighting The Sails—

2010-05-10T20:23:00.000-07:00

—Eeeeek! Diamond Python—

Walking down the road towards the cemetery I heard this lady in front of me give out a loud squeal while jumping off to the side. She was a neighbor I knew so I immediately approached her and she said excitedly that there was a large snake in the brush beside the path. I took a peep. A diamond python (Morelia spilota spilota) in black top with bright yellow markings, was stealthily moving along the tiny branches about waist high. About six feet long, I would say. Camera on hand I followed the python’s journey down the path.

I expected this fellow to move deeper into the brush, but instead it started to come out towards me into the sunlight and the concrete pathway. You can be sure I backed off and gave it a respectable distance while taking photos, even snatching a very brief video. The snake then calmly crossed the pathway towards a bit of brush cover between the concrete pathway and Kemborra Avenue.

I left it there hidden among the plants. Let’s hope it doesn’t think of crossing the busy avenue against speeding cars. Or that a tiny dog doesn’t get too curious about what’s in those bushes.

The diamond python, sometimes called a carpet snake, is kept by some as pets. It grows to about three meters long, lives about 15 years and likes the winter cold here. It's sticking it's tongue out at me.

—Eeeek! Diamond Python—

2010-03-27T05:33:00.000-07:00

A Lenten Daydream

On my usual walk through the cemetery—my mind rummaging through traumas old and new—a vivid daydream takes hold of me. Ahead is a noisy throng of people, and as I catch up with them, camera in my hand, I realize I am in that familiar Christian scene of calvary. The figure dragging a heavy cross on his shoulders drops to his knees. A photo opportunity. I push my way through the crowd to get a good look when a brawny, helmeted soldier grabs me roughly by the shoulders and signals me to pick up the tail end of the cross. Hello? I’m no Simon of Cyrene. That gentleman was picked becaue he was a big strapping black.

I now find myself carrying this incredibly heavy end of a wooden beam, as the man at the front end silently staggers forward with the cross on his shoulders. This cross is much too heavy for my age and built. I can’t keep in step. My God, what did I do to get into this? How can the good Lord possibly conscript me for such an agonizing ordeal? I mean, I have tried to live a reasonably good Christian life, haven’t I ? This is much too painful. Unjust. It's totally unexpected. A heavy, heavy burden. I don’t think I can make it all the way to that hill of the skulls. What did I do to deserve this? Jesus, help me! Hesus maawa ka.

At this most agonizing moment, the figure carrying the cross seems to hear me address him. He turns to me as my trembling arms grapple with the tail end of the cross. The man’s hair and beard are matted with blood, his face contorted in pain, exactly like an Ecce Homo in gray and blue I had painted more than 50 years ago. He gazes at me very calmly, compasionately. We lock eyes. Between gasps, he says very kindly: “Kung gusto mo, palit tayo.” (If you wish, we can trade places).

End of day dream. End of Ding’s homily. The spirit of Holy Week be with you.

Ecce Homo, 1956

Study for "J'accuse", 2009
(Final painting is the very top image)

A Conversation With Pain
2010

—A Lenten Daydream—

2010-03-14T22:06:00.000-07:00

Butterfly Haiku

"Last night", observed some Oriental wizard, "I dreamt I was a butterfly. Today, I wonder whether I am not a butterfly, dreaming I am a man."

Yesterday afteroon, I chanced upon this wounded butterfly. The beloved wife took the photos.

—Butterfly Haiku—

2010-02-28T04:29:00.001-08:00

Andreas & Sevrine

Our recent visit to Manila was greeted with the birth of child—a girl named Sevrine—the offspring of Agustin and Naynay Montilla. Agustin’s mother is Sylvia, daughter of my eldest brother Liling, so I guess that makes the new child my great grand niece. As house guests of Sylvia, we were among the first to visit the baby at the hospital some hours after she graced this topsy turvy world and later we were present at her baptism. Sevrine has an older brother named Andreas. During our brief stay with Sylvia, my camera snatched glimpses of Andreas and his new sibling.

Lola Sylvia with the new arrival

Sevrine's first few hours at the hospital

Andreas gets a look at his new sister

Sweet Sevrine

The baptism

At the beach

Animated Andreas

The female line: four generations.

Sevrine, Sylvia, Naynay, Great-grand auntie Irene

—Andreas & Sevrine—

2009-12-31T08:00:00.000-08:00

The Christmas Bark Suite: Coda

The last part of the bark trilogy was posted in my last blog, but now I feel compelled to include yet another facet of the gum bark. Consider this a coda to the Suite —a coda in music being “a passage added after the natural conclusion of a movement”. So I will keep this as a trilogy and append this last chapter as a coda to the suite.

You can’t help noticing the injuries that the eucalypt bark suffers. The tree trunk bleeds melodramatically from these wounds. The eucalypt, of course, heals itself. It secretes a protective resin that glistens like a jewel. But the scars are there; carried, I imagine, with pained pride. As I witnessed these calvary of hurts, going from tree to tree like some passion play, the deafening chorus of cicadas in full song appeared to burst into that heart-stopping aria from La Traviata: “E´strano!...Ah, fors’e’ lui...Sempre libero”. So let these images sing out in grand operatic scale their passionate pain.

If the coda seems to end the bark Suite with signs of suffering, remember that the tree ultimately prevails and that the scars are badges of honor. The last posting of the year must end with a positive note. It's all about redemption and renewal. Everybody hurts.

But we shall overcome. Shed the past. Happy New Year.

—The Christmas Bark Suite: Coda—