Saint Gregory the Great

Spotted: 08 October 2018, after Google Image Search, added to own Pinterest

This painting of Saint Gregory the Great is by Jusepe de Ribera, also called Lo Spagnoletto (or "Little Spaniard"), who died on 02 September 1652.

Pope Saint Gregory the Great's papacy began on 03 September 590. Before the papacy, he was known to have built seven monasteries - six in Italy, and one in Rome, in his own home, which still stands as San Gregorio Magno al Cielo. He is called the "Father of Christian Worship," is a Doctor of the Church, and one of the Latin Fathers (or one of those who have set the theological and scholarly foundations of Christianity).

He is also the patron saint of musicians, singers, students, and teachers. In the Philippines, National Teachers Month is celebrated from 05 September to 05 October per Proclamation No. 242 by then President Benigno S. Aquino III.


[This post is antedated: 20181008]

September Morn

"September Morn" is the title track of the thirteenth studio album by American singer Neil Diamond, ranked 17th on the US Billboard Hot 100, 14th on Cash Box Top 100, and seventh on Record World.

Stay for just a while
Stay and let me look at you
It's been so long, I hardly knew you
Standing in the door 

Stay with me a while
I only wanna talk to you
We've traveled halfway 'round the world
To find ourselves again

An urban legend-ish story was mentioned in Songfacts in relation to this song. A 20-year old female nursing student vanished in 2011, and authorities got deluged with volunteered "information" to assist the investigation. One such volunteered information was that the lyrics of September Morn contained clues to the student's disappearance. Nothing came out of it, but in September 2014, the student's remains were found.


[This post is antedated: 20181008]

Matinée de septembre

Spotted: After Google Image Search, uploaded to own Pinterest, 06 October 2018

Matinée de septembre or "September Morn" by French painter and illustrator and Académie des Beaux-Arts member Paul Émile Chabas was considered the artist's most famous work, rather a succès de scandale ("success due to its notoriety") when the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice protested against its entry in the United States on the grounds of immorality.

Chabas said that September Morn was his wife's favorite. He died a widower in 1937 in a room where reportedly there hung a reproduction of September Morn painted from the artist's memory.

The work was eventually donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York and was displayed in the Great Hall in September 1957. It traveled to several exhibitions, some scheduled on or through the month of September, such as in California Palace of the Legion of Honor (San Francisco), Portland Art Museum, Toledo Museum of Art, and Municipal Art Gallery (Los Angeles).


[This post is antedated: 20181008]

Wake Me Up When September Ends

"Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Green Day, from the group's seventh studio album, American Idiot released in 2004. The song was recorded in September 2003.

Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
Wake me up when September ends 

Like my father's come to pass
Seven years has gone so fast
Wake me up when September ends

Green Day front man Billie Joe Armstrong wrote this song as a memorial to his father, who died of cancer in September 1982. Billie Joe's two sons, Joseph Marciano and Jakob Danger, are also musicians; the elder plays drums, the younger plays guitar and also a singer-songwriter. Jakob Danger was born 12 September 1998.

The song's music video, which is a narrative of lovers torn apart by the War in Iraq, features critically noted actors Jamie Bell and Evan Rachel Wood. Wood, an American actress, model and musician was born on 07 September 1987.


[This post is antedated: 20181007]

When Summer is Gone

"I'll see you in September," begins the song When Summer is Gone, by Gary Lewis and the Playboys, the ninth track from the album (You Don't Have to) Paint Me a Picture released in 1967. As listed on the band's website, the album could likely be the seventh of 13 in a career that spanned 50 years.

And I'll see you in September when summer is gone
Have a good time but remember
Come back to me when summer is gone

As in other sections, for the month of September, liwaliw Sounds plays around the concept of seven, which in Latin is septem, which is where the word September is derived from.


[This post is antedated: 20181006]

September

Can't have liwaliw Sounds pass through September without "September."

"September" by the American funk band Earth, Wind & Fire was recorded and released as a single in September 1978. It was included in the compilation The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Volume 1.

Do you remember the 21st night of September?
Love was changing the minds of pretenders
While chasing the clouds away 

Our hearts were ringing
In the key that our souls were singing
As we danced in the night
Remember, how the stars stole the night away

Maurice White co-founded Earth, Wind and Fire with Philip Bailey. White's autobiography Maurice White: My Life With Earth, Wind & Fire was released on 13 September 2016.


[This post is antedated: 20181006]

Satisfaction

American soul and rhythm-and-blues legend Otis Redding was born Otis Ray Redding, Jr. on 09 September 1941. "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" is Redding's cover of the Rolling Stones hit (by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards) included in the album Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul, released on 15 September 1965.

American new wave iconic band Devo (most popularly known for "Whip It") had its own cover of Satisfaction released as a single in September 1977. It was later included as the second track of their debut studio album Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! -- in the United Kingdom was released on 01 September 1978, entered the charts 15 days after, peaked at the 12th spot.





[This post is antedated: 20181006]

Sweet Baby

Multiple Grammy-nominated Macy Gray was born Natalie Renée McIntyre on 06 September 1967. Her single "Sweet Baby" featuring similarly multiple nominated artist Erykah Badu, is from her sophomore album The Id.

Many times I've been told that I should go
But they don't know
What we got, baby
Then they not see the love in you
But, love, I do
And I'm staying right here

Sweet Baby was released on 03 September 2001, and the album's release was on the 17th of the same month.


[This post is antedated: 20181006]

You are My Sunshine

"You are My Sunshine" by Ray Charles, from his seventh album under ABC Records, Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music Volume Two, a follow-up from the successful first volume of country and western recordings in 1962. This single ranked first in the R&B charts, while the album peaked at number two in the United States.

The other night
As I lay sleeping
Whoah, I dreamed I held you
Held you in my arms
Well, but when I woke up this morning
I found out I was mistaken
Do you know that I hung my
I hung my head and cried

In the American music industry, Ray Charles was referred to as "The Genius." He was born Ray Charles Robinson on 23 September 1930, and was blind since age seven.

(As in other sections, for the month of September, liwaliw Sounds plays around the concept of seven, which in Latin is septem, which is where September is derived from.)

Uruguay, the Purple Land

Page 219 of Grolier's Lands and Peoples: The World in Color, Volume 7, features detail of the Jose Pedro Varela monument in Montevideo, Uruguay ("The Purple Land") #goliwaliwph #september2018 #pages pic.twitter.com/xzbXfT0pJU

— glenncruz (@glenncruz) September 23, 2018

"Uruguay... the Purple Land" is the 23rd section of Volume 7 of Lands and Peoples: The World in Color published by Grolier (copyrighted first in 1966 by the Grolier Society and Grolier of Canada, Limited). This volume had three parts: Latin America, General Articles and Index.

liwaliw Pages this month features the seventh volume or seventh of a series from some of the multi-volume or series titles in my personal library. The word September is derived from the Latin septem, which means "seven," because it used to be the seventh month of the ancient ten-month Roman calendar.

The photo (above) contains a detail of a monument, a famous landmark in Uruguay's capital city Montevideo. Caption reads: "THE TEACHER and children are a figure group that is part of the monument to the Uruguayan patriot and leader Jose Pedro Varela, in Montevideo. [...] Varela is well known for his advocacy in 1877 of a free, democratic system of public schools."

In the Philippines, National Teachers Month is celebrated from 05 September to 05 October per Proclamation No. 242 by then President Benigno S. Aquino III.


[This post is antedated: 20181007]

Marcos on the Tripoli Agreement

Random number between 1 and 98, page 44 of Storm Chasers, Ambeth Ocampo's 7th Looking Back book has a photo of the former First Lady used as "charm offensive" for the Tripoli Agreement in the 70's. pic.twitter.com/V13iV3FQJf

— glenncruz (@glenncruz) September 21, 2018

Storm Chasers is the seventh book of the Looking Back series by historian (and one of my favorite authors) Ambeth Ocampo. Random number between 1 and 98, page 44 of the book is in the middle of the article "Marcos on the Tripoli Agreement," contains a photo of the First Lady of the former President and dictator Ferdinand Marcos being used as "charm offensive" for the Tripoli Agreement. (Learned elsewhere that it succeeded on bringing the GOP and MNLF to the negotiation table, but in the end, it failed, no thanks to the Prexy himself.)

This Storm Chasers article began on page 42 with something that we could relate with the latest buzz around social media today, 21 September, the anniversary of the proclamation of Martial Law in 1972:

Longevity is often a liability in history especially for those who start out right and end badly.... [E]xample is Juan Ponce Enrile who entered history as Martial Law administrator. He redeemed himself during EDSA 1986 People Power revolution but fell from favor and history during the administration of Corazon Aquino. Elected to the Senate on the catchy slogan "gusto ko happy ka!" Enrile's last high point was presiding over the Impeachment of Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona. Today, he is charged with plunder.

September was derived from the Latin word septem, which means "seven," because it used to be the seventh month of the ancient ten-month Roman calendar. liwaliw Pages this September features the seventh volume or seventh of a series from some of the multi-volume or series titles in my personal library.

---

[P.S. Below, from a good friend, for the reference of those who didn't catch this trending on social media.]

CHOOSE YOUR FIGHTER.#NeverAgain #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/4NK99wLrAI

— Perci Cendana (@PerciCen) September 21, 2018

Uffizi, Florence

Page 81 of Uffizi, Florence, 7th book of the Great Museums of the World series is a detail of "Annunciation" attributed to Leonardo da Vinci by this book (other attributions include Verrocchio and Ghirlandaio). #goliwaliwph #september2018 #pages pic.twitter.com/OcY19VjLAE

— glenncruz (@glenncruz) September 22, 2018

liwaliw Pages this month features the seventh volume or seventh of a series from some of the multi-volume or series titles in my personal library. The word September is derived from the Latin septem, which means "seven," because it used to be the seventh month of the ancient ten-month Roman calendar.

Uffizi, Florence is the seventh in the series Great Museums of the World, published by Newsweek and Mondadori. Page 81 shows a detail of the "Annunciation" attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. (Past attributions included Andrea del Verrocchio, Domenico and Ridolfo Ghirlandaio.) Online, Uffizi also notes "The Annunciation is generally considered to be one of Leonardo’s youthful works, painted when he was still working in the studio of Andrea del Verrocchio."

In the Roman Catholic calendar, 08 September is appointed feast day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.


[This post is antedated: 20181007]

Uniting a Nation at War

Page 154 of Kasaysayan: Story of the Filipino People, Volume 7 (The Japanese Occupation), begins Chapter 7, "Uniting a Nation at War" -- a propaganda poster with a nationalistic slogan. #goliwaliwph #september2018 #pages pic.twitter.com/y9chJOplZ4

— glenncruz (@glenncruz) September 22, 2018

liwaliw Pages this month features the seventh volume or seventh of a series from some of the multi-volume or series titles in my personal library. Volume Seven of Kasaysayan: The Story of the Filipino People is about The Japanese Occupation authored by Ricardo T. Jose. Chapter Seven of the volume, "Uniting a Nation at War," begins:

The Second Philippine Republic was born on October 14, 1943. Jose P. Laurel took his oath of office in Tagalog, thus setting the nationalist direction of his administration. The Philippine flag was ceremoniously raised and flew alone. However, it would be a republic in name rather than substance, because the Japanese remained in the country and wielded power.

Opposite the chapter is a full-page image of propaganda material at the time; the caption reads: "Propaganda posters often contained ironies. This quotes one of Laurel's nationalistic slogans but at its center is the Japanese national flower, the cherry blossom (sakura), which was drawn by a Japanese artist."

The country celebrates National Teachers Month from 05 September to 05 October per Proclamation No. 242 by then President Benigno S. Aquino III. I remember the volume's author Professor Ricardo T. Jose from the Department of History, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of the Philippines; I sat in in one of his Kasaysayan I classes when classes in UP College Baguio were suspended for a couple of months because of the earthquake in 1990.


[This post is antedated: 20181007]

Abadeja

Random number between 1 & 440, page 179 of CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art, Volume VII (Philippine Theater) contains scene from Abadeja, puppet play based on Leyte folktale. #goliwaliwph #september2018 #pages pic.twitter.com/sYIw0DlQWI

— glenncruz (@glenncruz) September 22, 2018

liwaliw Pages this month features the seventh volume or seventh of a series from some of the multi-volume or series titles in my personal library. In the CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art, Volume VII (Philippine Theater), in Part IV or Major Works, contributor Ma. Lourdes Maniquis writes about Abadeja, ang Ating Sinderela, one of the first folktales told through puppetry, script and direction by Amelia Lapena-Bonifacio, and music by Felipe De Leon, Jr. On page 179, photo with caption reads "The two wicked sisters make fun of Abadeja, center, in Abadeja, which is based on a Leyte folktale."

In college, I recall Professor Lapena-Bonifacio as one of the luminaries, a respected faculty member of the Department of Speech Communication and Theater Arts, College of Arts and Letters of the University of the Philippines. The country celebrates National Teachers Month from 05 September to 05 October per Proclamation No. 242 by then President Benigno S. Aquino III.


[This post is antedated: 20181007]

Teaching the Teachers

Page 78 of Part 2, Story 4, "Teaching the Teachers" of The Bible Story, Volume 7 by Arthur S. Maxwell -- "Jesus went to the temple to reason with the rabbis" #goliwaliwph #september2018 #pages pic.twitter.com/9M3IlymBfP

— glenncruz (@glenncruz) September 22, 2018

liwaliw Pages this month features the seventh volume or seventh of a series from some of the multi-volume or series titles in my personal library. Volume 7 of The Bible Story by Arthur S. Maxwell is titled Wonderful Jesus (From Bethlehem to the Beginning of His Ministry). My copy is a reprint in the Philippines by the Philippine Publishing House, under special arrangement with Review and Herald Publishing Association in the United States.

Volume 7 consists of stories grouped into four parts, with the corresponding gospel references from the Bible:

• Part 1, Stories of Jesus as a Baby, based from Matthew 1:1 to 2:21, Luke 1:1 to 2:40;
• Part 2, Stories of Jesus' Boyhood, based from Luke 2:41 to 52; 
• Part 3, Stories of Jesus' Ministry, based from Matthew 3:1 to 4:22, Mark 1:1 to 20, Luke 3:1 to 4:13, John 1:1 to 4:42; and
• Part 4, Stories of Jesus' Miracles, based from Matthew 4:23 to 25, 8:5 to 34; Mark 1:21 to 2:12, 4:35 to 5:20; Luke 4:14 to 5:11, 7:1 to 17, 8:22 to 40; John 4:43 to 54

Page 78 falls in Part 2, contains the fourth story of six stories, "Teaching the Teachers," this illustration by William Hutchinson, caption reads "After the Passover services had come to an end Jesus slipped away from His parents and went to the Temple to reason with the rabbis. They marveled at His knowledge of the Scriptures."

The word September is derived from the Latin septem, which means "seven," because it used to be the seventh month of the ancient ten-month Roman calendar.


[This post is antedated: 20181007]

Linger (2017)

"Linger" is from the album Something Else released in 2017, the Cranberries' cover of their early 1993 hit. The original single landed 49th on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1994. Something Else is the Cranberries seventh studio album, second after their reunion in 2009, but the last for lead vocalist Dolores O'Riordan, whom we lost this year to accidental drowning.

If you, if you could return
Don't let it burn
Don't let it fade

O'Riordan was born on 06 September 1971, and was the youngest of nine children. But two of her siblings died in infancy, so that makes her the seventh and youngest.

"Ave Maria," O'Riordan's duet with Italian operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti (who passed away 06 September 2007), was played during the service at her funeral in Ireland. In the Roman Catholic calendar, 08 September is appointed feast day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

(As in other sections, for the month of September, liwaliw Sounds plays around the concept of seven, which in Latin is septem, which is where September is derived from.)

[This post is antedated: 20180922]

It was Almost Like a Song

Dateline: 13 September 2018, General Trias, Cavite

"It was Almost Like a Song" the first single and title track of the 11th album of Ronnie Milsap, multiple awardee of the Academy of Country Music, the Country Music Awards, and the country vocal performance category of the Grammys in the 1970s and 1980s. The single peaked its highest on Billboard's adult contemporary charts in the week and year that one of my best friends, Patrick, was born. We lost him in 2011, and in observance of his birth anniversary today this liwaliw Sounds post.

I especially looked at the adult contemporary charts because music like this, pop ballads and slow rock were his type. On our videoke nights, Patrick would sometimes request me to sing some such for him; strangely, he thought my voice was good enough for his type of boyish gush music.


[This post is antedated: 20181008]

SE7EN

Memory Served: Sometime in 1995, Greenbelt Theater, Makati City

The word September is derived from the Latin septem, which means "seven," because the month used to be the seventh of the ancient ten-month Roman calendar. A must for liwaliw Memories to include the film Seven (or as styled in print and onscreen SE7EN), the 1995 neo-noir opus by David Fincher, starred by Hollywood heavyweights Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kevin Spacey. This was the Best Movie pick of the 1996 MTV Movie Awards.

I have a good/bad memory of this film: good for the experience of seeing one of the top-grossers of the year after saving my college allowance to afford the movie ticket, and bad, well, the story and the visuals were traumatizing. I've included here the film's opening sequence, which itself was critically praised and allegedly started (or revived) the trend in distinct production efforts for the opening and/or closing sequences in contemporary film.


[This post is antedated: 20181007]

Remembering that sci-fi feeling

Today we pause to reflect on and remember the victims of September 11 as well as the first responders and journalists who helped share their stories from this day with the world. #NeverForget #September11 pic.twitter.com/qlIjCgUzXA

— Freedom Forum Institute (@FreedomForumIns) September 11, 2018

Memory Served: 11 September 2001, Mandaluyong City

It was an ordinary Tuesday night in the first studio unit we rented together. It was the year I momentarily stopped working for our community-based organization, and went back to freelance PR and events work. It was nearly nine in the evening, I was about to get in bed, while my mind was running to-do things for the next day. I was scheduled to have a meeting with the client for the amateur art competition I was contracted to implement.

My mental check-listing was interrupted. "Look at this," he told me, directing my attention to the television. It was on CNN. One of the towers of the iconic World Trade Center in New York City had a big smoking hole near the top. He and his friends watched a lot of sci-fi, so I had to ask if I was looking at a scene from a film. No. It's really CNN. Live. We watched, mostly in silence, as announcers try to establish facts as they came in from reporters on the scene, what other networks are saying, etc. From time to time, the announcer would say, "for those who have tuned in just now..." (That got annoying after a while.) I couldn't decide whether I was feeling unreal or surreal.

My mind has blurred at the moment, I may not be remembering the next sequence accurately, but in between discussions of whether this is a work of terrorists, the last time WTC was attacked, and unconfirmed reports of something happening in Washington D.C. too, another plane came into the frame and crashed into the other tower. Shock. From the announcers on CNN, and from both of us watching on TV from the other side of the world. This scale of disaster had no precedent in cine verite.

The Youtube video below was what we watched that evening of 11 September 2001 - excluding the TVCs - inside a studio apartment, Barangka Drive, Mandaluyong City, on what was a normal weeknight until that moment past eight, nearly nine in the evening. (Warning: Over one hour long.)





The following day, before my meeting with my client formally started, I attempted to start a conversation about the WTC terrorist attack. She stared at me with that look I'd realize either meant she didn't know what I was talking about, or she had not a single care about it. I thought, just maybe they'd be as shocked and saddened as I had, especially for marketing people who were investing on a project about young people's eyes to the world. My next thought was, I'd need to go back working in civil society to save my humanity.

San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane

Spotted: "Nancy Smith" on Pinterest, after Pinterest search, 10 September 2018

The awe inspiring vault in the church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane in Rome, a masterpiece of Roman Baroque architecture, by Francesco Borromini, once-forgotten genius of the 17th century, was born Francesco Castelli on 25 September 1599.

The church is dedicated to Saint Charles Borromeo, a cardinal and Archbishop of Milan, was ordained priest on 04 September 1563; later canonized a saint by Pope Paul V (who was born Camillo Borghese, 17 September 1550). A prominent figure in the Catholic Church's Counter-Reformation, St. Charles established seminaries, colleges and communities for the education of candidates for holy orders; he is the patron saint of bishops, catechists, cardinals, seminarians, spiritual directors and spiritual leaders.

In the Philippines, San Carlos Seminary, the archdiocesan seminary of the Archdiocese of Manila was turned over to its first Filipino rector in 1973, Oscar V. Cruz, D.D. by then Archbishop of Manila Rufino Cardinal Santos, who passed away on 03 September of that year.

Also in the Philippines, National Teachers Month is celebrated from 05 September to 05 October per Proclamation No. 242 by then President Benigno S. Aquino III.

Latepost: Geometric, Optic

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It's all geometry the nearer you get, works by Aldrino Abes at History\Remix by @galeriejoaquin #smmegamall #mandaluyong #2018gac08

A post shared by Glenn Cruz (@glenncruz_ph) on Sep 3, 2018 at 4:47am PDT

Dateline: 26 August 2018, Art Center, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City

History\Remix, curated and hosted by Galerie Joaquin, featuring Almer Moneda and Aldrino Abes. Exhibited series by Aldrino Abes are shapes arranged into patterns that when viewed from a distance resemble familiar painting scenes. Then, the nearer you get to the paintings, the scenes become less recognizable, the shapes more pronounced.

Went primarily for the Sikat Pinoy Trade Fair at the Megatrade Hall, but not much novelty there for a liwaliw moment. But did get to buy a few more items that I'd later consider giving away as Christmas gifts later this year.


[This post is antedated: 201812007]

The Queen of Soul's "Think"

Memory Served: Sometime between 1980 and 1984, Makati City

A belated tribute to the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, who passed away last 16 August 2018. Tried to remember when I first got acquainted with her music; at least in putting a face to the name and to the voice, her appearance in the 1980s cult classic Blues Brothers was likely the first. Likely, while uncles were watching on betamax (they did watch a lot of betamax then). And likely, the scene was that I was flitting in and out of rooms acting out an imagined adventure when my attention was momentarily caught by Queen Aretha's vocal prowess.

Latepost: Hazard

View this post on Instagram

"Come fly with me." Selah Pods #pasay #2018gac08

A post shared by Glenn Cruz (@glenncruz_ph) on Aug 23, 2018 at 1:12am PDT

Dateline: 23 August 2018, Selah Pods Hotel, Pasay City

Was again assigned to "emcee" or serve as facilitator for a program on occupational safety and health in healthcare facilities, organized by the Patient Safety Program. The seminar-workshop was held at a nearly completed and operational Selah Pods Hotel along F.B. Harrison in Pasay City. Got concerned that we were assigned this venue. Many areas of the hotel were not yet accessible to guests because of ongoing construction... "finishing," one hotel personnel clarified. While our seminar was precisely about workplace safety and health. (Picture me aghast.)


[This post is antedated: 20181007]

"My son, you win the crown"

Memory Served: Sometime between 1976 and 1985, Makati and Las Pinas

For the month of September, I'm thinking of playing with the idea of blogs about "seven" -- its Latin form septem is where September is derived from.

For starters, in liwaliw Memories, the top-of-mind seven concept for a (Classic) Sesame Street kid like me would likely be the Alligator King and his seven sons. The lines "you helped me up when I was down" would deeply resonate to a young kid who wanted the shine of pride in his father's eyes.

This and several animation inserts in Sesame Street were the products of the tandem of Donald Hadley and Bud Luckey, according to Muppet Wiki. (Both have already passed away, Hadley in 2007, Luckey only February this year.) Animation geeks today will also recognize Luckey for his outstanding contributions with Pixar.


[This post is antedated: 20180921]

Blessed Virgin

Spotted: Purchased, 28 July 2018, Ayala Museum, Makati City

"Blessed Virgin" by National Artist Ang Kiukok, a work from the personal collection of National Artist Salvador Bernal, published as greeting cards by the Ayala Museum, a museum run by the Ayala Foundation in Makati City, and whose current building was formally dedicated on the occasion of the 170th anniversary of the Ayala Corporation, 28 September 2004.

In the Roman Catholic calendar, 08 September is appointed feast day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Latepost: Folded unto oneself

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Still got some #selfiecontrol #blulanehotel #manila #2018gac08

A post shared by Glenn Cruz (@glenncruz_ph) on Aug 15, 2018 at 11:35pm PDT

Dateline: 16 August 2018, The Blulane Hotel, Manila

Taken during the workshop to develop information, education and communication (IEC) materials for the Infection Prevention and Control Programs of DOH hospitals. One of the lull moments for a facilitator, when participants have been divided into smaller groups, assigned and instructed with tasks. Was contemplating on how I personally felt split between several work assignments I had to accomplish last August when I saw myself in the mirror like this. Work is a liwaliw killer, but small blessings like a selfie moment still get through from time to time.


[This post is antedated: 20181007]

Latepost: Don't hurry, it's 3D

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Signs of Life by @thisisfroilancalayag, on exhibit at @culturalctrph #manila #2018gac08

A post shared by Glenn Cruz (@glenncruz_ph) on Aug 6, 2018 at 5:26am PDT

Dateline: 05 August 2018, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila

 At the Pasilyo Guillermo Tolentino, or the third floor hallway gallery of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, on exhibit Signs of Life by Froilan Calayag. Calayag's works, which the program brochure referred to as "three-dimensional paintings that called for unhurried viewing and close discovery." Well, good luck with that. The exhibit ran simultaneous with the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, where the CCP filled with visitors hurrying from one film screening to another. I had the time though. I decided not to attend to any screening in Cinemalaya this year.


[This post is antedated: 20180924]

Latepost: Short walk in the market

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At the #cinemalaya market, 4th floor of the @culturalctrph, booth promoting #beastmode starring #barongeisler and #kikomatos #manila #2018gac08

A post shared by Glenn Cruz (@glenncruz_ph) on Aug 6, 2018 at 7:20am PDT

Dateline: 05 August 2018, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila

While I didn't attend to any of the screenings scheduled in Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival this year, I took time to look around some of the simultaneous events at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Like Trenta, Gawad CCP Alternatibo's 30th anniversary exhibition. Then this, the Cinemalaya market, sort of a filmmakers' trade fair. It occupied the hallways of the CCP's fourth floor; not a lot of vendors participated in this initial venture.

Was able to converse briefly at a booth that was promoting Beastmode, starred by Baron Geisler and Kiko Matos. Ugh. Too much testosterone for me. And the publicity stunts they did pre-production were a total turn-off. But these teks cards (i.e. trading cards) caught my attention. Just displayed, not sold, though.


[This post is antedated: 20180923]

Latepost: I'm good with Trenta

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Trenta, at the main gallery of @culturalctrph in #manila #2018gac08

A post shared by Glenn Cruz (@glenncruz_ph) on Aug 6, 2018 at 4:44am PDT

Dateline: 05 August 2018, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila

Visited the Trenta exhibit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Bulwagang Juan Luna, the main gallery. The exhibition, which to my impression only occupied half of the main gallery, celebrates 30 years of the Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video. Meanwhile, outside the main gallery, the CCP is almost overflowing with attendees moving in and out of the many screenings of the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.

This (above) installation of many drawings of Munch's Scream, as explained, "Animation scenes from Manila Scream with Blair Camilo and Bob Macabenta from Cinema Regla." Beside this, a so-called "12 Commandments of Independent Filmmakers."

The exhibit's brochure included "10 Things About the CCP Gawad Alternatibo," as follows:

1. It's the longest-running shorts competition in Asia
2. It mirrors the relentless forward thrust of technology
3. It's a jumping point for many key figure in the Pinoy film scene
4. It reflects the shifting themes/narratives/issues of Pinoy culture
5. It promoted the then fledgling regional cinema
6. It helped create awareness of and interest for the short film form
7. It reconfigured the meaning of Pinoy independent cinema
8. It paved the way for bigger and better things, like Cinemalaya
9. It proved you could do things just for the love of it
10. Finally, CCP Gawad Alternatibo - it's only just begun

Cinemalaya is allegedly Gawad CCP Alternatibo's larger younger sister. It just feels too crowded, too demanding, and energy depleting. So I'm good with just Trenta at the moment.


[This post is antedated: 20180924]