My parents, Melvin Montes Oloris and Maria Angeli Novals Rafols-Oloris, will be having their first church wedding after more than 20 years of being together. Just a brief storytelling on how they got to know each other: my mother’s family used to live in Talisay, Cebu while my father’s in Manila since birth. She earned a degree in Accountancy at the University of San Carlos and, after graduating, went to Manila to work for LBC—a courier company. My father, who wasn’t able to finish his degree in Mechanical Engineering at Mapua Institute of Technology due to financial problems, also worked for LBC that time. At that very office, in those times, they blossomed and exchanged love to each other. I don’t know if I must treat it seriously but my father related [to us] that they got married after almost five months of being in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. If that may be validated true, then WOW! Now, they’ve got four children (and can never be added!) to which I am the second oldest.

The wedding will be at Sto. Niño de Molino Parish Church at Bahayang Pag-asa. The reception will be at a garden resort inside our subdivision of Springville City. Wait, did I mentioned that it will be on April 4?

Cheers to both of them! :)

The UP Painters’ Club, a student organization in University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), is calling entries for their open art exhibition OPUS ELBI: Isandaang Sining—Salamin sa Isandaang Taon ng UPLB from various UPLB constituents.

Current students, faculties and staffs, and alumni may join together with constituents of establishments and institutions housed inside the campus premises and in affiliation with the university is eligible to join.

Participants can submit up to three artworks ranging from drawings, paintings, prints, photographs, mixed media, digital art, to sculptures with sizes limited to 10 inches by 10 inches to 3 feet by 3 feet and 50 cubic feet (for sculptures).

Submitted artworks must have necessary information at the back and be submitted from August 4 to 7, 2009 at Makiling Ballroom, SU Building, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

The exhibition shall feature 100 artworks and will be open from August 25 to September 18, 2009 (weekdays and Saturdays), 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the two Sunken Lobbies of the Student Union Building.

The show is in cooperation with the UPLB Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts and the UPLB Office of Student Affairs and is in line with the centennial celebration of UPLB.

For complete mechanics of participation, follow this link: Mechanics. To see its mechanics poster, click here.

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Opus Elbi official website at Multiply.

Because of reasons that time limits me in updating my weblog and that subjects that point my interests are wide-ranging, add it the fact that I have more than 10 drafts of unpublished blog entries which I cannot, anymore, post, I have decided to change the nature of my blog entries from this point in time. Much time had I spent to think about what will appear of my weblog until finally I came to a result which is as follow:

My weblog will be limited to these subjects:

1. Visual arts – particularly visual arts scene in the Philippines but with strong emphasis in the soon-to-be “Art Municipality” of Science and Nature City Los Baños.
2. Civil Engineering – advancements in civil engineering throughout the world with strong emphasis on construction updates in the Philippines—particularly in the National Capital Region.
3. Architecture – flamboyant designs by big-time individual architects or architectural firm that limits on low-rises.
4. UP Painters’ Club – activities and updates from my organization at the University of the Philippines Los Baños.
5. Travel and personal updates – tales of my travels and personal accounts.

My weblog title, Convivial Recluse: A Hermit’s Egress, shall not be changed.

Each entries shall have headings in 778 x 50 pixels as follows:

Entries shall be provided with sources complete with links and proper citation.

The official font style is still Arial in size 10.

Music feeds shall be removed for formality.

Please be guided, accordingly.

Wooh! It’s good thing I was able to update my Windows Live. My oh my, the new update literally left my mouth drooling. Windows really captured what I want—they’re setting a new brand of cool web designs. Their first set of Windows Live template or layout or interface or whatever you call it have captivated my high standard and now that they have updated their interface, they’d even captivated my higher-than-before standard. Wow.

The Internet Explorer 8 is also phenomenal. I love it.

As for my weblog, I have not much leisure of time to update it. Man, I am currently preparing myself to paint artworks for entries to GSIS and MADE painting competition. That three since I plan to also join the non-representational category of GSIS.

Good luck to me. :) The pot money’s too big and would be a huge help to our upcoming exhibition this August. :)

Just to bring activity to my blog, I may have to post one of the many writings of Carlos P. Romulo.

I AM A FILIPINO by Carlos P. Romulo

I am a Filipino - inheritor of a glorious past, hostage to the uncertain future. As such I must prove equal to a two-fold task- the task of meeting my responsibility to the past, and the task of performing my obligation to the future. I sprung from a hardy race - child of many generations removed of ancient Malayan pioneers. Across the centuries, the memory comes rushing back to me: of brown-skinned men putting out to sea in ships that were as frail as their hearts were stout. Over the sea I see them come, borne upon the billowing wave and the whistling wind, carried upon the mighty swell of hope- hope in the free abundance of new land that was to be their home and their children’s forever.

This is the land they sought and found. Every inch of shore that their eyes first set upon, every hill and mountain that beckoned to them with a green and purple invitation, every mile of rolling plain that their view encompassed, every river and lake that promise a plentiful living and the fruitfulness of commerce, is a hollowed spot to me.

By the strength of their hearts and hands, by every right of law, human and divine, this land and all the appurtenances thereof - the black and fertile soil, the seas and lakes and rivers teeming with fish, the forests with their inexhaustible wealth in wild life and timber, the mountains with their bowels swollen with minerals - the whole of this rich and happy land has been, for centuries without number, the land of my fathers. This land I received in trust from them and in trust will pass it to my children, and so on until the world no more.

I am a Filipino. In my blood runs the immortal seed of heroes - seed that flowered down the centuries in deeds of courage and defiance. In my veins yet pulses the same hot blood that sent Lapulapu to battle against the alien foe that drove Diego Silang and Dagohoy into rebellion against the foreign oppressor.

That seed is immortal. It is the self-same seed that flowered in the heart of Jose Rizal that morning in Bagumbayan when a volley of shots put an end to all that was mortal of him and made his spirit deathless forever; the same that flowered in the hearts of Bonifacio in Balintawak, of Gergorio del Pilar at Tirad Pass, of Antonio Luna at Calumpit; that bloomed in flowers of frustration in the sad heart of Emilio Aguinaldo at Palanan, and yet burst fourth royally again in the proud heart of Manuel L. Quezon when he stood at last on the threshold of ancient Malacañang Palace, in the symbolic act of possession and racial vindication.

The seed I bear within me is an immortal seed. It is the mark of my manhood, the symbol of dignity as a human being. Like the seeds that were once buried in the tomb of Tutankhamen many thousand years ago, it shall grow and flower and bear fruit again. It is the insigne of my race, and my generation is but a stage in the unending search of my people for freedom and happiness.

I am a Filipino, child of the marriage of the East and the West. The East, with its languor and mysticism, its passivity and endurance, was my mother, and my sire was the West that came thundering across the seas with the Cross and Sword and the Machine. I am of the East, an eager participant in its struggles for liberation from the imperialist yoke. But I also know that the East must awake from its centuried sleep, shape of the lethargy that has bound his limbs, and start moving where destiny awaits.

For, I, too, am of the West, and the vigorous peoples of the West have destroyed forever the peace and quiet that once were ours. I can no longer live, being apart from those world now trembles to the roar of bomb and cannon shot. For no man and no nation is an island, but a part of the main, there is no longer any East and West - only individuals and nations making those momentous choices that are hinges upon which history resolves.

At the vanguard of progress in this part of the world I stand - a forlorn figure in the eyes of some, but not one defeated and lost. For through the thick, interlacing branches of habit and custom above me I have seen the light of the sun, and I know that it is good. I have seen the light of justice and equality and freedom and my heart has been lifted by the vision of democracy, and I shall not rest until my land and my people shall have been blessed by these, beyond the power of any man or nation to subvert or destroy.

I am a Filipino, and this is my inheritance. What pledge shall I give that I may prove worthy of my inheritance? I shall give the pledge that has come ringing down the corridors of the centuries, and it shall be compounded of the joyous cries of my Malayan forebears when they first saw the contours of this land loom before their eyes, of the battle cries that have resounded in every field of combat from Mactan to Tirad pass, of the voices of my people when they sing:

Land of the Morning, Child of the sun returning… Ne’er shall invaders Trample thy sacred shore.

Out of the lush green of these seven thousand isles, out of the heartstrings of sixteen million people all vibrating to one song, I shall weave the mighty fabric of my pledge. Out of the songs of the farmers at sunrise when they go to labor in the fields; out of the sweat of the hard-bitten pioneers in Mal-ig and Koronadal; out of the silent endurance of stevedores at the piers and the ominous grumbling of peasants Pampanga; out of the first cries of babies newly born and the lullabies that mothers sing; out of the crashing of gears and the whine of turbines in the factories; out of the crunch of ploughs upturning the earth; out of the limitless patience of teachers in the classrooms and doctors in the clinics; out of the tramp of soldiers marching, I shall make the pattern of my pledge:

“I am a Filipino born of freedom and I shall not rest until freedom shall have been added unto my inheritance - for myself and my children’s children - forever.

Updates of my weblog will be next month. Thank you!

Our family went to Boracay last 3rd day to 6th day of November 2008. I have little reason not to join since we're booked since first week of October (not even my toil for my then eight percent-finished artwork). For this time around, I need not to discuss what had happened there just like in our trip to Bohol and Cebu here. I'll just show you some of our (or my) pictures there. This time, the images will have no link to my Webshots account since it would be too tedious for my part.

Enjoy!

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CAMERA-WHORING AT NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (TERMINAL 3)

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BORACAY BEACH CHALETS: WHERE WE STAYED FOR FOUR DAYS

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BORACAY ISLAND

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MISCELLANEOUS

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That four days was really relaxing. It somehow delved me out of thoughts of our upcoming exhibit. For the record, this was my first time coming to this paradise. Yes, it was paradise... as compared to other great beaches... so far, nothing beats Boracay (although I am confident that Palawan will only kick Boracay's butt).

Next stop: Coron, Sagada or Pagudpud.

PHOTO CREDIT. All images posted here are taken by me using a camera used at my father's office. In addition, these are post-enhanced. Anyway, I'm still learning in photography. I hope that my father will learn of my talent in photography and buy me an SLR.

I am listening to Kimi no Koe (theme song of the anime movie "The Place We Promised In Our Early Days" by Makoto Shinkai) for 20 times, according to my estimation, while writing this blog entry. Man, I really really love this song.

by Marvin Angelo R. Oloris

In the world of Philippine art, this final quarter of the year were very much dominated by the name of one dead artist: Fernando Amorsolo. With seven of Metro Manila's biggest museum and galleries--with participation of Metropolitan Museum of Manila's satellite galleries and local galleries in schools and universities in Manila--coming together in a very big celebration of his works, that would really hit the visual arts airwaves.

Of course, University of the Philippines Los Baños' Sining Makiling Gallery, UP system's first legitimate art gallery*, will not be left behind, especially if its curator is one of today's most-respected senior artist who is known internationally as Junyee.

Alas, something bad happened that served Junyee's first in his professional career as an artist.

His Art, Our Heart: The Amorsolo Retrospective

This grand exhibition was conceptualized to celebrate the Philippines' first National Artist and first National Artist for Painting, Fernando Amorsolo. With the Metrobank Group and Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation as its presenters, this show is dubbed as the most important art collaboration in the Philippine art scene in recent history as seven major museum and galleries in Metro Manila gathered their collections of Amorsolo paintings in hopes to cultivate a deeper understanding of Filipino culture and values as seen through the eyes of Amorsolo--depicting fervent idealism, a sense of community, the respect of women, the love of beauty, the dignity of hard work, and a celebration of our country’s history. These seven museums are the Ayala Museum, GSIS Museum of Art, Lopez Memorial Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Manila, National Art Gallery of the National Museum of the Philippines, UP Jorge Vargas Museum and Filipiniana Research Center, and Yuchengco Museum.

The participation of Sining Makiling Gallery

The Metropolitan Museum of Manila, assigned with the theme "bayANInanding: The Motherland and the Harvest of Maestro Amorsolo", planned to also mount diverse subjects for the Amorsolo Retrospective through its twenty satellite galleries spread from Luzon to Mindanao. One of them is the Sining Makiling Gallery at the Dioscoro L. Umali Hall in University of the Philippines Los Baños, curated by the university's artist-in-residence Luis Enano Yee, Jr.--known in the art circle as Junyee. The gallery was given the theme "Makiling" because of its proximity to the legendary mountain of Mount Makiling. With the Sining Makiling Gallery unexpectedly vacant for the last days of November until January next year, Junyee decided to put up the show right after the Syjuco's exhibition on November 27, 2008.

The UP Painters' Club in the scene

With all the bliss the UP Painters' Club have had during the opening of its Labing-Isang Daliri 2008 on the month of September, Junyee, one of the invited guest, doubled it up as he announced his decision to brought up amateur UPLB artists to limelight by considering their participation in the upcoming exhibition. This time, the UP Painters' Club will be in its forefront since Junyee has been looking at the organization for years and has seen its members' exceptional talents.

The preparation

Junyee then scheduled meeting the organization to discuss about its participation to the exhibit. Right after the weekly general assembly, members of the organization quickly proceeded to the Sining Makiling Gallery for the agreed schedule of meeting. Alas, Junyee had forgotten about it and, to the order of the previous director Maurice Alcantara, scheduled a second meeting. The second meeting was scheduled 8:30 PM, Tuesday at the same place. Nevertheless, Junyee already left when the group members came. On its third meeting, now scheduled 7:00 PM, Tuesday at the same place, again, Junyee already left by 6:30. All-in-all, there has been three failed meetings--three weeks of delayed time in conceptualizing and making the artwork.

The finals week has neared, the organization decided to send three representatives--me, Ariel Aragoncillo and Niko Cedicol--to meet with Junyee and discuss everything once and for all. The meeting has been a success. At that moment, the organization committed at least 25 artworks (considering that, through conservative count, only half of resident members can be trusted to submit and at most ten coming from alumni members). There, to our knowledge, Junyee had all the previous two meetings set at 6:00 PM. Who was it to blame, then?

No more general assemblies--even the emergency one--happened since then. The first one should have been after organization's semender but was canceled due to a morning rain. Every members was in their academic senses because its finals week, hence general assemblies did not came in being. So, in order to compensate for that, the next Director, Marvin Angelo Oloris (me), took over and decided to horde in series of text messages, bulletin posts, group messages, and emails to inform all the organization's resident and alumni members--not the usual formal meetings but they have become the final resorts.

Many members responded--especially those who were present in the September exhibit's opening ceremony. By that time, five weeks after the deadline of submission, members began to order canvas by group. After the last day of exams (three and a half weeks after the deadline of submission), with the leisure of semestral break in hand, the committed members (all 17 while other members provided their own canvas) have all their canvasses.

The bad news

Then the bad news. For the start of registration for the next semester (that's one week before the deadline of submission) it happened that only four people--me, Ariel, Khrisna Nañola, Doi Padalhin, Nathz Carpena and Kulay Labitigan--were able to start working with their artworks during the semestral break. With the news dispersed, few concerned members then began to do their artworks.

On the deadline period, the organization only managed to submit 12 artworks. It's a dismal number--one-half short of what has been committed. For the succeeding three days, only two added to that number--making up our magic number 14. By that date, no one in the organization, even those who had committed, ever planned to add their contributions.

On the Saturday of that week, Junyee visited the Sining Makiling Gallery to take a look at the submitted artworks and do initial plans for the set-up tomorrow [that day]. As expected, he was disappointed. He then canceled the set-up for tomorrow and, instead, pushed for another deadline at Tuesday--two days before the exhibition's opening.

Additional disappointment: not one in the organization grabbed the extension. On that day, Tuesday, November 25, two days before the big day, Junyee postponed the exhibition.

Ang eksena sa likod ng lahat

Malaki ang asang nilaan sa atin ni Junyee matapos ang pakikipag-usap namin sa kanya sa kanilang tirahan. Higit pa n'yang pinagtitibay na TANGING ang organisasyon natin ang makikinabang sa pagpapalabas na mangyayari. Pagkatapos kong maipakalat sa lahat ng miyembro ang tungkol dito (sa abot ng aking makakaya at mga tumulong sa akin), marami ang nagsabing gagawa ng kanilang obra--oo nga't naging masyado maligaya ang mga miyembro noong ibalita ni Junyee na tayo's isasali n'ya sa isang malakihang pagpapalabas. Sa totoo lang, kung uungkatin ko ang pag-uusap namin, nag-aalala pa si Junyee na baka mapuno natin ang kanyang gallery. Hindi n'ya nais na humigit ng 40 obra ang isasabit n'ya... ayaw n'yang magmukhang palengke ang kanyang exhibit. Kaya't 25 obra lamang ang maibibigay natin--na kaya natin, sana.

Pagkaraan n'yo'y si Ma'am Yee na lamang ang kinakausap ko ukol sa ating partisipasyon at, sa higit na mahabang oras, ang planong Opus Elbi para sa sentenaryo ng UPLB. Dito ako napukol masyado sa pagbisita sa DL Umali Hall.

Sa akin, sa buong bakasyong 'yon, naging panatag ako na gumagawa ang mga miyembro. Na habang nagpipinta ako sa bahay nami'y ang iba nama'y nagpipinta rin sa kanilang tirahan. Hindi na ako ga'nong nagtetext sa mga miyembro sa pag-aakalang sila'y maiistorbo ko lamang. Panatag din naman ako dahil palagiang sinasabihan ni Ariel ang mga miyembro sa nalalapit na pasahan.

Yun na nga lamang ang lungkot na nangyari nang malaman kong iilan lang pala ang gumawa. Narinig ko ang mga dahilan ng marami; ang iba'y katanggap-tanggap ngunit sa iba nama'y hindi ko maintindihan. Sa loob ko, umasa pa rin ako na sa nalalabing pitong araw ay makagagawa ang karamihan ng nakapagsabing magpapasa--kumpiyansa naman ako sa kakayahan ng miyembro sa pagmamadali ng mga trabaho. 'Di na rin nagtanong sila Junyee dahil tiwala sila sa atin.

Pasahan na... labing-dalawa pa lamang ang nakapagpasa--ang iba pa rito'y produkto ng pagmamadali. Sa puntong iyo'y nakikita ko na ang mga mangyayaring 'di kanais-nais... lalo na sa 'kin bilang lider ng grupong ito. Naghinaing pa ako sa mga hahabol ngunit, sa lahat-lahat, labing-apat lamang naipasa natin. Sa puntong 'yon, marami nang miyembro ang nakaunawa kung gaano kalaking kapalpakan ang nagawa ng organisasyon.

Tama, naging palpak tayo.

Lumipas na ang pag-aayos sana ng lugar ng pagpapalabas... sa huli'y napagdesisyunan na ngang i-postpone na lamang ang exhibit. Dito na ako kinausap ni Junyee.

Propesyonal ang aming pag-uusap. Ngunit hindi pa rin maikakait kung ga'nong sakit ang nararamdaman ni Junyee sa nangyari. Itinuring n'yang anak ang mga miyembro ng organisasyon natin--noon pang maging tagapayo s'ya natin hanggang sa pagpapaloob nila ng tulong pangpinansiyal sa lahat ng pagpapalabas pambiswal natin. Hindi n'ya malaman kung bakit sila na nga ang nagbigay ng napakalaking pagkakataon sa grupo natin na ipakita ang ating talento at magyabang--oo, magyabang--ay hindi pa natin kinagat. Minsan naiisip n'yang ang tingin natin sa kanila'y mga tipong kinakausap lang natin sa tuwing magdadaos tayo ng ating exhibit--tila isa lamang ordinaryong tao. Minsan naiisip n'yang mukha tayong mga hari na masasaad lamang sa atin kung ano ang ikatatakbo ng exhibit na 'yon. Hindi rin n'ya matarok kung pa'nong nagkulang tayo sapagkat hindi naman tayo mga high-school student lamang na pwede pang pagbigyan--tayo'y matatanda na.

'Yan ay ilan sa mga isinabog n'ya sa akin na nag-iwan ng ilang tulo ng luha sa aking mata. Tinanggap ko lahat ng 'yon. Pinakinggan ko s'ya. Nakakatuwa ngang isipin na ito, sa harapan ko, isang napakalaking tao sa mundo ng sining, ay nagsasabi sa 'kin ng gano'n. Ngunit pinanatili pa rin n'ya ang kanyang propesyonal na tayo... na pagsasalita. Si Junyee, sa lahat ng tao, ay kinamamanghaan ko ng todo. Isa s'yang taong hindi kaagad nagpapadala sa kanyang damdamin. Propesyonal, ika nga.

Doon (kahit na sa karamihan ng aming pag-uusap ay inaasahan ko na) ko nakita ng husto kung gaanong kalaki ang disgrasya nagawa ng kapalpakan natin. Doon, sa lahat ng bagay, nakita ko ng husto kung papaanong ang organisasyo'y hindi nagawang maging responsable. Doon ko nakita na hindi pa handa ang organisasyon sa pagbabago tungo sa ikaaangat nito.

Lubos akong naliligayahan na napalapit na ang loob namin nila Junyee at Ma'am Yee. Kahit pa na sa mga bandang huli ng aming pag-uusap ay may bahid na ng lungkot at, kung sasaloobin ay, pagkayamot, hindi naman naging malayo ang pag-uusap namin sa ibang bagay--naging mainit pa rin.

Napakapropesyonal nilang tao. Marami akong natutunan. Marami silang itinuro sa akin. Totoo nga, mga anak na nga ang turing nila sa atin... masuwerte ako at naramdaman ko 'yon at gusto ko sanang lahat ng miyembro ay magkaroon ng pribilehiyong makausap sila... makilala. Pakiramdam ko'y sila ang nagbigay ng matinding impluwensya sa akin ngayon. Isa ito sa mga pangyayaring 'di ko malilimutan sa aking buhay.

The damaging effects

Our shortcomings led to rippling damages. First, the director of Metropolitan Museum of Manila, Mr. Zarrudo, a very respected man in the field of visual arts, has to postpone its visit as a guest speaker. The man, according to Junyee, was very busy and the gallery is really lucky that he found time amongst his tight schedule to come a long way to Los Baños. Second, the invited artists and arts enthusiasts--all acquainted to Junyee--from Manila will be contacted one-by-one to inform them of the exhibit's postponement. Third, Junyee's name will be at risk, considering how he's been regarded one of the best artists the Philippines produced and how he's respected internationally. Fourth, the Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts had sought the release of 5,000 pesos from the Office of the Chancellor for the production of invitation letters and posters. Fifth, the OICA, could not, anymore, sought any amount from the Chancellor considering that they were now in question on the how in the world the exhibit was postponed. Sixth, being Junyee the biggest people in Los Baños of arts hence connection with him will be very golden, the organization will find difficulty in dealing with the OICA and the National Arts Center. Seventh, the postponement will also lead to the moving of schedule of individual shows already lined up at the Sining Makiling Gallery. According to Ma'am Yee, "these are the repercussions of what had happened. We have nothing to do with what already happened. What's important is to fix what will happen." Eighth, the reputation of the UP Painters' Club will be badly wounded. And ninth, the preparation for the exhibit will now coincide with the final week of application process that could lead to overworked members.

Second chance

Our last discussion ended up to ways on how the organization could, at least, make up for its failure. He reiterated that we have made a serious cut with our relationship to them and that any amount of artworks that we will submit cannot make up for it. For now, the organization needs to help in its rebuilding and to realize the second date of exhibition, which is on January 8, 2009.

1. The organization will have to help the OICA in editing all the 5,000 pesos-worth of invitation letters;
2. Distribution of the invitation letters and posters and verbal announcements around UPLB;
3. The organization will be the one in-charged labeling our artworks to be exhibited;
4. Pass more artworks which its deadline set on December 18, 2008;
5. Provide at least four members to join and help him in setting-up the exhibit; and
6. All members will attend the opening ceremony.

Other ways (indirect) that the organization could do to, at least, apply bandage to the cut is to strengthen visual arts in the campus, visit Junyee's show at Galleria Duemila (that's one thing he lamented to me: not one member have visited his show there) and his upcoming individual show next year, and, although short term, support Amorsolo's Makiling all the way until closing.

Working together

This experience is such that needs be learned well and will not happen again. Until today, I am seeking the help of all the members of the organization who had pledge under its constitution to work hand-in-hand in regaining their confidence--that is, fostering fellowship among artists.

About the writer

Marvin Angelo Rafols Oloris is currently, upon this article's publication, a 4th year BS Civil Engineering student of the University of the Philippines Los Baños. He joined UP Painters' Club, a student organization focusing on visual arts, on the first semester of academic year 2007-2008. He served as Records Committee Head for two semester under the directorship of Maurice Alcantara until voted Director of the organization--serving from 2nd semester of AY 2008-2009 to 1st semester of AY 2009-2010.

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*According to Dr. Marites G. Yee, the current director of UPLB Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts and current senior adviser of UP Painters' Club.
**Here's the other Metropolitan Museum satellite exhibits: Museo Iloilo; The Museum at De La Salle University-Manila; Museo Ilocos Norte; Tayabas Studies and Creative Writing Center, Quezon; Museo Negrense De La Salle, Bacolod City; Legazpi City Museum, Albay; Baguio Mountain Provinces Museum; St. Louis University Museum of Arts and Cultures, Baguio City; Museo San Ysidro de Pulilan, Bulacan; UST Museum of Arts and Sciences, Davao Museum of History and Ethnography; Casa Gorordo Museum, Cebu City; Holy Angel University Center for Kapampangan Studies, Angeles City; Vigan Culture and Trade Center, Ilocos Sur; Bahay Nakpil-Bautista, Quiapo; Central Luzon Agricultural Museum, Nueva Ecija, Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Museum, Dipolog City; Sining Makiling Gallery, UP Los Baños; and The Second Gallery, Angono, Rizal.

"UP did not participate in THES-QS University Rankings"

That's the new article entry that stumbled upon me at the UP system and UPLB website this midnight. It's pretty hilarious that Ateneo de Manila University really took this THES-QS survey seriously. Just check their (Ateneo) profile at Top Universities. At least, their effort paved way as they surpassed UP--that is, according to this measly ranking. It's best for President Emerlinda Roman to disregard the THES-QS since many universities, most of them also included in their list, imposed questions and found conclusions that clearly sees the incompetence of their methodologies. Should we say that this thing is of low-profile and of disservice to what this survey wants? I guess so. More to that "I guess", I guess it's better for you to read two of the articles posted at the special features section of the UP system website.

 

Only two RP universities made it to the world’s 500 best; but must the rankings be taken seriously?

Sunday, August 3, 2008
Alicor L. Panao

No doubt everyone wants to score well in a beauty contest for academic institutions. But should a university’s worth be judged on reputation alone?

In the recently released 2007 Times Higher Education survey only two Philippine universities made it to its list of the world’s top 500. The University of the Philippines, the national university, was ranked at 398, about a hundred notches down from its 2006 rank of 299. Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University came in at 451. The University of Santo Tomas and the De La Salle University, which were both included in the 2006 list, dropped from the radar.

It did not take long for the media reports to elicit reactions from academicians, policymakers and alumni. Journalists and columnists pitched their own speculations as to what has been dragging down the country’s universities. However, the question that was not being asked was: what was the basis of the ranking?

Published by The Times Higher Education Supplement in collaboration with Quacquarelli Symonds (THES-QS), the rankings are meant supposedly to serve as “the definitive guide to universities around the world which truly excel.” In evaluating institutions, however, the THES-QS computes half of the index based on its reputation as perceived by academics (peer review, 40%) and global employers (recruiter review, 10%). Since it is not specified who were surveyed or what questions were asked, the methodology is obviously vulnerable to manipulation.

Even peers need some standardized input data to review. But according to the October 2007 study International Ranking Systems for Universities and Institutions: A Critical Appraisal published in BioMed Central, the Times simply asks 190,000 experts to list what they regard as the top 30 universities in their field of expertise without offering input data on any performance indicators. Moreover, the survey response rate among the selected experts was found to be below 1%. In other words, on the basis of possible selection biases alone the validity of the measurement is shaky.

The other half of the index is based on such indicators as student-to-faculty ratio, the number of foreign faculty and students in the university, and the number of academic works by university researchers that have been cited internationally. Data for these indicators, however, typically depend on the information that participating institutions submit. An institution’s index, in other words, may be easily distorted if the institution fails to submit data for the pertinent indicators, or if it chooses not to participate.

According to UP Vice President for Public Affairs Dr. Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, the University of the Philippines manifested its refusal to participate in THES-QS survey in writing as early as July 2007 because Times could not explain where it got the figures on which UP’s rank was based in 2006. In response to UP’s objection, however, Quacquarelli Symonds research assistant Saad Shabbir simply wrote back that if it did not receive the information by the deadline then it would be “forced to use last year’s data or some form of average.”

Apparently for the QS researchers, old data would do—data that had been questioned precisely because its source was dubious. UP has not participated in any international survey of academic institutions since 2000. To date, the country’s National University has neither released official statistics for survey purposes nor consented to any survey undertaking by a local or international body.

Ateneo de Manila University, whose current rank was supposedly an improvement from last year, cautions its alumni and the public to view the results with some degree of prudence. In her comments on the 2007 THES-QS survey published in the Ateneo de Manila University website, Vice President for the Loyola Schools Dr. Ma. Assunta C. Cuyengkeng writes that the rankings do not even reflect Ateneo’s vision and mission. Instead of getting distracted, Cuyengkeng encourages its community to work instead towards strengthening the leadership and excellence of faculty and students as its contribution to national development.

Interestingly, THES-QS are causing quite a stir in other higher education institutions in many countries, not necessarily because of the controversial rankings it annually publishes, but because of what some experts deride as its remarkable flair for making mistakes.

The University of Malaya’s (UM) decline from 89 in 2004 to 169 in 2005, for instance, caused a political turmoil in Malaysia and cost the career of one of the university’s Vice Chancellors. It turned out that QS had counted all the Malaysian Chinese and Malaysian Indians as foreign students (one of the criteria in their rankings) in 2004. According to The Star on a Nov. 18, 2005 news report, QS was apparently under the impression that a larger number of foreigners were studying and teaching at UM when actually there were just a lot of Malaysian citizens of Indian and Chinese descent. QS tried to correct this mistake in 2005, resulting to a steep drop in the university’s ranking.

Meanwhile, between 2004 and 2005 Duke University’s rank rose dramatically in the THES-QS survey, thanks to a nasty clerical error. Duke was listed to have 6,244 faculty members, which was well beyond what the university had declared on its website. It turned out, according to Prof. Richard Holmes of the MARA University of Technology in Malaysia, that this was the number of undergraduate students enrolled at Duke in the fall of 2005. Obviously, somebody made the mistake of copying the figure for undergrad students and counted them as faculty, giving Duke four times the number of faculty it actually had.

Quacquarelli Symonds is relatively new in the ranking business but the impact of its surveys can be far-reaching. Some institutions use their results—their methodological flaws notwithstanding—as basis for the distribution of finances over departments and to bolster rivalries among institutions. The October 2007 BioMed study cautions that this could actually be more harmful to science and education and may even encourage global brain drain. For instance, if ranking affects funding policies, institutions and scientists may seek to excel only in the specific criteria used to determine excellence.

There is no debate about the importance of defining, measuring, interpreting and improving institutional excellence. But current international rankings contained in the THES-QS cannot be taken seriously until it establishes its own credibility with the academic community.

UP did not participate in the THES-QS university rankings

Friday, October 17, 2008

In the 2008 university rankings recently released by the Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) and Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the University of the Philippines rose from 398 in 2007 to 276 this year. Ateneo de Manila University rose from 401-500 to 254. De La Salle University was ranked 415th and the University of Santo Tomas was ranked 470th.

This is the third year that such a survey has been conducted and its results given prominence by local dailies. But according to UP Vice President for Public Affairs Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, UP has never agreed to participate in this survey. In fact, this year, President Emerlinda R. Roman did not even receive an invitation to be a part of it. Nor did she receive any questionnaire to answer.

What she did receive was an email message from QS Asia Regional Director (Asia Pacific), Mandy Mok, informing her that UP had “gone up in the rankings” for 2008. The email also contained an invitation to buy “an attractive package” from THES-QS. The “package price,” which includes a banner on topuniversities.com, a full page full color ad in Top Universities Guide 2009, and a booth at Top Universities Fair 2009, amounts to $48,930.

Since UP was not invited to participate and therefore had not provided any data, UP officials do not know where and how the figures were obtained on which the ranking was based, Hidalgo said.

“UP can hardly be expected to spend more than 2 million pesos on publicity for itself involving a survey conducted by an organization that refuses to divulge where it obtains its data,” she added.

In 2007, UP was invited to participate in the survey, but when THES-QS refused to explain where it obtained the data used to determine UP’s rank in the 2006 survey, university officials decided not to accept the invitation to be part of the 2007 survey. In 2006, UP was ranked No. 299, and Ateneo was ranked No. 500.

UP wrote THES-QS in July 2007, informing them of UP’s decision not to be a part of the survey; and again in September 2007, requesting the organization to respect UP’s decision. In response, research assistant Saad Shabir wrote back saying that if it did not receive the information it would be “forced to use last year’s data or some form of average.”

Surveys and rankings obviously have their usefulness. But, as the National University—status officially granted to it with its new Charter on its centennial year—UP feels that before it agrees to participate in such an exercise, it must carefully examine the indices by which it is to be evaluated. It also needs to be convinced about the reliability of the methodology used in the exercise. 

The THES-QS ranking is supposedly meant to serve as “the definitive guide to universities around the world which truly excel.” In evaluating institutions it computes half of the index based on its reputation as perceived by academics (peer review 40%) and global employers (recruiter review 10%). Since it does not specify who are surveyed or what questions are asked, the methodology is problematic.

In an earlier statement released in August this year, and carried by several national dailies, UP said: “Even peers require standardized input data to review. But according to the International Ranking Systems for Universities and Institutions: A Critical Appraisal, published by BioMed Central, the Times simply asks 190,000 ‘experts’ to list what they regard as the top 30 universities in their field of expertise without providing input data on any performance indicators. Moreover, the survey response rate among selected experts was found to be below 1%. In other words, on the basis of possible selection biases alone, the validity of the measurement is shaky.”

According to the statement, the other half of the index is based on such indicators as student-to faculty ratio, the number of foreign faculty and foreign students in the university, and the number of citations in internationally accredited publications. “Data for these indicators depend on the information that participating institutions submit. An institution’s index may be easily distorted if it fails to submit data for the pertinent indicators, or if it chooses not to participate.”

That's quite a stir. It the coming months or so, I may witness most Ateneans in bliss with this tainted news or that it could be their form of banner in every showoffs. I hope to read from respected columnists of daily newspapers, hear commentaries on the radio and the television, and absorb reactions from constituents of these four Philippine universities included in the list.

I am listening to Susumu Hirasawa's In The Square and Indra while typing this blog entry.

PATRIO-T-OURISM: “Only in the Philippines”

While the potential is boundless for tourism to become a growth engine for the country, it remains underoptimized. We salute the accomplishments of the Hon. Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano and his dedicated team for having attracted 3 Million foreign tourists in 2007, and we support their aspirations to generate US$5 Billion in 2008, but we also lament the fact we still trail our Asian neighbors. What can we all do to boost tourism?

The answer does not lie in foreigners, but in us. We will never achieve a quantum leap of growth in foreign tourists or dollar receipts if we do not first achieve a quantum leap in our patriotism and love for our countrymen. We cannot expect to attract foreign visitors to our country if we ourselves continue to leave in droves. Before we expect others to fall in love with the Philippines, we must first rekindle our love for our country. This is a must to the success of any human endeavor. Noone can sell what he or she does not love.

Excessive Negativism

Secretary Ace Durano has been tireless in campaigning overseas, but sadly, his efforts and that of his team seem to be undermined – not by other countries, but ironically, by our own negative news reporting. All the negative journalism and pessimistic editorials, government scams and showbiz scandals, conflicts and controversies characteristic of media sensationalism have gotten so bad that not a few neighboring Asian countries now use our bad news as their own headlines. We may enjoy press freedom as a democracy, but at the cost of scaring away tourists and frightening foreign investors; at the risk of disillusioning our youth and accelerating the diaspora. The influence of media in forming lasting perceptions is so profound in today’s borderless world, driven by modern information and communications technology so we must be mindful of its consequences.

Perception and Reality

Today, the Philippines is already perceived across the globe as a country suffering from incurable graft and corruption, an endless communist insurgency and a worsening Muslim secessionist movement, unsolved kidnappings and criminality that has resulted in anarchy in the streets. This is mostly perception, not reality, or half-truths at best. The reality is there are 90 Million positive stories that unfold day-in and day-out in the country, written first-hand by positive and optimistic Filipinos who remain resilient and industrious. Sadly however, perception is oftentimes reality in publicity and media.

Press Freedom, Press Responsibility

The 2008 recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, Honorable Governor of Isabela Grace Padaca, herself a former radio personality, said, “”Media itself is Power. The power of the media should be in the hands of those who will not use it for their own selfish interests.” In fairness to the press, Rhonda Byrne, author of the best-selling book “The Secret”, confesses, “When I discovered The Secret (which is the Law of Attraction), I made a decision that I would not watch the news or read newspapers anymore, because it did not make me feel good. The news services and the newspapers are not in any way to blame for broadcasting bad news. As a global community, we are responsible for it. We buy more newspapers when a huge drama is the headline. The news channels’ ratings skyrocket when there is a national or international disaster. So the newspapers and news services give us more bad news because, as a society, that’s what we are saying we want. The media is effect, and we are cause. It is just the law of attraction in action!”

Bad News that is Good News

Our neighboring countries who have raced ahead of us in economic prosperity also report bad news but there is a major difference. In China for example, corruption scandals are reported with appropriate punitive measures already meted out, e.g., “Mayor of Shanghai Convicted of Corruption!” The message therefore to the local population including those in the government is: (1) Crime does not pay; while to the foreign community: (2) Come — it is safe for you to travel and tour, trade and invest in China. Locally however, it appears that the slightest hint of irregularities or anomalies becomes a source of media frenzy. Sometimes one cannot resist but suspect if members of the media are abusing press freedom just to drive TV ratings and newspaper readership that results in higher circulation numbers and advertising revenues. One evidence of this is that one-half of what one reads in newspapers is a ton of bad news and the other half is a ton of bad ads.

Patriotism Promotes Tourism

Patriotism means moderating our self-flaggelation in media, but it also requires much more. Patriotism also means loving our poor — uplifting them from the squalor that breeds drug addiction and criminality, gambling and alcoholism, which in turn translates into cleaner and safer neighborhoods, with no street urchins or roadside beggars, such as what Gawad Kalinga (Give Care) has been doing throughout the country. Patriotism means our richest taipans and ilustrados sharing their abundance to reduce income disparity and social injustice, enabling less fortunate Filipinos to improve their lot, promoting prosperity to benefit the common good. Patriotism calls for feudal landlords addressing the plight of the rural poor — farmers and fishermen, thus addressing the root cause of our 40-year communist insurgency and Muslim secessionist movement, and ensuring the safety of local and foreign tourists in the countryside. Patriotism means stamping out graft and corruption in government, which will promote the growth of commerce and industry, inviting local small and medium-scale entrepreneurs to invest, thus providing more employment opportunities, raising living standards, educational quality and purchasing power, and ultimately enhancing the investment climate to attract foreign investors. Patriotism means paying the right taxes which can be used to provide adequate basic social services, translating to cleaner streets, lighted neighborhoods and safer cities. Patriotism also means enjoining our 10 Million overseas Filipinos to act as our ambassadors of goodwill, capitalizing on the potency of Word-of-Mouth marketing. Patriotism means protecting our environment – preserving our forests, maintaining our waters, and cleaning our skies, to keep our land beautiful and clean for locals and tourists. Patriotism, in the context of tourism, means investing in the “HEARTS” of a successful tourism campaign – Hospitality and Hotels, Enjoyable Experiences, Airports and Airplanes, Roads, Rail & RORO, Tour Packages and clean Toilets, Safety and Security.

“Only in the Philippines”

It is a familiar line often quoted by locals and foreigners alike to capture the unbelievable sense of exasperation and frustration over a country that has been blessed with abundant beauty and a people imbued with nobility, yet shamelessly exploited by dynasties of “trapos” and greedy oligarchs. Yet in a paradoxical twist, it may also be the best line to use to drive local and foreign tourism, rekindle patriotism and unify a divided nation. It can be argued and it cannot be denied there is also so much natural beauty and goodness that can be found “Only in the Philippines” The same line arouses curiosity among new prospects (there are 1 billion tourists globally) who have never been to our shores. “What can be found ‘Only in the Philippines’”? It reinforces the experience of past visitors who can attest to the country’s uniqueness, while presenting new and more varied experiences.

It is simple and memorable, specific and unique. It is already a popular throwaway line among Filipinos and foreigners alike who are both delighted at our hospitality and aghast at our idiosyncrasies. It is a colloquial “tourist expression” that can be adapted in foreign languages for DOT campaigns. Importantly, it is campaignable even for domestic tourism which represents the normal course of tourism development when locals explore domestic destinations before venturing overseas. Sadly, Filipinos aspire to fly overseas before even appreciating the beauty of our own land and the goodness of our countrymen.

Synergy of Domestic and Foreign Tourism

“Only in the Philippines” lends itself to widespread adoption by all regions and provinces offering unique travel destinations and tourist attractions. The line creates synergy so that the whole becomes greater than the sum of the parts. “Only in Ilocos – Only in the Philippines” showcases Vigan, in Ilocos Sur, Pagudpud Beach and Fort Ilocandia in Laoag. The Banaue Rice Terraces, Mt. Pulag and La Trinidad Valley beckon with “Only in Benguet – Only in the Philippines”. In promoting the majestic Mayon Volcano, the pristine Caramoan Islands, and Pacific Ocean surfing in Daet’s Bagasbas Beach, we promote “Only in Bicol – Only in the Philippines”. “Only in Panay” can you experience the “Ati-Atihan” and indulge on the paradise island of Boracay. “Only in Palawan” do you find the world-renowned Tubbataha Reef and the world’s longest Subterranean River. The international and local campaigns can become seamlessly integrated as one, and will mutually reinforce each other to attract both foreign and domestic tourists.

Unity in Diversity

All local government units can now leverage on the national and international tourism campaigns in promoting their respective local destinations. In the process, we recognize and celebrate the uniqueness of each region, but within the context of one country. While Bicolanos will feel affirmation from “Only in Bicol”, they themselves will acknowledge the attraction of traveling to see and experience what is “Only in Ilocos”. “Only in the Philippines” also dovetails neatly into the “One Town-One Product” (OTOP) program created by the Office of the President to promote entrepreneurship, identifying products which small towns can produce at a comparative advantage vs. other neighboring towns. “Christmas Lanterns — Only in Pampanga”. “Strawberries – Only in Benguet” and so on.

Sola en las Filipinas!

The real excitement is in its global application across multiple languages beyond English-speaking nations like the US and Canada, the UK and Australia/New Zealand. In Mandarin Chinese, the line translates neatly to “Jin Zai Fei Lu Bin”, while in Cantonese, it is “Gan Zoi Fei Lud Ban”. In Japanese, it’s “Filipin Dah-Keh”, and in Korean, “Filipin Esoman”. The growing number of Russian tourists might be lured with, “Tolko V Filipine”. In Spain, our slogan is aptly “Sola en las Filipinas”, which can also be used for the entire Latin America. The French can say, “Seulement dans le Philippines”; the Germans affirm, “Nur in der Philippinen” and the Italians, “Soltanto nelle Filipine”.

Where else can you find all these and more?

Where else can you find a land as beautiful as its people, and a people as warm as its climate? Where else can you find a nation as rich as its history, and a culture as colorful as her transport “(vintas and jeepneys)? Where else can you find a workforce as talented as her artists, and an economy as vibrant as her freedoms? Where else can you find dining as delightful as her shopping, and golf fairways as tranquil as her day spas? Where else can you find fruits as delicious as her hillsides (Bohol Chocolate Hills), and a nightlife as breathtaking as her sunset? Finally, where else can you find a people with pride in her past, a passion for her present, and faith in her future? All these and more . . . “ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES”.

This one's from Sunday Inquirer Magazine, December 1998. I've just obtained it from WowFilipinas website. Enjoy reading!

FROM the 1896 Revolution to the first Philippine Republic, the Commonwealth period, the EDSA Revolt, and the tiger cub economy, history marches on. Thankfully, however, some things never change. Like the classics, things irresistibly Pinoy mark us for life. They're the indelible stamp of our identity, the undeniable affinity that binds us like twins. They celebrate the good in us, the best of our culture and the infinite possibilities we are all capable of. Some are so self-explanatory you only need mention them for fellow Pinoys to swoon or drool. Here, from all over this Centennial-crazed country and in no particular order, are a hundred of the best things that make us unmistakably Pinoy.

1. Merienda. Where else is it normal to eat five times a day?

2. Sawsawan. Assorted sauces that guarantee freedom of choice, enough room for experimentation and maximum tolerance for diverse tastes. Favorites: toyo't calamansi, suka at sili, patis.

3. Kuwan, ano. At a loss for words? Try these and marvel at how Pinoys understand exactly what you want.

4. Pinoy humor and irreverence. If you're api and you know it, crack a joke. Nothing personal, really.

5. Tingi. Thank goodness for small entrepreneurs. Where else can we buy cigarettes, soap, condiments and life's essentials in small affordable amounts?

6. Spirituality. Even before the Spaniards came, ethnic tribes had their own anitos, bathalas and assorted deities, pointing to a strong relationship with the Creator, who or whatever it may be.

7. Po, opo, mano po. Speech suffixes that define courtesy, deference, filial respect--a balm to the spirit in these aggressive times.

8. Pasalubong. Our way of sharing the vicarious thrills and delights of a trip, and a wonderful excuse to shop without the customary guilt.

9. Beaches! With 7,000 plus islands, we have miles and miles of shoreline piled high with fine white sand, lapped by warm waters, and nibbled by exotic tropical fish. From the stormy seas of Batanes to the emerald isles of Palawan--over here, life is truly a beach.

10. Bagoong. Darkly mysterious, this smelly fish or shrimp paste typifies the underlying theme of most ethnic foods: disgustingly unhygienic, unbearably stinky and simply irresistible.

11. Bayanihan. Yes, the internationally-renowned dance company, but also this habit of pitching in still common in small communities. Just have that cold beer and some pulutan ready for the troops.

12. The Balikbayan box. Another way of sharing life's bounty, no matter if it seems like we're fleeing Pol Pot every time we head home from anywhere in the globe. The most wonderful part is that, more often than not, the contents are carted home to be distributed.

13. Pilipino komiks. Not to mention "Hiwaga," "Aliwan," "Tagalog Classics," "Liwayway" and"Bulaklak" magazines. Pulpy publications that gave us Darna, Facifica Falayfay, Lagalag, Kulafu, Kenkoy, Dyesebel, characters of a time both innocent and worldly.

14. Folk songs. They come unbidden and spring, full blown, like a second language, at the slightest nudge from the too-loud stereo of a passing jeepney or tricycle.

15. Fiesta. Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow is just another day, shrugs the poor man who, once a year, honors a patron saint with this sumptuous, no-holds-barred spread. It's a Pinoy celebration at its pious and riotous best.

16. Aswang, manananggal, kapre. The whole underworld of Filipino lower mythology recalls our uniquely bizarre childhood, that is, before political correctness kicked in. Still, their rich adventures pepper our storytelling.

17. Jeepneys. Colorful, fast, reckless, a vehicle of postwar Pinoy ingenuity, this Everyman's communal cadillac makes for a cheap, interesting ride. If the driver's a daredevil (as they usually are), hang on to your seat.

18. Dinuguan. Blood stew, a bloodcurdling idea, until you try it with puto. Best when mined with jalape¤o peppers. Messy but delicious.

19. Santacruzan. More than just a beauty contest, this one has religious overtones, a tableau of St. Helena's and Constantine's search for the Cross that seamlessly blends piety, pageantry and ritual. Plus, it's the perfect excuse to show off the prettiest ladies--and the most beautiful gowns.

20. Balut. Unhatched duck's embryo, another unspeakable ethnic food to outsiders, but oh, to indulge in guilty pleasures! Sprinkle some salt and suck out that soup, with gusto.

21. Pakidala. A personalized door-to-door remittance and delivery system for overseas Filipino workers who don't trust the banking system, and who expect a family update from the courier, as well.

22. Choc-nut. Crumbly peanut chocolate bars that defined childhood ecstasy before M & M's and Hershey's.

23. Kamayan style. To eat with one's hand and eschew spoon, fork and table manners--ah, heaven.

24. Chicharon. Pork, fish or chicken crackling. There is in the crunch a hint of the extravagant, the decadent and the pedestrian. Perfect with vinegar, sublime with beer.

25. Pinoy hospitality. Just about everyone gets a hearty "Kain tayo!" invitation to break bread with whoever has food to share, no matter how skimpy or austere it is.

26. Adobo, kare-kare, sinigang and other lutong bahay stuff. Home-cooked meals that have the stamp of approval from several generations, who swear by closely-guarded cooking secrets and family recipes.

27. Lola Basyang. The voice one heard spinning tales over the radio, before movies and television curtailed imagination and defined grown-up tastes.

28. Pambahay. Home is where one can let it all hang out, where clothes do not make a man or woman but rather define their level of comfort.

29. Tricycle and trisikad, the poor Pinoy's taxicab that delivers you at your doorstep for as little as PHPesos3.00, with a complimentary dusting of polluted air.

30. Dirty ice cream. Very Pinoy flavors that make up for the risk: munggo, langka, ube, mais, keso, macapuno. Plus there's the colorful cart that recalls jeepney art.

31. Yayas. The trusted Filipino nanny who, ironically, has become a major Philippine export as overseas contract workers. A good one is almost like a surrogate parent--if you don't mind the accent and the predilection for afternoon soap and movie stars.

32. Sarsi. Pinoy rootbeer, the enduring taste of childhood. Our grandfathers had them with an egg beaten in.

33. Pinoy fruits. Atis, guyabano, chesa, mabolo, lanzones, durian, langka, makopa, dalanghita, siniguelas, suha, chico, papaya, singkamas--the possibilities!

34. Filipino celebrities. Movie stars, broadcasters, beauty queens, public officials, all-around controversial figures: Aurora Pijuan, Cardinal Sin, Carlos P. Romulo, Charito Solis, Cory Aquino, Emilio Aguinaldo, the Eraserheads, Fidel V. Ramos, Francis Magalona, Gloria Diaz, Manuel L. Quezon, Margie Moran, Melanie Marquez, Ninoy Aquino, Nora Aunor, Pitoy Moreno, Ramon Magsysay, Richard Gomez, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Sharon Cuneta, Gemma Cruz, Erap, Tiya Dely, Mel and Jay, Gary V.

35. World class Pinoys who put us on the global map: Lea Salonga, Paeng Nepomuceno, Eugene Torre, Luisito Espinosa, Lydia de Vega-Mercado, Jocelyn Enriquez, Elma Muros, Onyok Velasco, Efren "Bata" Reyes, Lilia Calderon-Clemente, Loida Nicolas-Lewis, Josie Natori, Manny Pacquiao

36. Pinoy tastes. A dietitian's nightmare: too sweet, too salty, too fatty, as in burong talangka, itlog na maalat, crab fat (aligue), bokayo, kutchinta, sapin-sapin, halo-halo, pastilyas, palitaw, pulburon, longganisa, tuyo, ensaymada, ube haleya, sweetened macapuno and garbanzos. Remember, we're the guys who put sugar (horrors) in our spaghetti sauce. Yum!

37. The sights. Banaue Rice Terraces, Boracay, Bohol's Chocolate Hills, Corregidor Island, Fort Santiago, the Hundred Islands, the Las Pi?s Bamboo Organ, Rizal Park, Mt. Banahaw, Mayon Volcano, Taal Volcano. A land of contrasts and ever-changing landscapes.

38. Gayuma, agimat and anting-anting. Love potions and amulets. How the socially-disadvantaged Pinoy copes.

39. Barangay Ginebra, Jaworski, PBA, MBA and basketball. How the verticaly-challenged Pinoy compensates, via a national sports obsession that reduces fans to tears and fistfights.

40. People Power at EDSA. When everyone became a hero and changed Philippine history overnight.

41. San Miguel Beer and pulutan. "Isa pa nga!" and the Philippines' most popular, world-renowned beer goes well with peanuts, corniks, tapa, chicharon, usa, barbecue, sisig, and all manner of spicy, crunchy and cholesterol-rich chasers.

42. Resiliency. We've survived 400 years of Spanish rule, the US bases, Marcos, the 1990 earthquake, lahar, lambada, Robin Padilla, and Tamagochi. We'll survive Erap.

43. Yoyo. Truly Filipino in origin, this hunting tool, weapon, toy and merchandising vehicle remains the best way to "walk the dog" and "rock the baby," using just a piece of string.

44. Pinoy games: Pabitin, palosebo, basagan ng palayok. A few basic rules make individual cunning and persistence a premium, and guarantee a good time for all.

45. Ninoy Aquino. For saying that "the Filipino is worth dying for,'' and proving it.

46. Balagtasan. The verbal joust that brings out rhyme, reason and passion on a public stage.

47. Tabo. All-powerful, ever-useful, hygienically-triumphant device to scoop water out of a bucket _ and help the true Pinoy answer nature's call. Helps maintain our famously stringent toilet habits.

48. Pandesal. Despite its shrinking size, still a good buy. Goes well with any filling, best when hot.

49. Jollibee. Truly Pinoy in taste and sensibility, and a corporate icon that we can be quite proud of. Do you know that it's invaded the Middle East, as well?

50. The butanding, the dolphins and other creatures in our blessed waters. They're Pinoys, too, and they're here to stay. Now if some folks would just stop turning them into daing.

51. Pakikisama. It's what makes people stay longer at parties, have another drink, join pals in sickness and health. You can get dead drunk and still make it home.

52. Sing-a-long. Filipinos love to sing, and thank God a lot of us do it well!

53. Kayumanggi. Neither pale nor dark, our skin tone is beautifully healthy, the color of a rich earth or a mahogany tree growing towards the sun.

54. Handwoven cloth and native weaves. Colorful, environment-friendly alternatives to polyester that feature skillful workmanship and a rich indigenous culture behind every thread. From the pinukpok of the north to the malong of the south, it's the fiber of who we are.

55. Movies. Still the cheapest form of entertainment, especially if you watch the same movie several times.

56. Bahala na. We cope with uncertainty by embracing it, and are thus enabled to play life by ear.

57. Papaitan. An offal stew flavored with bile, admittedly an acquired taste, but pointing to our national ability to acquire a taste for almost anything.

58. English. Whether carabao or Arr-neoww-accented, it doubles our chances in the global marketplace.

59. The Press. Irresponsible, sensational, often inaccurate, but still the liveliest in Asia. Otherwise, we'd all be glued to TV. 60. Divisoria. Smelly, crowded, a pickpocket's paradise, but you can get anything here, often at rock-bottom prices. The sensory overload is a bonus.

61. Barong Tagalog. Enables men to look formal and dignified without having to strangle themselves with a necktie. Worn well, it makes any ordinary Juan look marvelously makisig.

62. Filipinas. They make the best friends, lovers, wives. Too bad they can't say the same for Filipinos.

63. Filipinos. So maybe they're bolero and macho with an occasional streak of generic infidelity; they do know how to make a woman feel like one.

64. Catholicism. What fun would sin be without guilt? Jesus Christ is firmly planted on Philippine soil.

65. Dolphy. Our favorite, ultra-durable comedian gives the beleaguered Pinoy everyman an odd dignity, even in drag.

66. Style. Something we often prefer over substance. But every Filipino claims it as a birthright.

67. Bad taste. Clear plastic covers on the vinyl-upholstered sofa, posters of poker-playing dogs masquerading as art, overaccessorized jeepneys and altars--the list is endless, and wealth only seems to magnify it.

68. Mangoes. Crisp and tart, or lusciously ripe, they evoke memories of family outings and endless sunshine in a heart-shaped package.

69. Unbridled optimism. Why we rank so low on the suicide scale.

70. Street food: Barbecue, lugaw, banana-cue, fishballs, IUD (chicken entrails), adidas (chicken feet), warm taho. Forget hepatitis; here's cheap, tasty food with gritty ambience.

71. The siesta. Snoozing in the middle of the day is smart, not lazy.

72. Honorifics and courteous titles: Kuya, ate, diko, ditse, ineng, totoy, Ingkong, Aling, Mang, etc. No exact English translation, but these words connote respect, deference and the value placed on kinship.

73. Heroes and people who stood up for truth and freedom. Lapu-lapu started it all, and other heroes and revolutionaries followed: Diego Silang, Macario Sakay, Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Melchora Aquino, Gregorio del Pilar, Gabriela Silang, Miguel Malvar, Francisco Balagtas, Juan Luna, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Panday Pira, Emilio Jacinto, Raha Suliman, Antonio Luna, Gomburza, Emilio Aguinaldo, the heroes of Bataan and Corregidor, Pepe Diokno, Satur Ocampo, Dean Armando Malay, Evelio Javier, Ninoy Aquino, Lola Rosa and other comfort women who spoke up, honest cabbie Emilio Advincula, Rona Mahilum, the women lawyers who didn't let Jalosjos get away with rape.

74. Flora and fauna. The sea cow (dugong), butanding, tarsier, calamian deer, bearcat, Philippine eagle, sampaguita, ilang-ilang, camia, pandan, the creatures that make our archipelago unique.

75. Pilipino songs, OPM and composers: "Ama Namin," "Lupang Hinirang," "Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal," "Ngayon at Kailanman," "Anak," "Handog,""Hindi Kita Malilimutan," "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit"; Ryan Cayabyab, George Canseco, Restie Umali, Levi Celerio, Manuel Francisco, Freddie Aguilar, and Florante--living examples of our musical gift.

76. Metro Aides. They started out as Imelda Marcos' groupies, but have gallantly proven their worth. Against all odds, they continuously prove that cleanliness is next to godliness--especially now that those darned candidates' posters have to be scraped off the face of Manila!

77. Sari-sari store. There's one in every corner, offering everything from bananas and floor wax to Band-Aid and bakya.

78. Philippine National Red Cross. PAWS. Caritas. Fund drives. They help us help each other.

79. Favorite TV shows through the years: "Tawag ng Tanghalan," "John and Marsha," "Champoy," "Ryan, Ryan Musikahan," "Kuwarta o Kahon," "Public Forum/Lives," "Student Canteen," "Eat Bulaga." In the age of inane variety shows, they have redeemed Philippine television.

80. Quirks of language that can drive crazy any tourist listening in: "Bababa ba?" "Bababa!"

81. "Sayang!" "Naman!" "Kadiri!" "Ano ba!?" "pala." Expressions that defy translation but wring out feelings genuinely Pinoy.

82. Cockfighting. Filipino men love it more than their wives (sometimes).

83. Dr. Jose Rizal. A category in himself. Hero, medicine man, genius, athlete, sculptor, fictionist, poet, essayist, husband, lover, samaritan, martyr. Truly someone to emulate and be proud of, anytime, anywhere.

84. Nora Aunor. Short, dark and homely-looking, she redefined our rigid concept of how leading ladies should look.

85. Noranian or Vilmanian. Defines the friendly rivalry between Ate Guy Aunor and Ate Vi Santos and for many years, the only way to be for many Filipino fans.

86. Filipino Christmas. The world's longest holiday season. A perfect excuse to mix our love for feasting, gift-giving and music and wrap it up with a touch of religion.

87. Relatives and kababayan abroad. The best refuge against loneliness, discrimination and confusion in a foreign place. Distant relatives and fellow Pinoys readily roll out the welcome mat even on the basis of a phone introduction or referral.

88. Festivals: Sinulog, Ati-atihan, Moriones. Sounds, colors, pagan frenzy and Christian overtones.

89. Folk dances. Tinikling, pandanggo sa ilaw, kari?sa, kuratsa, itik-itik, alitaptap, rigodon. All the right moves and a distinct rhythm.

90. Native wear and costumes. Baro't saya, tapis, terno, saya, salakot, bakya. Lovely form and ingenious function in the way we dress.

91. Sunday family gatherings. Or, close family ties that never get severed. You don't have to win the lotto or be a president to have 10,000 relatives. Everyone's family tree extends all over the archipelago, and it's at its best in times of crisis; notice how food, hostesses, money, and moral support materialize during a wake?

92. Calesa and karitela. The colorful and leisurely way to negotiate narrow streets when loaded down with a year's provisions.

93. Quality of life. Where else can an ordinary employee afford a stay-in helper, a yaya, unlimited movies, eat-all-you-can buffets, the latest fashion (Baclaran nga lang), even Viagra in the black market?

94. All Saints' Day. In honoring our dead, we also prove that we know how to live.

95. Handicrafts. Shellcraft, rattancraft, abaca novelties, woodcarvings, banig placemats and bags, bamboo windchimes, etc. Portable memories of home. Hindi lang pang-turista, pang-balikbayan pa!

96. Pinoy greens. Sitaw. Okra. Ampalaya. Gabi. Munggo. Dahon ng Sili. Kangkong. Luya. Talong. Sigarillas. Bataw. Patani. Lutong bahay will never be the same without them.

97. OCWs. The lengths (and miles) we'd go for a better life for our family, as proven by these modern-day heroes of the economy.

98. The Filipino artist. From Luna's magnificent "Spoliarium" and Amorsolo's sun-kissed ricefields, to Ang Kiukok's jarring abstractions and Borlongan's haunting ghosts, and everybody else in between. Hang a Filipino painting on your wall, and you're hanging one of Asia's best.

99. Tagalog soap operas. From "Gulong ng Palad" and "Flor de Luna" to today's incarnations like "Mula sa Puso"--they're the story of our lives, and we feel strongly for them, MariMar notwithstanding.

100. Midnight madness, weekends sales, bangketas and baratillos. It's retail therapy at its best, with Filipinos braving traffic, crowds, and human deluge to find a bargain.

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*Some of them are updated. I don't know who edited it. Maybe the Department of Tourism. Hehe.

I am in great pressure right now. I need to finish the design of our posters and tarpaulins for the upcoming Labing-Isang Daliri 2008 art exhibit. I have had three designs that I started since summer but all of those ended up in the recycle bin. The fiesta theme has been killing me. I could have made it more detailed but time took its role as the murderer. As you can see, I am a member of the UP Painters' Club and that I do many artworks with which some will be exhibited (unfortunately, only one of my artworks are successfully done for). Here's the sneak peak of my artwork:

That artwork has received almost 70% of my time in Los Baños for more than one month. The picture was poorly shot so I must extend my apology. To know more of it and see it in person, just visit our upcoming exhibit at the Student Union Building Sunken Lobby, UPLB, College, Los Baños, Laguna on August 25 to September 12, 2008.

Of course, the jobs of the Records Committee is quite given. But I must give thanks to my subordinates, Phoebe, Ericson and Thet, for carrying a small part of my load. But I must also give my sorry to them because lots of works will be dealt [by them] this coming days. Hehe.

Maybe I could also post my artworks that are under-construction next week.

I am listening to Eiguru Song by Susumu Hirasawa while typing this blog entry.