Birth Anniversary of Rodolfo Samonte

Posted on:  |  National Museum of the Philippines Posted in Uncategorized.

Rodolfo Samonte’s Serigraph IX, 1974, on loan from the collection of the Philippine Center New York
After more than four decades, Rodolfo Samonte reunites with his serigraphs from the Philippine Center New York Collection. These serigraphs were created from 1973 to 1974. This photo was taken during the artist’s visit to the National Museum of Fine Arts on June 7, 2022.

For this week’s #ArtStrollSunday, and as we greet artist and printmaker Rodolfo Samonte on his 81st birthday, we are featuring his ‘Serigraph IX” from the collection of the Philippine Center New York. 

Serigraph IX is part of the “Philippine Center New York Core Collection of 1974: A Homecoming Exhibition.” This exhibition is at Galleries XXVII and XXVIII, Fourth Floor, National Museum of Fine Arts. This serigraph print, colored in layers of greens and yellows, was completed in 1974 during the height of Samonte’s career as a printmaker. During this period, he also created large-format paintings using automotive paint. He learned serigraphy from his UST professor, Cenon Rivera. His interest in printmaking further developed after his frequent visits to the Philippine Association of Printmakers (PAP) studio workshop at Philippine Women’s University (PWU). He recalled picking up scrap etching plates, drawing or putting acid on them, and joining them together to create works. Arturo Luz (1997 National Artist for Visual Arts) was impressed by his serigraphs that he invited Samonte for an exhibition in Luz Gallery. Serigraphy or screen printing is a printmaking technique wherein printing ink is forced through a screen. The method gained popularity in USA and Britain in the 60s. Samonte is credited as one of the pioneering figures of serigraphy in the Philippines. 

Born in Manila in 1941, Samonte graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from UST in 1964. The UST School of Architecture and Fine Arts (UST SAFA) was under the directorship of Victorio Edades during this period. Galo Ocampo and Cenon Rivera, who were part of the faculty of the UST SAFA, became his favorite professors. After graduation, the artist worked in a printing shop in Quezon City and eventually in advertising firms such as Advertising and Marketing Associates (AMA), and Ace-Compton Advertising. He received many recognitions and awards, including the annual art competitions by the Art Association of the Philippines and the PAP. In 1974, the City of Manila presented him with the Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan Award for his artistic contributions. In 1979, he moved to the United States of America. Samonte now resides in Burbank, California.

We invite you to view “Serigraph IX” and his 11 other works at the PCNY Homecoming Exhibition! We are open Tuesdays-Sunday, 9 AM to 6 PM. Know more about the PCNY Homecoming Exhibition by viewing the 360-degree Virtual Tour through this link: https://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/pcny360/HTML5/pcny360.html

Happy Museums and Galleries Month and see you at your National Museum!

Article and photos by the NMP Fine Arts Division.

© 2022 National Museum of the Philippines

Geology of Karst Forests

Posted on:  |  National Museum of the Philippines Posted in Uncategorized.

Karsts are areas of land made of limestone, a soluble sedimentary rock. These regions have landscapes that are largely shaped by the dissolving power of water.  They typically have irregular terrain punctuated by caves, underground rivers, and cliffs created after thousands of years of water dissolving and eroding them. 

Karst forests consist of isolated steep-sided hills that tower from the ground. This topography forms in wet, tropical regions, like the Philippines, which have thick beds of highly fractured limestone where water has dissolved large volumes of limestone, leaving these residual towers. 

The development of karst processes is more rapid in tropical climates due to the abundant rainfall and increased carbon dioxide from decaying tropical vegetation. It means more carbonic acid is available for the dissolution of limestone. 

A remarkable stone forest is found in Kunming, China. Meanwhile, the Philippines is also gifted with a wide array of karst landscapes that vary in landform and age. And some of these are steep-sided karst towers resembling stone forests in Coron Island in northern Palawan and on the west coast of Palawan. Magnificent karst towers are also found in the Masungi Georeserve in Rizal. 

Aside from the diverse ecosystem that thrives in karst regions, it is also ideal for storing waste as an aquifer providing clean drinking water to people, animals, and plants. We also benefit in terms of tourism and recreation from these regions.  But, it is essential to note that their conservation, protection, and sustainable management should be our priority. 

Birth Anniversary of Pacita Abad

Posted on:  |  National Museum of the Philippines Posted in Uncategorized.

The National Museum of the Philippines joins in commemorating the 76th birth anniversary of Pacita Abad. Born in Batanes on this day in 1946, she had to leave the Philippines in 1969 due to political turmoil. She decided to remain in San Francisco to paint and later pursued painting in the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C., and the Art Students League of New York. Pacita was a well-traveled artist, drawing inspiration from her travels in Mexico, India, Afghanistan, Thailand, Laos, and Indonesia. A prolific artist in various media like ceramics, glass, and fabric, she was inspired by their local art forms’ vibrancy and intricate patterns and took the time to learn their art traditions and practices. She even developed a technique called trapunto painting, a quilting method that involved layering quilted material with various objects such as glass, shells, and mirrors to give it a three-dimensional effect. Her art’s subject matter is diverse, ranging from landscapes to sociopolitical commentaries.

Featured today from the National Fine Arts Collection, is an oil on canvas painting by Pacita Abad entitled “Horseshoe Drive” created in 1983. You may view this artwork at the GSIS Northwest Wing Hallway Gallery, Third Floor, National Museum of Fine Arts. Her masterpieces are also part of the collection of museums located in the Philippines and in countries such as Australia, Bulgaria, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Japan, Jordan, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the USA. 

Follow this page for more features from the National Fine Arts Collection. The #NationalMuseumPH is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entrance is free!

Click this link for the 360-degree virtual tour of the nine select galleries at the National Museum of Fine Arts:  https://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/nmfa360/HTML5/NMFA360.html

#OnThisDay
#PacitaAbad
#MuseumFromHome

Article and photo by the NMP Fine Arts Division. With contributions from Museum Volunteer Mikaela Reyes.

© 2022 National Museum of the Philippines

Panagaramid ti Tinubong: Lecture and Demonstration

Posted on:  |  National Museum of the Philippines Posted in mgm-week2.

In celebration of the Museums and Galleries Month, the National Museum of the Philippines – Ilocos Region shall conduct a free onsite half-day activity on “Panagaramid ti Tinubong: Lecture and Demonstration” on 10 October 2022 (Monday) from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 nn at Ilocos Regional Museum Complex, Vigan City.

Tinubong, a coconut milk-laced rice cake in bamboo tube, is a traditional kakanin in the province of Ilocos Sur that is similar to the tupig of Ilocos Norte, and Pangasinan. It is made of sticky rice and grated coconut, and is “intubong” (placed) in a bamboo/bolo before it is cooked over a pugon (kiln) or charcoal.

This activity aims to promote the heritage and tradition in Ilocos on tinubong making as a viable strategy for women empowerment and participation in development. It primarily aims to strengthen our gender mainstreaming efforts consistent with the mandate of the NMP Gender and Development Focal Point System on gender equality, women empowerment, and continuous support to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Felicitas “Nana Ising” Ceria Unciano shall serve as our resource person. Try-outs on tinubong making by the participants shall also be conducted.

LIMTED SLOTS ONLY!

For registration and inquiries, please contact Ms. Frolaine Aprilyn D. Dannang, Information Officer III, at 09355819408 or message us through our Facebook page at National Museum Ilocos Region.

A Vessel to History of Marinduque Ceramics

Posted on:  |  National Museum of the Philippines Posted in mgm-week2.

SUBMERGED HISTORY. In celebration of Museums and Galleries Month, the #NationalMuseumPH Marinduque-Romblon Area and Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage Division (MUCHD) invite you to a free webinar entitled “A Vessel to History of Marinduque Ceramics” on October 10, 2022 (Monday), 9AM-12PM via Zoom Meeting.

The webinar aims to promote awareness and appreciation of Marinduque shipwrecks and their significance to the maritime and underwater cultural heritage of our country.

Despite being the smallest province in MIMAROPA region, Marinduque possesses a rich and unique cultural heritage. The province also played a significant role in the history of archaeology and the early maritime trade of the country. Early explorations of the island in the early 20th century resulted in the discovery of pottery and tradeware ceramics, wooden boat coffins, and shell bracelets along with other artifacts in many caves. In 1981, the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) conducted an underwater archaeological excavation in Gasan town that recovered more than 1,200 artifacts comprising ceramics, iron objects, and wood remains that may have been on board a Chinese merchant vessel. In 2013, another underwater archaeological excavation was organized by the NMP in Laylay, Boac, where the team found a possible late 18th century CE shipwreck. 

Andrea Natasha Kintanar of the University of the Philippines Archaeological Studies Program will talk about the “Ceramics Found in the Philippines”, while Bobby C. Orillaneda, an archaeologist and OIC of MUCHD will discuss “The Marinduque Shipwrecks and its Context in 16th Century Philippines”.

Zoom participants can pre-register at this link: https://bit.ly/3dyYfcQ Those who can’t join in Zoom can watch the webinar simultaneously at the National Museum Marinduque-Romblon Facebook page. For inquiries, please call (042) 332-0507 or 0919-077-9858 or email us at nm.mramso@gmail.com or marinduqueromblon@nationalmuseum.gov.ph
View the “Submerged History: The Marinduque Shipwrecks” exhibition from Tuesday to Sunday, 9AM to 4PM. The museum is located at Brgy. Malusak, Boac.

Vloggers Roundtable: Teaching History, Culture and Arts in the Post-pandemic Era

Posted on:  |  National Museum of the Philippines Posted in mgm-week2.

A group of remarkable experts. Enter Lyqa Maravilla, Kristoffer Pasion, and Xiao Chua. Here to share their knowledge on education, history, and art and their relation to their content-making process.

All JHS and SHS teachers in Manila are welcome to join the Vloggers Round Table: Teaching History, Culture, and Arts in the Post-Pandemic Era this October 10, Monday, from 2PM to 4PM at the Osmeña Hall, 2nd Floor, National Museum of Fine Arts.

Register now at: https://bit.ly/vloggersrt or scan the QR code above!