Prony finds a new home!

Wake-uppers:

Scene: Tickets to the A Night with Christian Bautista on April 28, 7 p.m. at the Bohol Cultural Center are priced at P600, P400 and P200. Call/text Cleford at 09177012288/09228803373.

Karen Gallman

 

Scene: See the works that celebrate women’s strength and courage and honor the female body in Baji 2012: Through The Fire, an all-Boholana visual-literary arts exhibit at the lower ground of the Island City Mall (ICM) from March 4 to 30. The exhibit features the artwork of 46 women in recognition of the International Women’s Month of March. The exhibit includes the work of Hermogena “Nene” Lungay, Rowena Cuadra Seloterio, Alma Aparece, Amor Maria Vistal, Anna Hormiguera, Anni Vi Tirol, Bethlehem Bullen, Bona Dea Padron, Cecilia Agnes Ortiz, Chrisylli Mitzi Abaya, Darlene Sanguenza Cano, Dawn Likha Borja, Dedinne Docoy-Boucher, Dimpna Cutin, Fides Maria Vistal, Gee Biliran, Irish Glori Galon, Izabelle Petines, Jacquelou Curambao, Jessica Jayectin, Joanna Flores, Josielou Liray Chan, Joy Jakosalem-Balane, Liza Macalandag, Lovely Rose Acedo, Lumin Tirol-Pamaran, Ma. Bernes Acedo, Ma. Daisylou Daquipa Manluza, Maria Binhi Blanco Borja, Maida Jabinez, Maria Paz Oppus Villanueva, Mary Grace Ido Bernaldez, Matet Galarido, May Blanco, Melanie Oncog, Vice Mayor Nuevas Tirol-Montes, Pie Padron, Rain Calimbayan, Regina Estorba Macalandag, Rosa Shiela Café, Sandra de la Serna, Silveri Marsamolo, Sonieta Labasan, Victorina Jumawid, Vida May Tirol-de Juan and Virna Avergonzado.  

 

Scene: The deadline of the submission of entries for the Miss Teen Tagbilaran 2012 is on March 16. The Miss Teen Tagbilaran is a project of Tagbilaran City SK Federation headed by Councilor Mary Liene Shaene Karaan of Poblacion 1.  

 

Scene: The Bohol Arts and Cultural Heritage Council general assembly and elections, March 31, 9 a.m., at Meridian Hotel, this city. Vida Tirol de Juan and Fiel Angeli Gabin posted on Facebook: Calling all artists, arts enthusiasts, arts advocates, arts teachers, arts students, municipal cultural/tourism officers, cultural heritage workers, history/language advocates, performing arts groups, arts collectives, eco-cultural advocates. Individuals. groups, NGOs, civic organizations, government agencies. And all who loves Bohol with all its richness of culture and arts! Please come!

 

Scene: Bb. Pilipinas- World 2006 Anna Maris Igpit on Karen Juanita Boyonas Gallman, the other Boholana candidate in the Bb. Pilipinas 2012: You’ll never fail to ignore Karen Gallman who’s a deadringer of Ms. Universe Ximena Navarrette. She has a standout beauty, bubbly personality and she’s very articulate and the walk is something you have to watch out for. I love it that she speaks English with an Australian accent yet is not ashamed of speaking Bisaya in a full Boholano swag. I see her in the top 5.

 

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As you can see, there’s an exclamation point in today’s headline as a way to herald a new chapter in Prony’s life — and “her” caretakers, too!

 

 

Paloma aka Marimar, Prony’s “twin” is now ready to do deadly acrobatic performance in Prony’s new home in barangay Laya, Baclayon town. LPU

 

And so, after all the twists and turns, the action, drama, romance, suspense, etc, as you and I have expected all along, ends up happily ever after in the waiting. Prony, the longest and biggest python in captivity used to have “her” home in Sta. Fe, Allbur town. “She” is now calling Barangay Laya, Baclayon home last March 7. That is official.

 

A visit to Bohol is not complete without Prony which is considered as one of the most important tourist attractions in Bohol. Prony has a special niche in the hearts of the people from all walks of life, including celebrities such as Richard Gutierrez, Dra. Vicky Belo, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Cesar Montano, Kim Atienza, coach Freddie Roach, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Kris Aquino, et al, and Hollywood stars such as Tom Cruise and Brooke Shields. 

 

Notice any, uhm, changes on Bohol’s superstar? Prony is now longer. JingJing Salibay said, “Prony measures 27 feet long from 26 feet last year. We love her very much!”

 

And notice any, uhm, changes on Paloma aka Marimar? Paloma was stagnant for almost four months when the Sta. Fe mini zoo was closed for public viewing. “She” needs to lose more weight.

 

Paloma said,“Gimingaw ko magperform og animal show!” The Greek goddess of love, desire and beauty Aphrodite was born from sea foam but Paloma aka Marimar was born uniquely. “Ako ang babaeng ahas. Gikaon ni Prony unya giluwa!”

 

Does this mean she’s returning to do kagwang performance (and some deadly antics) again? “More, more better show! Promise!”

 

In a jiffy, Eugene and JingJing Salibay are now busy improving the place and the negative feelings towards a certain public official are consigned to the dustbin with a hug. And the feelings became lighter when the people of Baclayon have received Prony with open arms, without any hesitation, mental reservation or doubts.

 

Among the guests I spotted were Laya Barangay Captain Carlito To-ong, Baclayon Councilor Romulo Balangkig, Madame Cony Geonzon, Atty. Epifanio Bolando, former Albur Mayor Mayor Ugdoracion, Albur councilor Jubac, Lourdes Pinlac and Rev. Fr. Glen Alipoyo.

 

Also in attendance were the media friends: Gerry Pabe, Willy Maestrado, Richelyn Maestrado, Jun Guttirrez, Andy Nalzaro, Dodong Libatona, Egdar Tumanda, Rey Tutas and Edward Guyano aka Inday Charity emceed the affair.

 

We enjoyed the mouth-watering, tummy-filling items during the merienda sienna: inasal, sinugbang tulingan, kare-kare, etc. and some native delicacies such as puto coshenta, biko, ubi with latik, kamote with latik, etc., then redwine and Tanduay.

 

I left early so I’m not sure if Prony was able to sleep or Paloma was still entertaining the more than 500 guests from Albur and Baclayon towns. Everyone was celebrating new home full of love.

 

Burp!!!

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 Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter or email at Facebook.

 

In this month that celebrates women’s history, some of the works of Boholana women are featured in ‘Baji 2012: Through The Fire’ exhibit at the lower ground of the Island City Mall. LPU

 

 

Sam Penaso’s sentimental homecoming in Bohol

Sam Penaso’s sentimental homecoming in Bohol

Wake-uppers:
Scene: Some of the biggest and hottest Kapuso celebrities like Katrina Halili, Moymoy Palaboy, Daniel Matsunaga, Paolo Contis, Benjie Paras and Jillian Ward will grace the Bohol Sandugo street-dancing on July 31 (Sunday). Boholanos will see more of the Kapuso stars after the street-dancing competition at the CPG Sports Complex.

Scene: Only eight (8) contingents will join the street-dancing competition. The Sandugo organizers see few out-of-town contingents joining this month’s grand parade, but they won’t let it dampen the festive mood and ongoing preparations. The event should be repackaged after the noted drop in contingents from out of town.

Scene: Hordes of people were definitely erupted in unison in Tanduay Power of 5 last July 16. The event featured Parokya Ni Edgar, Chicosci, Kamikazee, Sandwich and Wolfgang. Iya Villania became the center of the event when she entertained the Boholano youngsters.

Scene: Half of the Bohol Cultural Center was occupied during the Miss Bohol Sandugo pageant on July 16.

Seen: Bohol’s seasoned host Raul Gatal was wearing black jeans during the opening of the Miss Bohol Sandugo; his slacks didn’t arrive on time. He was seen taking nebulizer in between break during the pageant. Also, Raul’s pretty co-hosts Johanna Feliz Pilayre and Felisse Marie Gonzales were not smiling on stage and hosting in the most monotone voice. Again, Raul saved the pageant night.

Scene: The members of the Association of Young Boholanos in Metro Manila, Inc. (AYBM) were enjoying the Dagan Para sa Pamilacan, a trail run for a cause. The participants treasured the singlet.

Scene: Some of the performers didn’t impress the judges during the audition of TV 5’s Talentadong Pinoy last July 29 at the Island City Mall.

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“The power of the greatest art,” says art historian Simon Schama, “is the power to shake us into revelation and rip us from our default mode of seeing.” In the case of our Boholano artists like Yoyoy Villame, Cesar Montano, Clovis Nazareno, Napoleon Abueva, Nene Lungay, Ric Ramasola, et al, their love of art have inspired them to break out of the mold by initiating an activity that allows art to demonstrate its power and influence not just on a metaphysical plane but on a more pragmatic scale.

And then there's Samuel “Sam” Penaso.

The success story of Sam is something for the books, a saga that started in the sea of Guindulman where he tried to help augment the family income by being a fisherman and ended in the spotlight of imperial Manila.

I knew Sam years ago when he had his 7th solo exhibit “Boholandia” at SM Megamall. A certified Boholano, he is a visual and performance artist from Guindulman.

He has held 15 solo exhibitions, five of which were held abroad. He has also participated in numerous group exhibits and performance art festivals locally and abroad.

He represented the Philippines in the Nippon International Performance Art Festival in Japan in 2005 and 2011, Asia Performance Art in Seoul Korea, Asian International Art Exhibition in Indonesia, Philippines-Thailand Artists Exchange Residency in Bangkok, The Korea-Manila Fine Art Biennale, ArTriangle in Malaysia, Young Art Philippine in Luxembourg, Essen-Berlin, Germany, London and Austria. He has won in some of the most prestigious art competitions in the country, namely Art Association of the Philippines (AAP), Metrobank Foundation’s National Young Painters Annual, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Painting Competition\ and Philipp Morris Art Awards.

Last month, I saw Sam on TV for the Rizal + 150 reverse cosplay parade, the backward March held in Intramuros, Manila. His famous “stripewalker project” makes him popular. “This is guy’s Einstein, Wolverine and Picasso,” I told myself.

After his exhibitions abroad, Sam Penaso and his works have finally returned home.

The paintings in Sam Penaso: The Homecoming, Sam Penaso’s first art exhibit which opened at the Island City Mall’s Prawn Farm on July 22, also Bohol’s Day and run until July 24, are abstract and conceptual, all right, but they touch the heart because most of the paintings are experimentations in lines and colors.

“The increasing tantalization of the world has become the very matter imprinted on his artworks,” art critique JPaul Manzailla of UP Manila pointed out, “Sam does not want to be a prophet who, unfailingly, is not recognized in his own land. He does not prophesize but challenges young Boholano artists to offer what they have in Bohol and to universalize their individual, particular experiences.”

Sam’s homecoming was made possible through the effort of the Association of Young Boholanos in Metro Manila, Inc. (AYBM) headed by Atty. Julius Gregory Batusa Delgado. The exhibit was one of the activities organized by AYBM during the Sandugo festival.

Others who were at the opening were Guindulman Mayor Ma. Fe Añanas-Piezas , Vice Mayor Maria Edineth Hohmann, Atty. Doi Nunag of Amarella Resort, artist Ric Ramasola, architect and violinist Nigeli Cabreara Abarquez, Raymund Delgado, Glenn Lumantao, Atty. Menedio and Mrs. Vanessa Mae Bernido, Atty. Ted Lagang, Gen. Leo Olegario, Doris Dinorog-Obena, Vilma Yorong, Edward Guyano aka Inday Charity, Sandugo festival-goers, and the photographer-artist friends.

Sam Penaso (extreme left) with Atty. Doi Nunag, Ric Ramasola, Guindulman Mayor Ma. Fe Añanas-Piezas, Vice Mayor Maria Edineth Hohmann and family friends during his homecoming in Bohol.

When some of the patrons asked Sam to sign the paintings they bought and won in the raffle, Sam happily obliged.

Among the most admired paintings were those faces old people Aling Basyang, Mando and Worker which JPaul said could be our kin and neighbors and acquaintances. “They are individual yet general.” People also felt a sense of wonder and excitement seeing generation x, neonlights, eye candy and time machines.
“Sam Penaso hopes to challenge the young and upcoming artists of Bohol to hone their craft,” said Mary Catherine Biliran, AYBM’s board of trustee. “Sam also hopes to contribute in making Bohol art scene active and aggressive,” said Ethel Mae Manlupig in her opening remarks.

Mayor Piezas of Guindulman was all praises for Sam’s achievement, “We are proud of Sam. He deserves all the accolades that he’s getting. This just proves that Sam Penaso is the next Fernando Amorsolo. Makita nato nga ang mga Picasso, van Gough tagpila na..dili na nato makab-ot. Usa ko sa mingpalit sa iyang paintings kay ming-admire ko. Gusto ko isip Mayor, inahan sa lungsod sa imong ginikanan, ako mupalit sa usa sa imong mga paintings.”

Mayor Piezas recalled one incident in 1967 when she saw the paintings of Filipino master Fernando Amorsolo sold in low prices. Amorsolo was not yet popular at that time. “Now his paintings are millions and we can’t afford it. Nagmahay ko wala mupalit.”

At the cocktails, Inday Charity was telling Sam he could be a future National Artist, which the artist brushed aside with modesty, saying, “Malayo pa yan..Hahahaha Hayo pa ta ana..Marami pa na more deserving of that honor.” But Inday Charity disagreed, saying he meets all the qualifications required of a National Artist.

I asked Sam if “What's the best lesson that you want to impart to the youth and people who are in the same situation as you were before?”

“They should believe in themselves so they can pursue their dreams and take the lead in making a difference. They should finish their studies. Kung sa art, pag-igihan ang pagpinta at maniwala sa ginagawang obra then at ang art na ang bahala sa kanila. Basta ibuhos ang galling. Be an artist with your whole substance; give everything you have. If you are fully engaged in your life, you will fully engage others,” said Sam. It pays to remember the Filipino saying, Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan.

(Visit http://sampenaso.multiply.com; Text or call: +639283482268)

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Email leoudtohan@yahoo.com.