Convergence Internationale 2004

L-R: Ant ‘Jun’ A. Afable, Jhun Ciolo Diamante, Maria Nellie Bautista, Canada’s Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Sutherland and wife, Jo-Lynne, Tony Luna, Dan Dizon, Chiqui Ramos, Bill Ibanez and Romi C. MananQuil.

Philippine Artists Group of Canada and Fellow Artists

Canadian Ambassador Sutherland opens major art exhibit 2004.

Top Canada-based Filipino artists join forces with some of the Philippines’ most exciting talents to mount what is probably the biggest art show of the year. Entitled “Convergence Internationale”, this large-scale art exhibit opens on September 24, 2004 at the Artspace area of Glorietta 4 runs up to October 7, 2004.

The guest of honour, Canada’s Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Sutherland formally opens the exhibit at 7:00PM.

The core of exhibiting artists are members of the Philippine Artists Group of Canada (P.A.G.), a Toronto-based group of expatriate Filipinos, most of whom are coming home for the first time after the sixteen-year existence of the art organization. Some of the artpieces to be exhibited are coming from artists who have not been seen in the Manila art circles for more than twenty years.

The P.A.G. was formed by Filipino artists in Canada who came across each other as they sought to actively pursue their art again and be able to promote Philippine visual arts in their adopted country. Interestingly, some of the P.A.G.’s members were already well-known names in the Philippine art scene when they emigrated.

Longing to visit their motherland and reestablish their ties with the Philippine art world, the P.A.G. members happily won the joint support of the Embassy of Canada in Manila, the Embassy of the Philippines in Ottawa, headed by Ambassador Francisco Benedicto, the Consulate General of the Philippines in Toronto, with Consul General Alejandro Mosquera, in their quest for a visit cum exhibit. Former P.A.G. president Romi C. MananQuil, who will be heading the delegation, worked hand in hand with Philippine-Canadian Foundation, Inc. president Bayani Abesamis, a Toronto-based lawyer, with Director Pamela Apsay and a core of artist-participants in Manila in organizing the show.

The exhibiting P.A.G. artists are Ant Jun A. Afable, Wilfred Alinas, Maria Nellie Bautista, Jhun Ciolo Diamante, Antonio P. Doctor, Tony ‘Dunluna’, Rol P. Lampitoc, Rocille Lampitoc, Romi C. MananQuil, Toots Quiachon, and Jomedi Rollo. Except for three, all of the mentioned artists will be attending the show. Other P.A.G. members are Rolly Abarilla, Frank Cruzet, Tony Leyco, Maripi Leynes, Omel Masalunga, Mogi Mogado, and Frank Tonido.

The non-P.A.G. members who will complement them are the highly acclaimed BenCab of Baguio, Paris-based Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi, Lenore RS Lim from New York, Jun Bueno Silva from Chicago, Daniel H. Dizon from Pampanga, Rafael Asuncion, Pete Castaneda, Entes Magpusao, Bill Ibanez, Slim Torres, Platon Varquez and Francisco Verano from Metro Manila.

“Convergence Internationale” is sponsored by perennial supporter PNB Rapid Remit/PNB Remittance Company Canada (Patron of the Arts), Dr. Cheryle Bobila-Dumasal, Dr. Eric Domingo and Associates (Patrons), Pinksoda and Oakwood Premiere Ayala Centre (Benefactors). Part of the proceeds from this exhibition will be donated to the Philippine-Canadian Centre Foundation, Inc.
This historic exhibition may be visited online at: www.filipinoartists.com/convergence.

PRESS RELEASES:
Department of Foreign Affairs
The Manila Bulletin 2004