Pala-isip

Fernando Cueto Amorsolo (May 30, 1892 – April 24, 1972) is one of the most important artists in the history of painting in the Philippines. Amorsolo was a portraitist and painter of rural Philippine landscapes. He is popularly known for his craftsmanship and mastery in the use of light. Born in Paco, Manila, he earned a degree from the Liceo de Manila Art School in 1909. Fernando Amorsolo, Self-portrait He is the Philippines' first National Artist in Painting (1972), the so-called "Grand Old Man of Philippine Art", Amorsolo earned a degree from the Liceo de Manila Art School in 1909 and entered the University of the Philippines' (UP) School of Fine Arts. He graduated with honors from the UP in 1914 and got study grant in Madrid, Spain. He was also able to visit New York, where he encountered postwar impressionism and cubism, which would be major influences on his work. The following are just a few of Amorsolo's work. Fernando Amorsolo became popular beca...

I found this interesting article from the Inquirer regarding the Marcos years leading to the EDSA revolution from the perspective of Roberto V. Ongpin who was Marcos' Minister of Trade and Industry. It's an interesting look at Philippine political history. Here's an excerpt. When the phone rang one day in May 1979, he was not to know that he would be caught in one of the most tumultuous chapters in Philippine history. “Do you know what time it is in London?” Roberto V. Ongpin said, the drowsiness evident in his voice. “It is 4 a.m.” “Bobby, the President wants to talk to you,” said the voice at the other end, half a world away in Malacañang. It was Ruben Ancheta, an aide to President Ferdinand Marcos. “Pare, please, give me two hours,” Ongpin said. “All right. I will tell him,” Ancheta said. Ongpin told the story of how he was conscripted by Marcos in an interview with the Inquirer at his penthouse office in the Alphaland Southgate Tower, a shopping mall an...

I found this great album on Facebook with a ton of historical photos of the Philippines with descriptions. You can find them at Edwin Francisco's Facebook account . It's a great way to learn about the Philippines and to look back in history. Here are some samples. Anda Monument, Manila, Philippines....Simón de Anda y Salazar (October 28, 1701 – October 30, 1776) was a Spanish Basque governor of the Philippines from July, 1770 to October 30, 1776. Anda Monument, just outside Intramuros,Manila 1902...Courtesy of skyscrapercity. Construction of the Rizal monument that was inaugurated in 1912....Photo courtesy of Mr.Renato Perdon The late Alejandro Roces showing to the media the retrieved original Noli me Tangere of Rizal which was stolen from the vault of the National Library of the Philippines....Photo courtesy of Mr.Renato Perdo Surrender of Japanese Forces in the Philippines, 1945 Surrender ceremonies at Baguio, Luzon, on 3 September 1945. The Japan...

Found this on Facebook . Here's the description. Devastation of Binondo after WW2 - the red square marks where Binondo Church is. In the foreground is the Post Office and the bridge leading to Sta Cruz. In the background you see empty land which is probably part of the Lee lumberyards and which is now present day Divisoria / Tondo. Check out the piers too - jutting out to sea in the upper left. Found this in skyscrapercity . Oh, and blame the Americans for bombing everything to pieces instead of going door to door.

Learn some history. Mas maganda padin ang Cupal kesa sa Ampatuan. lol...

This is the San Miguel Beer commercial that introduced Ina Raymundo to the world. And to a lot of young boys, their manhood.

The Senate and the House of Representatives early this week approved the addition of a ninth ray to the sun in the Philippine Flag during the bicameral conference on the disagreeing provisions of the two chambers’ versions of a measure amending the Flag and Heraldic Code. The ninth ray to the sun in the Philippine flag to acknowledge the courage, bravery, and integrity of Muslim Filipinos who fought for the nation's independence. Read the full story at the Philippine Daily Inquirer .

See how clean and orderly Manila was in the 1930s. Even with Calesas, there's no horse manure on the street. The Calesa drivers even wear nice clothes! Did you see how clean it is? It was better than Singapore at that time. Unfortunately, this will never happen again. Did you see that bottle that kid was drinking milk out of? That's BPA free! Hehehe... The Pasig river was a trade route as well.