International UNICEF Artist Manuel Baldemor Paints the HeArt of Philippine Culture in Toronto

By Michelle Chermaine Ramos
Toronto-Canada
June 23, 2015



On Monday June 15, 2015, the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto hosted an art exhibition in celebration of the 117^th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence featuring the paintings of international multi award-winning UNICEF artist Manuel Baldemor at Novotel hotel in North York.

The exhibition, titled, Doon Po Sa Amin (In My Hometown) features a series of vibrant colorful mixed media and acrylic paintings of Baldemor’s nostalgic recollections of his homeland, Paete, in the Philippines.

These charming images of rural life, family time. lively fiestas, traditional dances, places of worship and folk musicians depict the heart of Filipino culture, values, traditions and what Filipinos hold most dear.  

The Koro ng Konsulado Heneral (The Consulate General’s Choir) sang the national anthem before Councillor James Pasternak and Consul General Rosalita S. Prospero performed the ribbon cutting ceremony with Baldemor.  Following musical renditions of traditional folk songs by Amsky Ramos Chan and Isan Aquino, Consul General Prospero and Manuel Baldemor presented one of his paintings to Councillor Pasternak as a gift to the city of Toronto.

The reception was well-received by various foreign diplomats befitting his fame as the most travelled artist, having exhibited his work in over 50 countries. As a global traveller, he paints vivid impressions of each country he visits celebrating the beauty of the diversity of various cultures around the world. A selection of his work in the Doon Po Sa Amin series was also displayed at the North York Civic Centre from June 15 – 19, 2015.

With the special invitation of the Philippine embassy, Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia and Consul General Rosalita S. Prospero, Baldemor’s art tour is the highlight of Philippine Independence Day celebrations in Canada in the cities of Ottawa, Montreal. Toronto and Vancouver before he continues his journey as a Philippine ambassador of the arts in New York, Mexico, Liechtenstein and Geneva.

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Look out for Manny Baldemor’s exclusive interview with PMNTV coming up on www.pmntv.ca