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PHL EMBASSY COMMEMORATES PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE AT BRUSSELS CITY HALL

01 July 2015 - Philippine Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg and Head of the Philippine Mission to the European Union Victoria S. Bataclan led Philippine Embassy personnel in welcoming around 200 officials from Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union, members of the private sector, the academe and the diplomatic corps to the celebration of the 117^th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence held at the auspicious Salle Gothique of the Hotel de Ville in the Grand Place of Brussels, Belgium on June 12.

This marked the first time that the Embassy is holding its Independence Day celebrations at the Hotel de Ville, a masterpiece of Gothic civil architecture in the 15^th century.

Michael Cu, the first Filipino who graduated from Belgium’s Royal Conservatory of Music, and Karlene Moreno-Hayworth, a London-based Filipina sopraino, provided outstanding renditions of Sa Kabukiran by Manuel Velez, Quel Guardo il Cavaliere by Gaetano Donizetti, Souvenir de Filipinas & Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran by Francisco Santiago, and Usahay by Juanito Gonzales.

The Lahing Kayumanggi Dance Company, led by its Art Director Ronnie del Barrio entertained the audience with their Cordillera, Buhay sa Nayon, Magandang Pilipinas, Principalia and Hari Raya numbers.

In her speech, the Philippine Ambassador expressed her gratitude to the City of Brussels for allowing a special event to be held in a memorable venue.

The reception also gave an opportunity for the Embassy to campaign for the candidature of Dr. Raul Pangalangan for the International Criminal Court.

Guests were also treated to give-aways from the Department of Agriculture and Department of Tourism.

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KAY TAMIS NG BUHAY STAGED AT  MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM  IN BRUSSELS TO CELEBRATE PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE

01 July 2015 - The Philippine Embassy in Brussels and Kunst Pilipino, a group dedicated to the promotion of Philippine arts and crafts, presented “Kay Tamis ng Buhay … sa sariling bayan” at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM), in the heart of Brussels, Belgium on June 13 as a musical celebration of the 117^th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.

The concert featured Brussels-based Filipino pianist Michael Cu and London-based soprano Karlene Moreno-Hayworth.

Michael Cu, has performed extensively as a soloist and accompanist in three continents.  He obtained his Bachelors in Piano Performance, summa cum laude as a scholar of Reynaldo Reyes in Towson University USA. He was a student of Daniel Blumenthal in the Royal Conservatory of Brussels and finished his Master’s and Post-Grade diplomas with distinction.

During the concert, he rendered solo piano pieces such as Philippine Dance by Mariano Aguilar, Harana by Francisco Buencamino, Theme & Variation on “Walay Angay” by Lucrecia Kasilag, Ang Larawan by Francisco Buencamino, Rippling Waters by Jose V. Rodis, Klintang by Ramon Santos and Souvenir de Filipinas by Francisco Santiago

Karlene Moreno-Hayworth, is magna cum laude graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Music.  She was a scholar at the Philippine High School for the Arts and was part of the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers.

She delighted the audience with her rendition of  Sa Kabukiran by Manuel P. Velez, Maalaala mo Kaya by Constancio de Guzman, Usahay by Nitoy Gonzales, Kay Tamis ng Buhay by Felipe P. de Leon, Ang Maya by Jose Estrella, Sa Ugoy ng Duyan by Levi Celerio & Lucio San Pedro, and Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran by Francisco Santiago.  

Kay Tamis ng Buhay, the Concert’s title is actually derived from an Aria from the opera “Noli Me Tangere”.   Its original words were penned by Dr. Jose Riza and its music composed by Felipe P. De Leon.

Kunst Pilipino is headed by Albert P. Arevalo.

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ART EXHIBIT OPENED AT PRESS CLUB BRUSSELS EUROPE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO FILIPINO MIGRANTS IN CELEBRATION OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE

01 July 2015 - The Philippine Embassy in Brussels, Kunst Pilipino, and the Kunst Gallery organized “Quo Vadis … Migrants” an art exhibition at the Press Club Brussels Europe from June 15 to 19. The exhibit paid tribute to the efforts and sacrifices of Filipino migrant workers all over the world by chronicling their stories in visual form.

Featured artist Aris Bagtas, a renowned visual artist who used acrylic as his primary medium to depict  mother and child and houses as a fitting reminder that Filipino migrant workers are attached to their families and to their home country.

“Quo Vadis … Migrants” also showcased the works of winners and participants of Quo Vadis Overseas Filipinos competition held in the Philippines.  The Grand Prize and Viewers Choice winner of that competition is Eman Sia’s “From the Land of Honey”. Wilfredo Rufon’s “Modern Heroes” won second place while Sherwin Paul Gonzales’ “Reflection of a Hero” won third.

Filipino community leaders and friends of the Philippines attended the exhibit opening on June 15. 

Kunst Gallery, headed by Mr. Virgilio Cuizon, also organized the painting competition in the Philippines.

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