Paintings evoke nationalist sentiments among Dutch Pinoys

by Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 06/28/2011 8:35 AM | Updated as of 06/28/2011 8:35 AM


A painting of Rigor Esguerra featuring Filipino street vendors. by Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

THE NETHERLANDS – The paintings displayed at an art exhibit in The Hague, Netherlands evoked nationalist sentiment and nostalgic feelings among Filipinos in the country.

The creative canvases that hung on the wall of the Muzee Scheveningen were very colorful.

But up close, goose bumps and heavy emotions were felt by many of the Filipinos who looked at the paintings.

The paintings are part of the exhibit on "Filipinism, what makes art Filipino?" of the Philippine Embassy and the Kunst Gallery, which made a tour of several European cities.

The exhibit featured the works of 5 Filipino painters.

The paintings by Max Balatbat, Erick Dator, Ronna Manansala, Vincent Christopher Gonzales and Rigor Esguerra brought back memories of the Philippines among the Dutch Pinoys who are long-time residents of The Netherlands.

The hit of the exhibit was "Batang Baler" Esguerra, with his paintings depicting the typical life of a street vendor and street food.

"Nakakatuwa kasi... you go on a sentimental journey. Brings back memories of your childhood and that daily life in Manila. I thank this artist here," said Philippine dance diva Becky Garcia.

Esguerra explained that he wants to show the importance of Filipino cart vendors, who contribute to the good of the country in their own little way.

Esguerra said that for a few coins, the common street food will be able to feed a hungry soul who does not have enough means.

"Yung dati na nakikita nila sa Pilipinas, tulad ng pagtitinda ng chicharon, samalamig at tubig, Marlboro cigarette, then balot. Tapos dito naman yung mga cart vendor ng fish ball, banana que, mais, toknene, 'yan ang karaniwang kinakain ng mga Pinoy," said Esguerra.

For abstractionist Balatbat, his theme is deep and intense as he aimed to show the beauty of his hometown Caloocan, which has a reputation of being a haven for prostitutes and bad elements.

"Inspirasyon ko dito kagaya netong mga patterns na to. Top view ng mga shanties sa lugar namin. Yung mismong lugar ng mga puta. Pagtinignan mo para syang tela, pinagsapalsapal na tela. Kinuha ko yun sa pagsasama ng inspirasyon ko yung mga puta, pagsasama ng mga panty ng mga puta," Balatbat said.

According to Balatbat, one should not judge a place by it exterior.

One only needs to look more closely into the hearts of its residents and see the smiles on the faces of the people living there in order to see its real beauty.

Yet again, he refers to his beloved Caloocan.

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/06/28/11/paintings-evoke-nationalist-sentiments-among-dutch-pinoys

PH Embassy in Holland holds dual Araw ng Kalayaan celebrations

by Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

Posted at 06/22/2011 2:31 PM | Updated as of 06/22/2011 2:31 PM

HOLLAND-Not to be outdone and dwarfed by the Dutch Pinoy’s grand celebration of the 113th Independence Day, the Philippine Embassy in The Hague held two events of its own.

On Independence Day itself, the Embassy held a Filipiniana breakfast for its staff and for members of the Filipino community.

The festivity commenced with a Holy Mass officiated by Archbishop Arguelles, followed by a flag-raising ceremony and reciting of the Panatang Makabayan.

The breakfast fare of fried rice, longganisa, tocino, tapa, fried eggs and salted eggs with tomatoes certainly took the Dutch Pinoy guests back to the Philippines as they got a taste of home.

Topping the authentic Filipino breakfast was the Philippine flag cake.

And for a more stately event, the Embassy held a diplomatic reception which was attended by more than 80 members of the Diplomatic Corps, led by the U.S. Ambassador to The Netherlands.

“This is the second Independence Day that I am able to celebrate with the Filipinos and I very much admire that they have made it into such a creative and exuberant way,” Ambassador Fay Hartog-Levin told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.

The regal gathering also featured the mother and son tandem of Mabel and Kim Regasa who provided the entertainment, show-casing to the foreigners the inherent talent of Filipinos in singing.

Dubbed as the mini-Michael Jackson of Holland, Dutch-Pinoy Kim rose to fame as a finalist in last year’s Holland’s Got Talent.

Special guest for the event was Dutch singer Marcel Duprix who wrote the song “Here I Am”, which he says became a hit in the Visayas.

“A friend of mine…asked me to write a song to help support a children's village. So I wrote the song and when I was back in Holland, three months later he sent me a video clip. He was in a taxi, the song was on the radio in the Philippines and they played it eight times a day so he said Marcel you have to go back to the Philippines and perform your song because people love your song,” Duprix said.

Duprix said he aims to help the needy children in the Philippines through music so that all the proceeds from the sale of the “Here I Am” single will go directly to the children’s village of Padre Burgos in Leyte.

The embassy has definitely shot two birds with one stone, that of commemorating and celebrating with the kababayans and foreigners the most important day of being a Filipino and also helping a Dutch citizen promote a charity project in the Philippines

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM


http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/06/22/11/ph-embassy-holland-holds-dual-araw-ng-kalayaan-celebrations

Joma Sison joins PH Independence Day rite

by Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 06/13/2011 7:29 PM | Updated as of 06/13/2011 10:52 PM


NETHERLANDS - The 113th celebration of Philippine Independence on Saturday became memorable for the more than 4,000 Filipinos and Dutch who were at the Spaarnwoude Park in Haarlemmermeer.

In the middle of the Independence Day musical program, Communist Party of the Philippines founding chair Jose Maria Sison surprisingly showed up, causing a commotion among Pinoys who scrambled to shake his hand or pose for photos with him.

It was indeed very rare for Sison to attend such a festivity, especially since it has always been held in a very big park packed with more than 6,000 people every year. However, the stormy weather dampened the attendance this year.

According to Sison, he hasn't been to the Filipino community's Independence Day celebrations since 1999 because of fear for his security.

"Me mga reports na me mga hit team na pinalakad nun ng rehimen sa Pilipinas so bilang pag-iingat kaya di ako sumisipot sa Independence Day," Sison told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.

Sison said he decided to finally join the biggest gathering of Filipino communities in Holland after intelligence report showed there is no threat to his security.

"Normal na sumasama ako sa mga kasayahan ng Filipino community. Kahit na open air ito, nagustahan ko, dahil marami, me libong Pilipino ngayon at ako'y natutuwa na nakikiisa sa kanila sa kanilang pagdiriwang ng independence day," Sison said.

The Philippine Embassy staff, led by Charge d'Affaires Frank Cimafranca, was also there. Sison’s presence became the greatest show of unity among Filipinos.

"I heard that he [Sison] came but I think it's a good thing. He should join with the Filipino Community in celebration of Philippine Independence. Kasama yan sa pagkakaisa. Hopefully back home, they will try to approach the peace process positively and let's unite as a people and let's do away with violence and use of force," Cimafranca said.

Sison said he has not observed any bad blood between the 2 parties involved in the ongoing peace talks.

Sison added the second round of formal talks had only been disrupted because of the Philippine government’s opposition to free the individuals who are protected under the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees or JASIG. The kinks have already been smoothened out, he said.

There is a great belief among the Pinoys here that the time to be one as a nation and as a people has finally come.

SOURCE:WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3527450582355285238

'Araw ng Kalayaan' brings Dutch-Pinoys together

By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 06/18/2010 1:22 PM | Updated as of 06/19/2010 12:12 AM


HOLLAND - This year’s biggest gathering of Filipinos in Holland took place yet again on the 112th anniversary of the Philippine Independence Day.

“Ito’y talagang kahanga-hanga sapagkat akalain mo pwede pa lang ipunin ang ganitong karaming Filipinos nitong Independence Day, 12 of June. Alam mo naman dito, ang mga Pilipino kalat-kalat pero pwede naman pa lang ipunin,” said Philippine Ambassador Cardozo Luna.

In fact, Philippine Independence Day is the only day when Filipinos coming from the different parts of Holland flock to the Spaarnwoude Park to see each other.

This year, more than 7,000 Filipinos came to celebrate the Philippine Independence Day. Filipino families set up tents and held barbeque picnics in the park. Bigger stalls also offered almost everything from food to clothing to bags and fashion accessories.

A cultural show entertained Filipinos and guests and even earned the admiration of the Mayor of Haarlemerliede and Spaarnwoude.

“We really see that Filipino people in Holland, not only in Holland but also in Germany or Belgium, they are really part of society and still they are keeping their culture without any problem,” said Mayor Bruijn.

Pinay diva of Holland, Nhelly dela Rosa, was the event’s emcee. “Nage-emcee ako for nothing. Ito na lang ang pwede kong maitutulong sa mga kababayan natin. So I actually encouraged each and everyone lalo na yung mga sikat dito na tulungan natin ang community natin,” she said.

Dela Rosa is a well-known singer in Holland, having won a national singing competition here.

Meanwhile, the highlight of the celebration was the concert of Randy Santiago which produced a pack of swooning Pinays.

At the closing of the celebration, current organizer United Filipino Dutch Association (UFDA) passed on the torch to Baranggay Sa Holland after 2 years of service.

UFDA had been organizing the event under the Kalayaan Fiesta Foundation (KFF) and its term has ended this year.

According to UFDA, there would be a lot of changes and improvements, such as a bigger involvement of the youth that will be seen next year.

“Introducing the youth, step-by-step, one-by-one they will be taking charge…maybe after two years. We will see how they will go,” KFF outgoing president, Jimmy Munoz said.

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/06/18/10/araw-ng-kalayaan-brings-dutch-pinoys-together

'Father Cool' gets a surprise party from Pinoys

By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 06/11/2010 12:23 PM | Updated as of 06/11/2010 12:23 PM


THE HAGUE - A Dutch pastor dubbed as “Father Cool” by the international community in The Hague received a big surprise from Filipinos and expatriates.

Father Sjaak de Boer has been serving for 13 years as pastor of the Church of Our Saviour, the English-speaking church of Filipinos in The Hague.

Because the international community loves “Father Cool” so much, they gave him a big party for his 50th birthday, which the Dutch calls Abraham.

“He’s the longest priest that we ever had since I joined the parish so ibig sabihin he has really contributed a lot to the growth of the parish and that’s the reason why we are all very grateful to his leadership,” said Manuelito Tomas, who has been going to the same church for 26 years now.

Fr. Sjaak has a very strong charisma and his cool style is embraced by people of all ages.

“I try to talk about things that matter in the world so that they can identify themselves with what’s going on. I try to connect faith to solidarity and spirituality to something that gives hope and has meaning. Then the prayer, the heart, the hands, the head, they go together,” Fr. Sjaak said.

His Mass is so unique that every Sunday, the church is always jam-packed.

“It’s good to include as many people as you can [in the Mass] so it’s not just the priest and altar servers but it’s also many groups, many volunteers so everybody feels this celebration is their celebration, that they’re not just looking at it, they’re participating in it,” said Fr. Sjaak.

Many Filipinos are inspired to join and be active in the church service like Ernie Pineda. Since 1992, Pineda has been assisting in the Mass every Sunday.

“Matulungin siya [Father Sjaak], kahit anong kailangan mo palagi siyang nasa sa iyo, spiritual or whatever, nandyan siya kaya mahal siya ng tao,” Pineda said.

But the Pinoys, too, are very close to the priest’s heart.

“They eat well, they cook well, they like to party, and it’s all good Catholic living,” said Fr. Sjaak.

He regards the Filipinos as a big gift to the international community because of their never-ending service and undying dedication to the Church.

“The Filipino people take with them all over the world that gentle atmosphere of their country, the music and their faith, which is contagious,” he said.

The priest hopes that with the help of Pinoys and expats, he will be able to maintain his mission of making Christ visible to the world.

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/06/11/10/father-cool-gets-surprise-party-pinoys

Dutch Pinoys ask Aquino to extend envoy’s term

By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 06/09/2010 8:05 PM | Updated as of 06/09/2010 8:05 PM

HOOFDDORP, The Netherlands – Filipinos in Holland appealed to proclaimed Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to extend the tenure of the its envoy assigned in The Netherlands.

Ambassador Cardozo Luna is a political appointee of President Arroyo. He arrived in The Hague in August 2009. His stint as envoy is co-terminus with President Arroyo’s term which ends on June 30.

“The president has the prerogative whoever he/she wants to represent him and the new president has the new prerogative to choose his representatives in the different countries where we have posts,” Luna said.

Luna could not say yes or no to the Pinoys who are imploring him to stay longer. He said it is only up to the new president to extend his appointment.

“Ako naman sanay na ako sa magsilbi sa gobyerno. For the past almost 40 years, I have devoted my productive years in serving my countrymen. Kahit saan ako ilagay whether in diplomatic post, whether in local positions back home in our country or even as retired private citizen. As I have said, we serve at the pleasure of the president,” Luna explained.

Filipinos first felt awkward at Luna’s appointment because he is a former general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. There were also suspicions as to his appointment as ambassador in a country where Communist Party of the Philippines’ founding Chair Jose Maria Sison, National Democratic Front staff and other political refugees reside.

But after close scrutiny, Luna immediately received the Filipino community’s stamp of approval and even became close to the Pinoys.

“Nakita namin mas naging malapit siya sa mga tao dito sa mga Filipino at nakikita mo ang kanyang humility, nakikisama siya. Kahit galing siya sa mga top guns sa Pilipinas, nandoon pa din siya sa mababa at kasama ng mga tao dito kaya napamahal siya ng husto sa mga Filipino dito,” said Jun Ortega, a Pinoy from Hoofddorp.

Even the Dutch love him and his family.

“Talagang pagnakausap mo siya parang kaibigan lang. Pati yung asawa niya ang bait din. Pag tawag mo siyang madame, sabi niya di ako madame, Joyce lang. Sayang lang kung wala na si Ambassador Luna dito eh,” said Tagalog-speaking Dutch Peter van Overbeeke said.

The Pinoys are asking the new government to prolong Luna’s service to his countrymen here in Holland.

For them, Luna is God-sent and they consider his political appointment as one of the good and meaningful deeds that President Arroyo accomplished during her regime.

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/06/09/10/dutch-pinoys-ask-aquino-extend-envoy%E2%80%99s-term

Pinoys join dance for a united Belgium

By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 06/04/2010 7:24 PM | Updated as of 06/04/2010 8:18 PM

BRUSSELS, Belgium – The youth in Belgium sent a strong message for their countrymen to think about before the general elections on June 13.

The young people in Brussels are already frustrated at the lack of a solid direction for their country as their government collapsed for the third time.

Hence, the high school students of Sacre Coeur de Lindthout organized “A Dance For A United Belgium” in order to ask that the Francophone and the Flemish to unite.

For so long, Belgians have been “linguistically” divided, but the separation has become far more serious now when the country is left without a government for quite some time.

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/06/04/10/pinoys-join-dance-united-belgium


Through dance, the young Belgians, including Pinoys, showed that it is possible to cooperate and unite regardless of the color of one’s skin.

Filipino Louron Adrian Paras choreographed majority of the dance numbers.

“By dancing with other cultures like Turkish people, African people, American people, I want to show that different cultures can make beautiful dances. They can cooperate. It’s a great way to show cooperation between the countries,” said Paras, a 5th year high school student.

Paras showcased the inherent Pinoy talent in dancing as he strutted and “moonwalked” to Michael Jackson’s songs.

Other Filipinos from different classes also participated in the dance. One number which the non-Pinoy Belgians loved was the “Nobody, Nobody But You”.

“It’s magnificent to see them dance before a multi-cultural audience because the Korean and Philippine dances are not known here and it also allows others to show these cultures which are not otherwise very known here,” teacher Isabelle Gomand said.

Paras gained a lot of fans and admirers including Pinoys.

“Proud po ako kasi Filipino siya. Para pong nasa dugo natin na may kaya tayo na gawin. Creative po ang Pinoy and pwede tayong sumali sa kahit saang competition,” Bonbon Romero said.

“Ang Pinoy kahit saan the best talaga kahit saan sulok ng mundo dalhin, the best talaga,” said John Fhermyl.

For these young citizens of Belgium, it is their dream to have a better and peaceful world but it can only be achieved if unity will start right in their own country.