High Art for Higher Cause

Yes, this is how guests saw Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala’s recent art exhibit at the historic Presidio Officer’s Club in San Francisco, USA. Marvelous and breathtaking photo artworks were the talk of the town as hundreds of who’s who in Philippine, US and European politics, business and arts graced this charitable event.

An art hobbyist and photographer for the past 30 years, Don Jaime is the dynamic chairman of Ayala Corporation. As an artist, Don Jaime usually deals with striking collages and digitally-enhanced images of flowers and scenery. Past exhibits showed him experimenting with colors and enthusiastic pieces. However, for the one done in San Francisco, Don Jaime sought to "actualize his being" as he was moved by the writings of Abraham Joshua Herschel. He did just that by presenting an expression of tranquility and simplicity in most of his subjects, depicting a combination of nature and its wonders, a reprieve from his usual style of screaming colors and brazen production.

No, he is not just some two-bit artist we see on the streets. For your enlightenment, Don Jaime has won several photography awards here and abroad. He is the first Filipino amateur photographer to be conferred a "Licentiate" by the Royal Photographic Society and has received similar commendations from the French and Spanish governments for his contributions to world arts and culture. But that’s not all, his works also contribute to benevolent causes, and this exhibit is just one of them.

Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Don Jaime’s handsome and charismatic hijo and head of the Ayala Foundation US (AF-US), explained this exhibit’s reason for being. He said that proceeds from the paintings would go straight to the foundation’s treasury to help fund AF-US’ various socio-economic programs. As it is, AF-US spearheaded the inauguration and ribbon-cutting held recently in the presence of top names and dignitaries. Notable names include art aficionado Lupita Aquino-Kashiwahara, Vicky Garchitorena, AF-US trustee and former chief of the Presidential Management Staff, Philippine Ambassador to the US Albert del Rosario and Consul General Delia Menez-Rosal in a scintillating red number. Also present were AF-US trustees Loida Nicolas-Lewis, a US-based FilAm business leader, US-based businessman Diosdado Banatao and journalist Greg Macabenta. Construction queen Celia Cuasay chatted spiritedly with Don Jaime, who had a shiney vine dramatically draped down his chest.

The foundation hopes to bridge Filipino-Americans with the Philippines through various projects that would raise awareness on the socio-economic conditions of Filipinos while working to improve the understanding and appreciation of Philippine culture and the arts among Filipino-Americans. These projects include Adopt-A-Barangay Program, La Mesa Dam Reforestation Program, the Cisco Networking Academies, the Project-Youth Tech., Habitat for Humanities, the Cebu Forest Park, Centex, the World Wildlife Fund Campaign, Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Leaf Foundation Incorporated, the Amaya Lay Foundation, Inc. and the Tabang Mindanaw Project.

Our praises go to Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala and the organizers and trustees of the Ayala Foundation-US for the creative and compassionate endeavors that will surely benefit the least of our brethren!

* * * There’s Nothing Fishy About Somethin’ Fishy

Aparade of Manila’s movers and shakers arrived at the blessing of Somethin’ Fishy, the hottest restaurant to open at the Eastwood City Walk in Libis. They came one by one, in twos and later in groups, to take part in a night of diversion and gastronomic delights from the sea.

When one enters the watery realm of Somethin’ Fishy, one can’t help but admire the walls adorned with a phalanx of giant barracuda, swordfish and sailfish in taxidermy mounted in every corner. The second floor has wall-sized murals of oil paintings depicting the fabulous underwater world of the Philippines. Along with these stuffed trophies are prize photos of the maritime exploits of the owners Emma Rose Policarpio, Biboy Enriquez, Louie Abiva, Lito Balqueda and their dearest friends.

What are the selections on the delicious dinner menu? Super fresh sashimi, braised squid, tender salmon steak, grilled swordfish and other mouth-watering seafood fare.

The guest list on the opening night included Metro Manila’s big fishes such as Senators Frank Drilon, Loren Legarda-Leviste, Noli de Castro and Kiko Pangilinan. Other famous faces in the crowd were Chavit Singson, Ruffa Gutierrez, Bobby Yan, Korina Sanchez, Mike Huang, Cogie Domingo and Stephanie Zubiri.

* * * The Philippines Commemorates National Day In Monaco

Philippine National Day was celebrated in Monaco with the reception hosted by Dr. Stephen Zuellig, consul general of the Philippines to Monaco, at the Salle Empire of the Hotel De Paris in Monte Carlo.

Many officials and well-known personalities of the Monegasque society attended this consular reception. Dr. Zuellig had the honor to welcome Prince Albert and Hector K. Villaroel, Philippine Ambassador to Paris. Prince Albert has always kept very good memories of his state visit to the Philippines in November 1999 and since then has extended his kind attention to the Philippine Consulate and to the Filipino community in Monaco.

The Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG), a folkloric group from the Mindanao State University, pleased the huge audience during the consular reception. The reception was attended by the high officials of the government and the Palace, most of the consular representatives accredited to the Principality of Monaco, among them the consuls general of China, Indonesia and Russia.

By the way, congratulations to the International Bazaar Foundation (IBF), headed by Susanna V. Ople, the very busy wife of Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople, for the very successful International Bazaar 2002 held at the World Trade Center in Pasay last Oct. 27.