Washington, DC Welcomes Kidlat Tahimik

Hoy pinsan,

Am in Woodshole Ma. Just showed my bahag (aka my butt) in a performance after my film showing here. Tommorrow I show Turumba. Also I did an installation -- which is a smaller> version of my installation last month in Venice Biennale. Am trying to find a posibility of going to Wash dc next week. Want to touch base with you--- if you're there-- so we can discuss when you come to the islands... kailan nga ba? So let me know your sked. Email me
Kidlat

*hi julio.....
Hey, I didnt know that you are a look-alike of kidlat-tahimik or vice versa, except for the hair-do. here is one story of what I recall what a tutubi for us in metrica, but I cant recall if you were already there with us that time or you came in metrica a few years later, otherwise you would have included this in your right up.To us in metrica the tutubi is nothing but a play-toys.The story goes like this, during our childhood years, if you remember there was a vacant lot full of talahib (infront of Letty's house). Si TonyBoy deLeon ang nagturo sa amin nito. As when nighttime begins(pagdating ng takipsilim), I , loy, deleon brothersPip, baby and sometimes boy, and kunchong would go to the talahib and some trees growing there like the aratiris, bringing a lighted candles and we wouild slowly crawl to the talahib and find so many tutubis hanging and leeping there. We woould then pick-up these tutubis just like picking up apples (or aratiris) and put them inside a bottle with vented-holes on the ears bottle caps. Then the following daytime we would play with the tutubis, we would cut airplane-shaped, helicopters, etc and let them go ,some would be able to fly high and never to be caught again but you see them in the talahib again at nighttime falls, while some would crash (fall-down) to the ground either due to exhaustion sa loob ng bottles, or due to the heavy weight of the paper-airplane on their back.
What an interesting days to remember our childhood-days. Pats


Julian Oteyza, Tutubi Productions; Consul General, Philippine Embassy; Jocelyn Batoon-Garcia; Deputy Chief of Mission, Philippine Embassy, Evan Garcia; Kidlat Tahimik; Linda Pirrone, Tutubi Productions

Kidlat Comes to Washington, DC

Is it a film screening? Is it an art exhibit? Is it a stage show? Is it a family reunion? Just what exactly happened at American Legion Post 139 on Sunday, August 14th? Billed as a special screening of one of Kidlat Tahimik’s award winning films, the evening was full of surprises. After showing a “work in progress” story of the Kidlat version of Magellan’s slave, Kidlat himself treated us to an impromptu vignette of going through customs and having to have his bags and his person searched. One by one he exposed his treasures, a nose flute, a bamboo camera, a frying pan and eventually removed all of his traveling clothing to reveal a bahag. Clad in this bahag he ended his skit by banging the skillet with a stick and loudly exited the hall. When he returned he entertained questions and provided answers to his part of the creative process of story telling. In answer to a question of how much money it would take to complete his 20 year project about Magellan, Kidlat answered that as a story teller he works within the framework of historical reference, but tells the story in his own way therefore there is no script and no story boards. The Consul General of the Philippine Embassy, Jocelyn Batoon-Garcia and her husband, Evan Garcia spent time catching up with Kidlat’s adventures since they first met him in Japan. Philippine-American Foundation for Charities, Inc. President, Mary Anne Fadul said she enjoyed the screening and the chance to meet the legendary Kidlat Tahimik. When we thanked Jun Eusebio for attending the event, he said, “I wouldn’t have missed this for anything.”
After the film screening and the question and answer period, Tutubi Productions Linda Pirrone explained to the audience that Kidlat Tahamik is Julian Oteyza and Maurese Oteyza Owens cousin and has established an art space in Baguio dedicated to the art and memory of his uncle Victor Oteyza – Julian and Maurese’s father who was one of the 15 Neo Realists who founded the modern art movement in the Philippines in the 1950’s. In honor of Kidlat’s visit to Washington, DC, the progeny of Victor and Leonila Oteyza, Maurese, Julian, Charles, Nikki, Tanya, and Michelle “Kye” surrounded the hall with their works of art. Of course there were 2 of Victor’s works on display also. Joining this family exhibit were friends and family from throughout the area including: Josie Lim Cruz; Mel Vera Cruz; Uylsses Durete; Euforsina “Presy” Guevara; Marielle Mariano; Kevin Owens; Linda Pirrone; Satomi Cheena Pirrone; Frank Redondo; Jerico Tugado and the Philippine-American Foundation for Charities, Inc., sponsored Children’s Art Contest winning entries.
The next event was a photo opportunity with all of the artists surrounding Kidlat and a presentation of Tutubi bookmarks. What is a Tutubi, you ask? In the Philippines the dragonfly is called a tutubi. In Native American medicine the tutubi embodies a stripping away of all the beliefs that limit our abilities to achieve a dream of a goal, and it is to remind us that anything is possible when we really understand that we are part of a Greater Spirit and as such we have the power to manifest anything that we desire. Linda told the artists when tutubi energy enters their life, to be ready for transformation. This is a cycle that allows you to claim your real power, step forth renewed and encourage others to follow in flight when they are ready.
The assembled guests continued to mingle among the artwork and appeared to enjoy the food, fellowship, and the chance to talk one-on-one with each of the artists to discuss the creative process and explore different interpretations. Although several of the guests offered donations for the evening’s event, this production was intended to welcome Kidlat to Washington, DC and focused on sharing our cultural wealth with the community-at-large. If one person left the American Legion Post that evening walking a little bit taller because of the beauty and freedom that was offered through the many varieties of creative expression that filled the few hours we were together, then Tutubi Productions achieved its purpose.
So the next time you get an invitation from Tutubi Productions, expect the unexpected. It could be a screening that turns into an acting exhibition, that turns into an impromptu feast of delicious pansit provided by Leonila Oteyza, that turns into an art exhibit celebrating the creations of those from 3 years of age and up, or it could just be an evening when you can get together with your friends and family and feel good. Whenever you can join us, lets soar to new heights. Julian Oteyza and Linda Pirrone 2005

*****Hi pinsan, Have been busy finishing my entry to the JVC videocontest. Read your Tutubi philosophy which runs along my personal lifestyle. Great spiritual resonance form-those perspectives. And in terms of what Uncle Vic quietly struggled for-- the vision goes on. Keep on scattering the light. Hope your plans to visit the land of brown stokes eventually pulls through. It might be good for soul inputs in your art (and Linda's too) VOCAS is still waiting for your presence and hopefully a similar show to that family exhibition we had in DC. Kawayan and Kabunyan are working on an artists get together tomorrow 22 Oct at vocas which includes exhibits, poetry readings and performances. Yesterday was a mad hectic day as the deadline for the big ASEAN Art AWARDs painting contest (Which Kawayan won last year in Bankok). This time Kabunyan and 6 other young artists rushed their finishing touches in VOCAS-under the guided inspiration of Uncle Vic I'm sure-and in LTM got their supporting papers birth certificates, artist statement, photos, lawyers affidavit that each guy swears he made the art work . Of course fisnishing a painting is fun, but the paperwork was a nightmare everybody left for the last two minutes. Anyway they all had a relaxing drink at vocas last night. Regarding the VOCAS foundation incorporationpapers-remember I was to get your signatures on theway to the airport. (Wow still don't what happened) I left them with Emma. But I guess I'll ask abdul to sign first and then get your signature so the papers can be sent to Baguio and the rest of the family can sign. It's a document establishing an art foundation in honor of uncle Vic and we are all founding members. Its non profit and has a lofty goal of encouraging art in the cordilleras and in the north. Your names are of symbolic importance and certainly your inputs into thefuture activities will be welcome. After all in this age of E mail the instant sharing of artistic ideas is so much easier. Basically the venue has been created thanks to LaAzotea's generousity to give a social contribution tothe community (Hence the name Victor Oteyza CommunityArt Space). The incorporation of the foundation is to insitutionalize legally the mission of the non-profit corporation to execute a vision on that physical venue. (for which we are all incorporators). Eventually there will be a board and admistrative staff as the operations grow. For now we are institutionalizing the ideal through this SEC papers which I have left with you as a fellow incorporator for your signature. Regarding your paintings, they are temporarily storedhere at home hanging over the fireplace (Not in thefireplace!) and one at pata's home next door. We are still hoping to have your formal show with other works of you and Unvcle Vic-when the cosmos wills it. Per you wish I could also hang them in a special corner at VOCAS since there is also more exposure there-sometimes art affcctionados and curators fromManila go out there. (Send me something we can print out to give background to the dyslexart to post beside the paintings). Unfortunately I have no time nor experience to find you a show in Manila. (Wasn't the GSIS Museum curator a good networking contact?) But in the meantime we'll sample it in VOCAS. Whacha think, pinsan? So hope Tutubi flight soars to the heavens.Regards to Linda, Aunte Leo and the rest of the caboodle (A word I first heard from Uncle Vic)Pinsan-ly, kidlat tahimik

Kidlat Wearing His Formal Attire at a Special Reception Arranged by Tutubi Artists Julian Oteyza and Linda Pirrone

Comments

Tutubi Productions Presents
A Very Special Screening of Kidlat Tahimik’s award winning film, TURUMBA, Sunday, August 14th 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
[ light refreshments available during “meet the artist session” ]
American Legion Post 139 , 3445 North Washington Boulevard ,Arlington, Virginia 22201
703-522-1390

Comment:

*Hi, Julian! Thanks for thinking of me and sending me some information about Kidlat Tahimik. I find the personality sketch interesting but I enjoyed your pictures as well, recognizing too Papoose and Kevin. I wouldn't have any idea of how you'd look now since the last time I saw you was many moons ago, long before you and the family left for the US of A. That was a good move to send me your picture. How fast time flies -- it was only like yesterday when we were in Quantico, Arlington, Virginia with your mom and at another time, dinner with the Owens. Kindly give them my best wishes too, especially your mom. She's a great friend and a great lady.
I hope you won't begrudge me for saying this, but to this day, I still can't seem to get myself "aclimatized" to a popular penchant -- or is it more of a favorite pastime? -- which I have observed among Filipino exiles here in the North America. And this is to personalize the Filipino as half-naked, pranked out with trinkets, armlets, or a gaudy feathered headgear, and wearing some glad rags below the waistline to hide his carbuncle. You will have to forgive me but this is my take out from what I've seen of the pictures of Kidlat Tahimik, and other Pinoy artists, even entertainers, just like the clowns here in Vancouver, whenever they portray the Filipino before other audiences. No wonder that some innocent pilgrims think most pinoys back home still dwell in nipa huts, if not in caves. Not meaning to be critical, but just expressing my amazement at the seeming single-mindedness of some Filipino artist/expats, almost like showing an Iroqoius, Mohican, or Apache to symbolize the American race. There seems to be an orgasmic craving to picture the Filipino as the Ifugao or Humabon or Kamlon types. Following this logic, we might as well show the Cro-Magnon relic to typify the human race, if not the French. The Filipino has certainly evolved beyond his indigenous or native moorings since the days of Magellan and should be freed, for once, from this kind of sloppy stereotyping and undisguised identity crisis. Again, no reflection on your friend's personhood and dignity, but just hoping to provide a much kinder disposition and genuineness to the face of the Filipino -- notwithstanding the perennial baggage of rotten political ragamuffins that has slowed him down through the years. O, Bayan Ko!
Take care and again, warm regards to all! -- pio

WHO IS KIDLAT TAHIMIK?

“Kidlat Tahimik is the first Filipino filmmaker, who won an international recognition abroad for filmmaking. His 93-minute documentary Mababa­ngong Ba­ngungot (Perfumed Nightmare) won the International Critics Award at the Berlin Festival and a Blue Ribbon at the American Film Festival in 1978. The filmmaker and artist also travels abroad as a resource speaker on short film documentary and is actively working with villagers of Ifugao to save the rice terraces, which are now in a state of deterioration.” [The Manila Times, February 16, 2004]
TURUMBA – is actually Kidlat’s first film. It focuses on one family’s traditional occupation of making papier-mâché animals for the Turumba religious festival in a Filipino village. Everything changes when a German agent buys all their stock and order more for the Oktoberfest celebration in Germany; soon the family’s seasonal occupation becomes a year-round routine of alienated labor. Eventually the whole village is converted into a jungle assembly line to produce papier-mâché mascots for the Munich Olympics. With the intrusion of electric fans, TV sets, Beatle records, and the compulsion of work schedules, the traditional rhythm of family and village life is irretrievably broken.
For more information contact TuTuBi Productions, Julian Oteyza (703) 969-5469

*well done Julian!! and more power to your 22B. it's a great name to have. if you translate it literally in english it would mean to become! galing. and that's exactly what you're sharing with others.. to become.. ! creative talaga ang mga Oteyzas.
regards,
Ria