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to complete his 20 year project about Magellan, Kidlat answered that as a story teller he works within the framework of historical reference, but tells the story in his own way therefore there is no script and no story boards.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
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
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