Day 28 - SALINLAHI - Our Park has Finally Risen in Puerto Princesa!!!

The Pacific Rim Salinlahi Park was officially dedicated by Mayor Edward Hagedorn for the City of Puerto Princesa.

It overlooks the sea, where dolphin watch tours are done... so this park will eventually become a new stop for tourists who go on those tours.
CANVAS' Looking for Juan Outdoor Banner Exhibit lined the back of the park, defining its space, and also partly shielding an old, dilapidated and abandoned building in the back.

That building will eventually be torn down, and we hear it will be the site of the campus for the City's planned international school for the environment.One one of the walls of the structure, they did a flower mosaic. The students from each of the countries represented (Russia, the US, China, Korea and the Philippines) got to work and express their thoughts on one petal.

The Pacific Rim Sanlahi Park is now in the good hands of the city, which has committed to forever run it as a public space. We hope it provides the spark that will turn its big dreams into reality, while also becoming a bridge to continued peace and harmony among the peoples of the Pacific.

Cheers to everyone involved for all the hard work, dedication and commitment. It has truly been a privilege being part of this great, and lasting project! :-)





The Looking for Juan Outdoor Banner Project was made possible in part by generous support from The Pag-IBIG Fund.

Emilie Ledieu shares her thoughts.....

It is said that to give is to receive, and at this very moment I believe that we, as a group, are all feeling this notion strongly. We are giving the gift of a park, a park which most of us will not be able to visit or use frequently. However, in exchange, we receive two of the greatest and most unique of gifts: this special time and each other.

We have strung yet another pearl onto this beautiful necklace surrounding the majestic Pacific Ocean. I know that whenever life brings us near this water again, we will look out onto its power and remember this remarkable time. It has been a time of learning on the highest of levels. In this classroom like no other we have gained knowledge not only from our teachers (Jim and Kyle), but from the materials we build with (the cement, the steel, the tiles, and all of the tools), the land we are building on (with its wonderfully diverse flora/fauna and enchanting view), the ocean (with its endlessly inspiring horizon), and, perhaps most importantly, we learn invaluable lessons from each other (as individuals and as representatives of our culture).

We may be giving a gift of a pearl and its park to Puerto Princesa, but I genuinely believe that we have become the clams, each with a newfound and stubborn piece of sand slowly and patiently growing into a pearl deep within. The Pacific Rim Parks house the physical pearls, but now our hearts and souls carry pearls as well. Therefore, we are receiving a gift; a gift which will stay with us for the rest of our lives. As we share the magic of our individual pearls with the world around us, the necklace continues to grow, change, and inspire. This is how the Pacific Rim Park project can bring a bit of peace to the world, as it has clearly already brought friendship. This wondrous strand of pearls reaches far beyond the pacific; it reaches the four corners of the world.

We have all struggled, at times, throughout the last month. There have been minor injuries, illness, some bruises, many aches, and maybe even a bit of homesickness. With this said, today when taking a moment to soak in this magnificent white arch that we have built, poised on a ridge and ready to take flight out onto the Pacific, any and all adversity melted away…flew away on its precious wings. The only feelings remaining were awe and complete peace. Today peace was made in the form of a park.

Emilie Ledieu is a mosaic artist from Philadelphia, USA.

Day 27 - Tomorrow is the BIG day!!!!!!

"Pacific Rim Salinlahi Park"

The name reflects the City's and the builder's vision of the park as a gift to the next generation.

To commemorate the opening tomorrow, CANVAS mounted its first Outdoor Banner Art Project
featuring images from the "Looking for Juan" show at the CCP.


Then the rest of the day was spent doing the planting and landscaping of the park.

The staff of NCCC Shopping Mall headed by Engineer Jusette Cortes were there for the day to help.


Then its time to celebrate the team's achievement. :)






The Looking for Juan Outdoor Banner Project was made possible in part by generous support from The Pag-IBIG Fund.

Day 26 - The Last TWO Days :)

Two more days before the final launch and we are positive that we will FINISH everything on time.

They finished painting the arc with white paint.


The highlight of the park - the black blue pearl - was done using mosaic tiles.


Big trucks came to help bring more sand and level the land area.


Horticulturists from Puerto Prinsesa visited the site to check the soil condition and the delivery of plants also came.


In the afternoon they started doing the wood work for the trellis.

They put so much love and hardwork for this park and now that we are counting the days we are hoping that everything will fall into place. :)

Day25 - The Last Three Days

It's a day of doing the artistic touches for the park. Below, the students are busy doing the mosaics for the benches.

The arc was finally painted in white.


During their break, the team had a glimpse of the progress of the park.


They've also started doing the trellis for the columns, where the bougainvillas will be put.

And more proper digging for the cherry blossom trees.


James checking out the student's work on the stoneworks for the flooring.


Since they've been working so hard, more happy shoes for the hardworking people.


And for dinner, they went to "Kamarikutan" art and gallery restaurant. Kamarikutan means wilderness in the Cuyonon dialect.

It's a long day of hard work, fun and laughter. :)

Message in the Sand - The Studies!

Day 24 - The Last Four Days

For the past few days, weather forecasts warned of rains and bad weather. Fortunately, the forecasts have been way off, and so far there has been no trace of rain. We are keeping our fingers crossed that it will stay this way until our launch this coming Saturday!


The city government of Puerto Princesa is helping us with the planting of trees. As planned, the park will be surrounded by pink cherry blossom trees endemic to Palawan.


Anne Hubbell, the wife of James Hubbell, arrived this morning and paid us a visit.


Below, it's finally time to say goodbye to our beloved cement mixer. :-(

And finally, we are thinking of a name of the park! Can you help? :-)

More on our Looking for Juan at the CCP Show!

The Philippine Daily Inquirer just did another feature on our "Looking for Juan" show at the CCP! :-)

========================================

Looking for the Filipino, not just Pacquiao
By Katrina Stuart Santiago
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 18:45:00 05/24/2009

MANILA, Philippines – Projects that deal with the creation of a Filipino identity are always bound to be met by debate and objections, violent reactions and a lot of hair-pulling. And rightfully so.

At a time when we are being told that Manny Pacquiao is our sense of identity, we must be able to kick and scream our way toward a better sense of who we are.

“Looking for Juan Outdoor Banner Project,” an art exhibit organized by the Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development (Canvas), seems to be a step in the right direction. With artists asked to create works that respond to the question of Filipino identity, the first batch of paintings on exhibit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is telling of the individual minds of our young contemporary artists. It is indicative of where we are as a nation.

On that hot evening of the exhibit’s opening night, the slew of paintings hanging on the walls of the second- and third-floor hallways and the Little Theater lobby wall of the CCP was surprisingly refreshing.

The youthfulness was hard to ignore, owing to the bright optimistic colors on the canvases. Even when a given canvas dealt with dark hues, there seemed to be something light and pleasant about the general look of the paintings.

Heartwarming

It could have been the familiarity of it all as well. From afar, the amalgamation of images of being Pinoy [Filipino] (the jeepney, the Filipino child, a person sweeping, people smiling into camera phones) couldn’t help but be heartwarming. But it was almost a warning: The concern for identity, after all, is an overdone concern of the arts, and as such it does quite often become cliché.

As some of the works on exhibit are falling into the trap of using overdone stereotypes of the Filipino: the Pinoy as unique in the ability to smile in the midst of pain (“Galos Lang,” by Jeff Carnay) and oppression due to unjust laws (“Juan Line,” by Dansoy Coquilla); to walk to the beat of our own drum (“Hataw sa Traffic Light,” by Marcial Pontillas); and to rise above adversity, given our heroic history (“Like Our Heroes, We Will Rise,” by Anthony Palo).

The realism that the first three work with doesn’t leave much for interpretation—a function as well of its being cliché—while the latter is, strangely enough, a representation of people flying with and on a hot-air balloon, an image that connotes social class mobility. Is this to say who can become hero?

Many others, while dealing with realistic images of poverty, corruption and oppression, end up talking about universal notions of environmentalism (“Juanderful World?” by Anna de Leon); unity (“Maybe We Are the Pieces,” by Jay Pacena II); personal struggle (“Sari-sari Storm” by Maan de Loyola); determination (“The Rise of Juan Tamad,” by Lotsu Manes); and hope (“The Traveller,” by Palma Tayona). Understandably, it is these pieces as well that have more to say on the canvas.

Oppressive information

Pacena’s piece in particular screams against the oppression of information, with a blindfolded image up-close, mouth filled with three-dimensional puzzle pieces. With eyes unseen and face half-covered, this is a statement on every Juan and Juana: You are being defined by too much, even as you remain unknown.

The clichés notwithstanding, a lot of thinking obviously went into many of the artworks. This is particularly true for the more politically charged ones, those that speak of the true conditions of the nation, and deal with it head-on.

There is the truth of poverty and how it understandably sacrifices hope (“Juan Luma,” by Migs Villanueva); the contemporary Filipinization of what is foreign and how this hybrid identity is problematic in its abstraction (“Hybrid Nation,” by Jucar Raquepo); the static state of the nation as potential never fulfilled (“Penoy,” by Manny Garibay).

But it is the flair for the revolutionary that is striking about this exhibit. “Biyahe ni Juan,” by Omi Reyes, “Aklas… Baklas… Lakas… Bukas!” by Marika Constantino, “Panata,” by Salvador Ching and “Pinoy Big Brother,” by Buen Abrigo are priceless not just in their imageries but also in their call to action.

Reyes’ close-up image of a jeep seems cliché, but its movement challenges the audience to an engagement: Where are you going, and why? This is true as well for Ching’s use of a Filipino everyman doing the Catholic devotees’ sacrifice of self-flagellation. This man, though, is facing a bright red moon, his bare back bloodied—the Juan is himself the sacrifice, as he is the one facing the possibility of revolt with the red, red moon.

And while the image of two arms clasping each other in Constantino’s work could seem cliché as well, its flowing red background connotes the rage and revolt that seem all possible.

Need for change

But it may be Abrigo who creates the image of contemporary times as transnational neocolonial: An unstable building and tower is filled with everything commercial that permeates our everyday lives. Figures beneath these structures are of a masked GMA/Imelda, a two-faced man in shadows, and a zombie-like creature with laser eyes.
All of these are contextualized in the dark neglected buildings in the background—a telling sign of how the capitalist enterprise silences the nation. The eeriness reeks of injustice and murder, and this is precisely what works for “Pinoy Big Brother.” It highlights the need for change, the need to end the oppression that capital brings.

If only for Abrigo’s as well as Reyes’ and Ching’s works, and in the context of the highly debatable concepts of nation and identity, “Looking For Juan” is a must-see. It is on view at the CCP until June 7, after which it moves to Alab Art Space of the Intellectual Property Office, IPO Bldg., Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City, on June 8. Visit www.canvas.ph.

From top to bottom: "Panata" by Salvador Ching; "Biyahe ni Juan" by Omi Reyes; and "Pinoy Big Brother" by Buen Abrigo.

Day 23 - On Track in the Last Five days!!!

We're almost there!

Things are looking and going great... we have every reason to believe that we will make it... but we can't let our guard down. The weather has been cooperating lately, but there's no guarantee that the coming days will be just as great.

We've started to remove arc's wood supports, and the area for the pearl is nearly ready.

Remember that the pearl represents the Park as a gift of the Philippines to the greater Pacific Rim community.

Now it's also time to work on the flooring.


Finally, the arc is done. It supposed to represent the wings of a white bird poised for flight, symbolizing the potential of the Park to help raise Puerto Princesa to even greater heights.


But there's still a lot of small details and finishing touches to add.


And we also started setting up the bamboo frames from which CANVAS' Outdoor Banner Project will hang.

We're on schedule, if not ahead. Still, we can't rest just yet.

But, everything's good (knock on wood). :-)


Hope you all can come and celebrate with us in five days!

Only in the Philippines

*** Photo credits: Ninoy Leyran

Day 22 - No Rest for the Weary

Sunday is supposed to be beach day - a time to rest, a small reward for six days of hard work. But we're running short on time, and the prediction for the weather this coming week isn't too great, so... it's back to the site today.


The bamboo imprinted columns are enhanced sea shells found near the site.

The walkway that leads to the sea (or more precisely, the walkway from the sea leading up to the Park) is almost done.

The area where the pearl will be set has taken shape as well.


And of course, there's still work to be done on the arc, but the end is in sight.



All in all, considering we had to give up a day at the beach, it was a great day.

Day 21 - The Last Seven Days!!!

It's getting really close to crunch time. Below, we're working hard to finish the arc.


And this is how the bamboo-imprinted columns turned out.

Whenever they could, James and Kyle take some time to keep tabs on the progress of the park.

The bench mosaics, when done, will help give the whole park an artsy character.


Only seven days left, and there still are countless buckets of sand and gravel and soil and cement to get through before all the work is done.

Members of the Rotary Club of Puerto Prinsesa once again offered their help.

Some of us miss our mommies!

Some of us are simply praying for strength and luck and continued perseverance as we rush to complete the park in this last week.


And all of us just know that we are all up to the task... that we will remain focused, that we will continue to act as a team... knowing that, in the end, all this effort and sweat and pain will definitely be worth it!

Day 20 - 8 days to go

Today, sunny weather means there's more time to work on the arc, the columns and the benches. The mixing and pouring of cement is also easier. So everyone is in a good mood.

Jim and Kyle remind everyone that the construction site is getting more dangerous and they had better be extra careful. Safety is a must.

Below, Jim supervises the students as they create mosaics on the newly created benches.

A few days left and everybody is looking forward to the big launch!

Day 19 - Countdown: 9 days to go

The site continues to take shape amidst the constantly unpredictable challenge of the weather.

The goal today is to finish positioning the reinforcement bars to make the arc, and a LOT! of wiring is needed.

Elsewhere, others work on some of the columns.

Bamboo is being used to create imprints... one of the many small touches that will give the park a Filipino character.

And of course, work continues on other aspects of the park. Below, Jim works with some of the students on the area where the pearl will set.


A lot of things to work on and keep track of... and we're hoping nothing falls through the cracks. The trick is just to do each small task, one at a time...


... all the while keeping our eyes on the prize, and remembering not to take things too seriously...

At the end of the day, James Hubell takes a moment to contemplate the work that has been accomplished so far, and the challenges that remain, now that we're getting close to the homestretch.

Day 18 - Michael Meo shares his thoughts...

A student's thoughts, as he helps to build a Pacific Rim Friendship Park in the Philippines:

Construction does not have to be the end of a design process. It can be instead the expansion of the design medium from word, drawing, and model to earth, steel, and cement.

We have not moved from “design to build”, or to “build from design.” Rather, we have started on the next phase of the design process.

In this phase, we give the land a new voice. It speaks to us in ways that it could not have spoken to us in our pen and paper explorations. Our ideas and plans have been pressed into the land and our experience of that that union of earth and idea then begins to pull, twist, and inspire a new growth of our original plans.

Those minute transformations, many of which cannot be felt in graphite or ink, are what help to ground and propel the park we are building. The very language of the term “design build” seems very appropriate for what we have all been experiencing.

No precedence is given to either process. Nor is there a division of the two words.

***Michael Meo is pursuing a self-designed degree that combines architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning with a focus on social and environmental suistainability and the socialization of public spaces at Hampshire College in Massachusetts.

Day 18 - Only Ten Days to Go!!!

Ahhh. The day starts with a gorgeous morning, and the view is simply fantastic.

James reminds everyone that teamwork and cooperation is increasingly critical, so they have to feel the rhythm of each individual so that the entire group works in the same direction.

They have installed the scaffolding bars that will help build the arc for the park.


They also started doing the stoneworks for the columns.


Local kids who live nearby helped by collecting stones and pebbles.

And the reinforcement bars needed to build and position the arc is finally taking shape.

We are counting down the days! :)

Day 17 - It's Raining, Meyn!!!

The day started with heavy rainfall which created problems for the team. For one, getting the cement mixed just right was now more difficult, and required more time before they could pour it into the designated areas.

Indoors (in the abandoned weather observation station just beside the site), some students prepared drawings and sketches to show to the engineers who will later visit and help out at the site.

Outside, it's more work and effort coping with what the day has dealt.

They even put shelters for them to finish the stoneworks for what would eventually be the benches for the park.

The engineers of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers - Palawan Chapter had a talk with Kyle about the design and build of the site, and to learn how they can best be of help.

Safety considerations required that the cutting of reinforcement bars be done indoors today, as continuing rains and electrical cables do not make for a safe and healthy work environment. :-)

Clearly, this was not an ideal day... let's all hope that the days that follow, all the way to the fast approaching launch date, are much better.

Day16 - Cultural Presentation

After dinner the participants were asked to prepare presentations that would express their respective identities, in the context of bridging cultures and fostering friendships.

Participants from China sang a modern pop song entitled "Love."

Participants from Russia prepared a short play of a popular bedtime story for children about a turnip.

Participants from America gave us a journey of USA through sounds by asking us to close our eyes, and to open our ears, heart and mind.

Participants from South Korea presented a video about a famous folk song entitled "Arirang" which literally translates as "beautiful dear."

And finally, the Filipinos presented a Tinikling dance, and a slideshow of photos while singing "Kaleidoscope World" by Francis M.

In Case You Missed It...

The Philippine Daily Inquirer published a feature on our ongoing projects yesterday. Walter Ang, the writer of the article, was kind enough to furnish us with a copy of the article that he submitted.

As sometimes happens in the newspaper business, his submission was edited and shortened, mainly to save on space, at the unfortunate expense of some key paragraphs (including most importantly, the names of all the artists participating in our ongoing CCP exhibit).

We are therefore reprinting his entire article below.


Looking for Juan
By Walter Ang
Contributor

"What Does It Mean to Be Filipino?" is a question contemplated by Gigo Alampay, executive director of the Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development (CANVAS).

Having lived abroad for a number of years, he said, “Without judgment, Americans find it easy to say who they are. Here in our country, it’s sometimes easier to answer ‘What is a Batangueño, or what is an Ilocano?’ than it is to answer ‘What is a Filipino?’ There may be some stereotypes for regional identities, but at least there are characteristic identifiers. However, as a nation, sometimes it’s not easy to figure out who we are.”

He added, “There’s a notion that our lack of national identity may be one of the reasons why some people feel the Philippines has not really lived up to its full potential.”

CANVAS’ latest endeavor is the “Looking for Juan Outdoor Banner Project,” an exhibition of artworks by some of the best contemporary Filipino artists who attempt to provide visual answers to the discussion.

Public engagement

“The project aims to collect at least a hundred artworks that will be reproduced as tarpaulin banners that will then be displayed in two highly accessible and pedestrian-friendly venues,” said Alampay.

“The Looking for Juan Outdoor Banner Project will showcase some of the country's best creative talents. Artists, graphic designers and photographers have been asked to express their idea of the Filipino identity,” he said. “The project is designed to engage visitors with its art-driven messaging about the Filipino identity. It will be a new kind of experience that allows visitors to view and appreciate great art as well as explore important social themes in a non-intimidating, relaxed, and creative environment.”

The first forty to fifty original works that will be reproduced as banners were launched at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The artworks will be on display until June 7. This original artwork exhibit will transfer to the Alab Art Space gallery (Intellectual Property Philippines Building along Buendia St., Makati) on June 8.

Meanwhile, the first outdoor banner exhibit will be at the end of May at the new Philippine Pacific Rim Friendship Park in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. The second will be in June at the University of the Philippines' Academic Oval in Diliman. “Just in time for opening of classes and Independence Day,” he added.

Park for all

CANVAS has been actively involved with The Pacific Rim Project to build a Friendship Park in Puerto Princesa. Architecture and art students from different countries like China, South Korea, the United States, Russia, and Mexico were flown in earlier this month to interact with counterpart Filipino students. These volunteers will design, present to the city government, and actually build the whole park under the artistic supervision of leading artists, architects and urban planners in just 30 days.

After the park is completed, it is given as a gift to the citizens of the Pacific and to the host city. All parks are for the public and are directly connected to the Pacific Ocean. The park will then become part of a network of Friendship Parks ringing the Pacific. There are already four parks in US, Russia, China and Mexico.

To date, participants in the Looking For Juan Outdoor Banner Exhibit include Buen Abrigo, Leonard Aguinaldo, Daniel Aligaen, Reynaldo Amido, Mark Arcamo, Moralde Arrogante, Anton Balao, Jeho Bitangcor, Plet Bolipata, Elmer Borlongan, Malyn Bonayog, Serj Bumatay, Michael Cacnio, Buen Calubayan, Jeff Carnay, Salvador Ching, Marika Constantino, Salvador Convocar, Dansoy Coquilla, Geronimo Cristobal, Jigger Cruz, Don Dalmacio, Kawayan de Guia, Anna de Leon, Crisanto de Leon, Maan de Loyola, Farley del Rosario, Robert Deniega, Anthony Fermin, Tina Fernandez, Karen Flores, Liza Flores, Emmanuel Garibay, Juan Sajid Imao, Agang Maganda, Lotsu Manes, Josue Mangrobang, Roel Obemio, Wilfredo Offemaria, Jr., Marcial Pontillas, Anthony Palo, Anthony Palomo, Jay Pacena II, Jucar Raquepo, Omi Reyes, Iggy Rodriguez, Tres Roman, Kirby Roxas, Mark Salvatus, Julius Samson, Andoi Solon, Aner Sebastian, Angelo Tabije, CJ Tanedo, Rex Tatlonghari, Palma Tayona, Jomike Tejido, Juanito Torres, Ian Valladarez, Wesley Vallenzuela, Migs Villanueva and Liv Vinluan.

Selected students from the UP College of Fine Arts, members of Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan, various creative writers, as well as a number of graphic design and advertising studios are also involved.

After the end of the outdoor banner exhibits, the banners will be recycled by two women's communities in Antipolo and Laguna into tote bags and sold as original works of functional art. Proceeds from the sale of the tote bags will support Padyak, a U.P. Mountaineers-led movement to promote environmentalism and cycling as a healthy lifestyle.

For details, visit www.lookingforjuan.com or www.canvas.ph.

STRANGE AS ANGELS

We realize that CANVAS owns 1/of Gallery, so this post may seem a bit self-serving. But trust us, this is one show that's unique and breathtaking and mysterious and, simply is a visual spectacle. It's still ongoing... you don't have to buy anything... just don't miss it!

Brian Uhing’s “Strange as Angels” is on view at 1/of Gallery in Serendra. ‘Bruihn’ (his other monicker) is based both in Antipolo and Sagada as he also maintains a studio in the latter. The Fil-Am artist of German descent features a magically hypnotic collection of sculptural marionettes that embody a mix of cross-cultural beliefs and imagery.

Adding to the riveting and peculiar majesty of such ‘angels’ as Barzo, the angel of creative inspiration, Marespand, the angel for spells and incantations, and Arda Fravash, the guardian spirit and angel for human souls, each marionette comes with its own 6-foot pedestal of wrought iron and logs that used to serve as train tracks.

The gallery is located at 2/L Shops at Serendra, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Call 901-3152 or email 1ofgallery.serendra@gmail.com for details.

NOTE: Originally slated May 1 to 18, "Strange as Angels" has been extended until May 24, 2009.

Day 16 - Start of Week 3

It's the start of another WORK week and heavy rain makes everything an even greater challenge today.

But they are ready to get wet just to make sure that they'll be able to accomplish the tasks needed such as:

1. mixing and forming of the cement
2. pulling and stripping of the wooden forms facing the concrete
3. getting the benches done by finishing the stoneworks
4. finishing the steel works by positioning the reinforcement bars

To make matters more difficult, the cement mixer broke down this afternooon. Work has to continue and there is no time to wait for it to get fixed so now mixing the cement has to be done by hand.

Meanwhile, they also started digging the slope for the walkway toward the sea.

Wet, tired but still very happy and up for the task!

Much needed help - the mobile workshop truck service of Puerto Princesa came to the rescue...


... and got the cement mixer working again!


It was a day of unexpected ups and downs, and things continue to move forward. It's starting to take shape...

Day15 - Dos Palmas!

After a week of hard work, the group got a well-deserved break for the day at Dos Palmas ("The Incident" - as locals call it here - fortunately did not mar its pristine beauty).

Dos Palmas is located among a group of islands and sandbars in Honda Bay, northeast of Puerto Princesa. They had a 45 minute boat ride from Sta. Lourdes Wharf to the resort.

The participants step on their private island paradise.

They enjoy the perks of the day tour by snorkeling, kayaking, playing volleyball and an eat-all-you-can buffet lunch.

The afternoon rains did not dampen the fun.

Batteries recharged at the end of the day, everyone's ready to rush back to the building of the park.

We all can't wait!

Meanwhile... back in Manila

Even as we keep tabs on the progress of the park in Palawan, we want to remind you all that there's still time to catch our Looking for Juan Exhibit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

See - in images, and in their own words - what some of our best young artists think when asked "What Does It Mean to be Filipino?"

Over fifty original, thought-provoking pieces grace three floors of the CCP (The second and third floor hallways, as well as the Little Theater lobby).

There's a lot to view and ponder... take our word for it, it's well worth the trip.

The show runs until June 7, 2009. Admission is free.

Day14 - One Week Into the Building Phase!

The aggressive schedule continues to up the pressure.

Fortunately, the weather cooperated very well today, increasing the chances that we will be able to finish and position all the reinforcement bars and the form of the whole site.

It's finally time to use the cement mixer.! :-)

Pouring of cement is not an easy task!!!

Teamwork and cooperation, as always, is critical.

Members of the Rotary Club of City of Puerto Princesa dropped by for the day to have a look of the site, and to take part in the building of the park.

The girls from Russia strike their version of a Charlie's Angels pose.

The pouring of cement continued into the afternoon.

A very productive day... a very productive week...

Everyone has earned a well deserved rest tomorrow - we hear they're going to Dos Palmas for the day to recharge.

They'll need it... only two weeks left to the big launch!!! Wooohoooo!

Day13 - More of the Same...

It's another day of work, made harder because the afternoon rains yesterday made the site damp and mucky.

There are still a lot of areas to level and critical points to consider.

In some cases, two hands are needed to complete a single task.

Heart shaped --gravel???--

The inner circle of the site needs to be in its proper shape and form.

More materials for the completion of the construction kept coming.

Mucky land makes for some happy shoes. :-)

Tired but very happy for the day's accomplishment.

Juana Change

This is giving us some ideas for a future project... :-)



Plus: here's something to think about: Why the Filipino is Special.

Day12 - The Hard Work Continues.....

Another BIG day for everyone as the construction work gets harder and harder. But before braving the heat of the sun get to it, the participants first had to stretch their (aching?) muscles.


Stretching done, it's time to get physical!

It's time to dig, lift and sweat!


Today, they have to finish digging the holes for the columns, and finish the footings and trenches.

They also have to position the reinforcement bars into their designated spots.

Shovels and buckets are their main companions.

Locals who are came to watch eventually offered to help in the construction of the park.

The digging marathon continued well into the afternoon.


Then it was time to bend (manually!) the reinforcement bars.

It's all hard, slow, tedious, sometimes painful work.


But inch by back-breaking inch...


We are getting there!

Day11 - Learning to Dig Digging

It's the second day of the construction phase of the park and everyone got a pair of gloves to be able to work safely.

The main task is to level the land by hand. And that means a lot of lifting, and digging under the sun.

Critical points have to be measured and properly labeled.

Above, James and Kyle try to make sure that the area was accurately being leveled.

Tired students still having some fun.

More materials came in, so there was more heavy lifting to be done.

Teamwork and cooperation help get things done.

There's still so much to be done in so little time. Tomorrow promises to be another digging marathon for everyone.

Day10 - And Now for the Hard Part!

The design now approved, we will have to build the park in just a little over two weeks!!!

One of the first things to do is to clear up more space in the abandoned building just beside the site, where they did most of their drawing classes. It's not raining for now, but if and when it does, the work cannot stop, and building some parts of the park may have to be done in here.

But most of the grunt work will really have to be done outside under the heat of the sun. And again, the first step outside is to clear the space where the park will rise.

Meanwhile, building materials and heavy equipment have started to come in. This is serious stuff!

The spectacular view of the sea helps ease the inevitable tiredness that sets in.

But the weather is (at least for today) totally cooperating.

The City of Puerto Princesa also made sure that first aid and medical assistance was there, just in case.


If we build it, will they come??? We'll find out soon enough! Stay tuned... :-)

Day09 - APPROVED!!!

It's a very special day for everyone. Mayor Hagedorn gave his thumbs up this morning to the design of the park. The creativity and hard work of the participants paid off!

Below, drawings and the model design were presented to Mayor Hagedorn and other city officials.

Then the participants had some time off after breakfast to explore Puerto Prinsesa some more.

Happy students with uniform shirts designed by CANVAS at the request of the City of Puerto Princesa.

In the afternoon, city engineers paid a visit to have a look of the approved design and to give them advice on two key things:

1. the condition of the soil
2. factors to consider as they build the foundation and structure of the design.

Kyle in turn talked about what the whole construction process would look like, all the better to help everyone to understand what needs to be done, and what to expect in the next couple of weeks.

Here are some of the site development and master plan drawings and sketches:

The following set of drawings were done by James Hubbell:

NOW, the hard work really begins!!!

Day08 - And, the Design Finally Comes Together...

Jim Hubbell and Kyle Bergman, the driving forces behind the Pacific Rim Parks, spent the whole day creating a final design and model that incorporates all the ideas that percolated around in the past few days.

The students were allowed to take the day off (much deserved after all the hard work they have been doing!), and in the evening, Jim and Kyle presented what they came up with to them all.


To push through with the design, Jim and Kyle needed two approvals - one from the students themselves, and the second from the City, represented by Mayor Hagedorn.

Above is the rough clay model for the Philippine Pacific Rim Friendship Park.

For reference, this is what the other parks look like:


So imagine if you will - the Philippine park will be mostly white. The design is a representation of a white bird with its wings poised for flight, symbolizing the potential of the Park to help raise Puerto Princesa to even greater heights.

It brings with it a sparkling black-blue pearl (which should set off gorgeously against the white park) representing the Park as a gift of the Philippines to the greater Pacific Rim community.

The whole park will be lined with pink cherry blossom trees, which are endemic to Palawan; and the entrance to the Park will feature pink bouganvillas.

There will be other trees, plants, and benches throughout, and the whole Park will be facing the sea.

Very very serene... quiet and beautiful... Filipino yet global...

Needless to say, the whole group excitedly endorsed the final design.

They now had to spend the night to prepare for the final presentation of the design to the Mayor, including drawings for:

1. the master site plan
2. perspectives
3. landscapes
4. sketch details of the pearl area (shape and form), and
5. various sections of the park

If all goes well, Mayor Hagedorn will approve the design tomorrow, and it will finally be time to actually begin building our Park!

Very very exciting! Wooohooooo! :-)

Day07 - Model Making

From two-dimensional design to 3D - today's challenge was for the students (divided into new groups) to use clay to create models of the park.

Above, James begins dividing the clay among the groups. As a design tool, he said, clay provides a physical way to communicate with each other. More importantly, it poses no language barrier, as the students can simply express themselves by molding.

They should think about three questions as they confront their task:

1. What is this project about to them as designers?
2. What is this project about to the community of Puerto Prinsesa?
3. What is this project about to everyone else living across the Pacific?

As always, the students are all excited, and this time they are ready to get dirty.

How serious are they? We'll let the pictures speak for themselves:

In the artistic hands of the designers, the models start to take shape.

During their break, some of the students found a unique kind of flower growing around the vicinity of the site. A new source of inspiration, perhaps?

Monsoon rains did not delay the design process as the groups continued with their presentations.

Everyday, the exercises generate lots of ideas, and reveal new levels of talent and creativity.

Today was not any different. The students continued to impress both James and Kyle with their talent, hard work and impressive designs.

What's clear at this point is that both the concept of the Park - and they themselves as designers - are evolving, and inching ever closer to something very special.

Day06 - The Design Process Continues

Sunny weather for a change!

Kyle Bergman starts the day with poetry.

Some Questions You Might Ask
by Mary Oliver

Is the soul solid, like iron?
Or is it tender and breakable, like
the wings of a moth in the beak of an owl?
Who has it, and who doesn't?
I keep looking around me.
The face of the moose is as sad
as the face of Jesus.
The swan opens her white wings slowly.
In the fall, the black bear carries leaves into the darkness.
One question leads to another.
Does it have a shape? Like an iceberg?
Like the eye of a hummingbird?
Does it have one lung, like the snake and the scallop?
Why should I have it, and not the anteater
who loves her children?
Why should I have it, and not the camel?
Come to think of it, what about maple trees?
What about the blue iris?
What about all the little stones, sitting alone in the moonlight?
What about roses, and lemons, and their shining leaves?
What about the grass?

Then it was quickly time for the groups to finalize and present their respective designs.

Below, James tells everyone that "stealing" ideas from one another is fine. It's a way of being smart because ultimately they would have to function as one, and put everything altogether. The objective of the process is to create a design that's headed in one direction.


Here are some of the initial design ideas from two of the groups:

Remember, the objective is not to pick the best group design, but to come up with something that incorporates everyone's input.

So after the presentations from the small teams, they were then organized into a much larger group, and then again asked to take time to reflect on the ideas they had heard and draw further inspiration from the site.

The process slowly yields even more design ideas.

They then talked about the project's limitations. What materials would they use? They would have to stick to the things usually seen or easily found in Puerto Prinsesa.

The students from the University of the Philippines - College of Architecture went to a local nursery to look for plants that could be used for the park.

Finally, it was time to head back home.


It was a long, productive, fun, creative and learning-filled day. :-)

How to Sing the National Anthem

Comes now a new controversy over Martin Nievera's singing of the National Anthem at the Pacquiao fight.



Of course, there's an obscure law that mandates the singing a certain way - but don't we have more important things to worry about? Do we really need to get our already overburdened courts involved in something as trivial as this?

Amando Doronila says it's a reflection of the "people’s ultrasensitivity to nationalistic issues." The "anthem is march music borne out of a revolutionary struggle," he says, and "singers who fail to capture this rhythm are isolated and are out of step with history."

It's interesting how some people (only a few like Mr. Doronila) can get worked up over something like this. Is it crab mentality? Is it ka-OA-yan? Or is it really a called-for defense of nationalism and patriotism.

If you ask us, we think it's really much ado over not so much.

You can like Martin Nievera's version or you may hate it. But that's that. In the end, Pacquiao won, everyone was happy and nothing about the singing of the National Anthem did anything to increase or decrease the value of the victory.

At the most, we would agree with Ambeth Ocampo who was the first to criticize Nievera's version (perfectly within his right and qualifications as Chair of the National Historical Institute), and who says that the "Nievera episode is also a way for us to reflect on both flag and anthem, to rethink the law and seek revisions or amendments if necessary."

Now that's a level-headed response. Let's keep it at that and move on.

Mayweather awaits!

All Ready for the CCP Show!

Even as our Pacific Rim Park Project kicks into gear, we were also busy today setting up for our first big group exhibition.



We're showcasing some sixty original artworks, from various Pinoy artists, all about their respective takes on What It Means to Be Filipino. Most of them are the original pieces that will be used for our Outdoor Banner Exhibits in Palawan (which opens there when the newly built park is finally dedicated) and in UP's Academic Oval.

Come and check them out!

We open with cocktails at 630pm on May 12 (this coming Tuesday) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Admission is free.

See you there!

Day05 - Drawing Exercises

The students visited the site again, and continued with the effort to gain a more complete understanding of the project. Drawing assignments were given to help them visualize their concepts and designs.

They were encouraged to take a fresh look of the site, to try to really "see" the many things around, and to wait for them to "talk to them."

The "seeing" and "listening" exercise was followed by group sharing of discoveries and sketches.

They were then given a second drawing exercise.

This time, the participants were asked to think, not as an architect, but as either a musician or poet. They were told to look for forms and to feel the rhythm, to think of music and words, to let their imagination talk to them. They were cautioned against limiting their drawings to styles and rules that they learned as architects, and instead, to allow their creativity to expand and reach a broader range.

Sketch by Long Fei Wang of China.

For the last assignment, they were divided in groups, and required to come up with a group design for the Park, which they will all present to the rest of the participants tomorrow.


The day was capped by a welcome dinner hosted by Puerto Princesa City's Mayor Hagedorn.

Day04 - Exploring Palawan

The participants again woke up early to explore one of the most visited places in Palawan - the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. (It is currently running first in the Official New7Wonders of Nature campaign. Vote to keep it in first place!)

This day trip is not only a must-see tour, but as part of the design process, it will help the participants to learn more about Palawan, its geographical location, history and culture.

Participants showed their excitement before taking the 10-minute boat ride to the Underground River. For a change, the weather cooperated and gave us a day that was nice and very sunny.


Before taking lunch, the students were given the chance to take a long walk on the beach and a quick swim to sample the warm waters of the Pacific.

Filipino architecture students with Mr. James Hubell, the leader of this project who, together with co-leader Kyle Bergman, keeps the participants inspired. He speaks with a soft voice, but his words and insights are freely and generously shared to help them reach their full potential as designers.

After lunch, Jovinee Sagun of the city planning office of Puerto Prinsesa gave a short pep talk about the City's ideas in this whole project. She told us of Puerto Princesa's vision to create an environmental preserve particularly in the site where the Park is going to rise, and how the Park will boost the development potential in Puerto Prinsesa.

From the Underground River, the participants returned to the city and spent the afternoon at the Palawan Museum. Just like when they toured Intramuros, the students were asked to look around and sketch anything in the Museum that interested them.

The hope is that the exercise of looking for more shapes and patterns, and committing them to paper would help boost their creativity as the design process continues over the next few days.

Day03 - First Day in Palawan

The participants woke up before the crack of dawn to catch the first flight to Puerto Princesa City.

After quickly checking in at the Bahay Inato where the City had booked them for the duration of the project, they got their first look at the site where the Park will eventually rise.

They had to walk the last 200 meters or so - intermittent rains made it risky for the bus to bring them directly to the site. The City assured us that the road will be fixed up a bit in the next few days.


The spectacular approach to the sea had everyone pumped!

And for the rest of the afternoon, the participants were allowed to simply explore and sketch, again looking for patterns, shapes and inspiration.


Above is Jim Hubbell, the artist-sculptor who is the heart of this Project. He talked briefly about how, in this very first days of the adventure, no one - not even him - knew what the design will turn out to be. As the students explore, they are really trying to find the soul of the project, by learning more and trying to understand as much about the land as they could.


As afternoon rains started to pour outside, the students took shelter in a nearby abandoned building where they shared initial thoughts and ideas.

It's very exciting. Think about it - what will a park look like after it's designed and built, in only four weeks, by a group of young people from different countries and cultures who have only just met?

We're hoping they'll all have the time of their lives, and that Puerto Princesa City (and the rest of the country) will end up with a fitting and long-lasting symbol of peace, environmentalism and friendship.

Day02 - Exploring Manila

The students who are part of the Pacific Rim Project had a tour around Manila as their orientation to the Philippines and the Filipino culture.

The idea was to give them a sense of the patterns, icons, history, colors and other elements that make the Philippines what it is, and hopefully incorporate these in their ideas for the design of the Pacific Rim Friendship Park in the Philippines.

First stop was at the Chinese Cemetery, the second oldest cemetery in Manila and was the resting place of Chinese citizens who were denied burial in Catholic cemeteries during the Spanish period.

Then they visited La Loma, the lechon capital in the country where they saw a lot of roasted pigs diplayed on the streets.


Then a walk to the famous Chinatown in Binondo, Manila.

The last stop was at Intramuros where they spent the rest of the afternoon sketching


and enjoying the view - and smell? :-) - of the Pasig River.

Day01 - Welcome to the Philippines!

It’s the official Day one of the Pacific Rim Project. A group meeting was held as initial class orientation and meeting of all the participants.

James and Kyle gave an introduction of the whole design process and the understanding of the whole project.

Participants are given the chance to interact and socialize.

The day ended with a dinner and more socials.

The Early Birds (part 2)

While waiting for other students to arrive some already had a quick glimpse of Manila.

in Baywalk

counting money for the Jeepney Ride

buying clothes in Ukay Ukay

eating mangoes on the street.

It's a Good Day

No traffic! No crime! No crisis!

It's a good day to be Pinoy!

And a great day to start our Pacific Rim Park Project!!! Wooohoooo!

The Early Birds

Korean delegates for the building of the Pacific Rim Friendship Park arrived today.


Day 1 officially starts tomorrow when the rest of the participants all get here, together with James Hubbell and Kyle Bergman, the two US-based architects who started the Pacific Rim Parks.

We're all very excited!

Revisiting a Philippine Best Practice

You probably all still remember the Thriller video that came out of the Cebu Detention and Rehabilitation Center two years ago. Here the latest video from them.



We should point out that this effort or initiative or call-it-what-you-want from the local prison officials is not just plain fun or laughs at the expense of the inmates. It actually can serve as a best practice model for other countries to adapt or follow.

Check out this follow-up piece from Al Jazeera shortly after the Thriller video hit the internet.



And here's the transcript of a similar piece that CNN did (we couldn't find a working video link).

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HUGH RIMINTON, CNN INTL. CORRESPONDENT (voice over): It is not yet 7:00 a.m., beating the full blast of the tropical heat, the inmates of this Philippine prison are already an hour into rehearsals. It will occupy them up to five hours a day.

They're hard work under the eye of prison overseer Byron Garcia has spawned one of the unlikeliest hits on the Internet. a reworking of Michael Jackson's "Thriller."

Videoed by the prison boss, it has drawn 6 million hits on YouTube. And Cebu Detention and Rehabilitation Center, every able- bodied inmate must dance.

(On camera): Just in case you get the wrong idea, these prisoners are in here because they are the toughest criminals in all the central Philippines; 70 percent of them are rated high-risk inmates, and that means, most of them are rapists or murderers.

(Voice over): Many, however, could be innocent, still waiting for their cases to come to trial. The prison overseer rejects claims he's abusing the prisoners' rights by forcing them to dance so many hours a day.

BYRON GARCIA, CEBU PRISON OVERSEER: We don't have dumbbells here. We don't have weights. We have dancing. But, still, it does not affect how they feel about themselves. They are still men, although they dance.

RIMINTON: He's convinced he has a lesson for prison authorities everywhere, the way to crack the plague of violent prison gangs.

GARCIA: Guns, gun culture, impedes rehabilitation.

RIMINTON: And 1,600 inmates crowd this jail up to 16 men a cell. When Garcia took over three years ago, gangs and corrupt guards ruled this jail. Serious violence broke out at least once a week. Garcia sacked most of the guards and ordered the prisoners first to march, and then to dance.

His aim was to break gang allegiances, forcing inmates to work as a single unit with a single goal. He says there's not been a single act of violence in more than a year. Now, not guards, but fellow prisoners, guide the rehearsals, led by an accused mass murder.

Leo Sweiko (ph) tells me the dancing has taught him love.

Back in the cell, she shares with 11 other transsexual prisoners, Wenjiell Resane, who has waited for years on charges on drug charges, is enjoying her taste of stardom.

WENJIELL RESANE, PRISONER (through translator): It never leaves my mind that I'm a prisoner, but I'm very happy and proud of what I have done.

RIMINTON: Her co-star, a one-time professional dancer, agrees.

CRISANTO NIERE, PRISONER (through translator): Before life in the jail was very different. It was so bad. The atmosphere has changed. We're being treated as humans. RIMINTON: He has waited so long for trial on crack dealing charges he says his seven-year old son has only ever known him as a prison inmate.

NIERE: Before my son was ashamed of me. But now he tells all his school mates his dad is a dancer on YouTube. I'm proud my son is proud of me, even though I'm still a prisoner.

RIMINTON: It's rehabilitation one step at a time. Hugh Riminton, CNN, Cebu, The Philippines.

(END VIDEOTAPE)


And here's an article from The Asian Journal that's probably the best of the lot. You can get the pdf here.

The question though is whether this success can really be replicated in other countries? The ideas and program seem simple enough to implement, but can they get non-Filipino inmates to cooperate? Because that is a crucial ingredient - and one which may be present only in the make-up and genes of that culturally unique and hard-to-define animal we call Pinoy.