MEMPHIS FEST KICKS OFF FEATURING PHILIPPINES

The Philippines is putting its best foot forward at the International Festival in Memphis, Tennessee – only the 2nd time that the Philippines has been featured as a nation in a major US festival (the last one happened in the 1980s). The Philippine extravaganza actually kicked off today as Filipino architect Augusto Villalon addressed the Architects of the World series at the University Club in Memphis. A distinguished architect and expert in heritage conservation, Villalon most recently served as the Philippine representative to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris, France among other distinguished posts. Philippine Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia is also scheduled to address the International Business Council luncheon at the Hilton Hotel on May 5. His talk is part of a seminar on “Doing Business in the Philippines.” Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) President and CEO Aurelio Montinola III will speak at the Economic Club of Memphis on May 9 at the Clark Tower. The reception and dinner is by reservation. Montinola is also president of the Bankers Association of the Philippines. The Philippine Embassy listed the exhibits:

“Revolution Revisited” at the National Civil Rights Museum. A photography exhibit by Kim Komenich that captures the historic “people power” revolt in the Philippines and brought an end to the regime of President Ferdinand E. Marcos, sweeping Corazon C. Aquino into power. During the period leading to the People Power Revolution, Komenich was a photographer for the San Francisco Examiner and this assignment garnered him the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Photography. “The Corregidor Island Story” at the Mississippi River Museum at Mud Island. This historical and informative exhibit will outline the importance the island played during World War II. The exhibit will include artifacts from life on the island during the key time periods and influential battles. Here, you will be able to explore the history of Corregidor, Malinta Tunnel, Gen. Douglas MacArthur and the remarkable determination of Filipino and American soldiers. “Floating Warps and Guiding Heddles” at the Brooks Museum of Art. An exhibition of Philippine textiles from the Museo Ilocos Norte will offer a rare opportunity to see these fragile weavings. Long famous for their fine cotton textiles, particularly their damasks made with the floating warp technique or those woven with multiple heddles, they are remarkable for their rich coloring and bold designs and are an important part of Philippine cultural heritage.

“An Untold Triumph” at the Blount Auditorium (Buckman Hall), Rhodes College. In this documentary, Director Noel M. Izon captures the stories of Filipino Americans who volunteered their services to the U.S. Army and helped liberate their homeland from Japanese occupation during World War II, through the voices of the veterans themselves...and delivers touching personal accounts of the men's contributions and sacrifices during the war. The film won Best Documentary at its world premiere at the Hawaii International Film Festival and has aired on PBS. A brief demonstration of Filipino martial arts shall precede the screening. Flora de Filipinas at the Memphis Botanic Garden. Featuring some of the best Filipino painters of the 19th century, beautiful and important fine prints from the groundbreaking book on Philippine botany, Flora de Filipinas, will be illustrated with exquisite detail and beauty. The exhibit will take place at a gallery in the Memphis Botanic Garden, a 96-acre campus of sweeping vistas, with lakes, woodlands and display gardens.