The IVLP fellowship was conducted in Washington, D.C. for all ten of us (and then in San Francisco just for me, courtesy of the Institute of International Education). After the official business and the conference where Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave a policy speech on Internet freedom of expression, we were given a tour of the imposing city, the capital of the most powerful nation. And you could feel it, too! The history-rich buildings, the wondrous monuments, the provocative landmarks, the White House (although we only saw a fraction of the interior)… they all served to impress upon the visitor a sense of awe and admiration.

Experiencing Washington was a wonderful surprise. On the flight to D.C., I thought it was going to be a drab city, populated by boring government types and such. Far from it! Even though we were in deep winter, I could see how vibrant life was in Washington. Most people dressed in dull colors, yes, and yet I couldn’t help but see a colorful city, alive with activity and vigor. And being the capital, my ears pricked at the abundance of foreign languages spoken everywhere I went.

Contrary to expectation, there were so many young people around. Dupont Circle and Georgetown were a special treat for me — in and around the beautiful shops along the picturesque streets, college students and yuppies were everywhere to be seen. And it was easy to get to know them and talk about stuff. It was quite exhilarating!

Also part of the IVLP was a chance for us to spend time with American families. I had dinner with a wonderful family in Potomac, Maryland. The purpose of “home hospitality” was to give IVLP participants a feel of the typical American home. But I didn’t feel it was “typical” at all, because the family I was fortunate enough to meet is, in fact, quite an internationalized bunch. The man of the house was a former JAG officer who was stationed in the Philippines for a time, and his wife is a Japanese national — I was very delighted to have had the chance to practice my Nihongo with her! Their daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter had recently come back from Hong Kong and Singapore, and happily joined us for dinner. Talking with them was eye-opening for me, and gave me a glimpse of American family life that’s wholly different from what you might see in movies.

On my first weekend, a couple of Manileño friends brought me to the National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. This facility houses an enormous collection of aviation and space artifacts owned by the Smithsonian Institution. (It’s where they filmed the sequel to The Transformers — remember the SR-71 that turned into an old but friendly Decepticon?) As a Star Trek fan, it was incredible seeing the Enterprise space shuttle up close; I think I spent more time in that section of the Center than anywhere else.

My friends also brought me shopping (Outlet, where else?), and to an honest-to-goodness diner in McLean, VA called Silver Diner where they serve hearty American fare. All in all, it was a great way to kick off the vacation part of my stay in the U.S.

While I was in the East Coast, owing to good friends who went out of their way to host me, I was able to see New York City, Boston (as well as other places in New England), Nashua, and other cities. From Washington I took the bus to NYC, via a relatively new service called the “Bolt Bus“. Get this: comfy seats, quiet ride, free wifi, and power outlets everywhere! What’s more, the rates are incredibly affordable — I was lucky when I booked my trips online, because I got the D.C. to NYC trip (4 hours) for only $10, and the NYC to Boston ticket for only $15.

Even before I got there, I knew I’d love New York — and I did! A cousin who lives in Manhattan brought me around the night life there, and a dear friend from Davao showed me the quieter side of the Big Apple’s attractions. I also had a chance to see a high school classmate, and we had dinner at an Italian restaurant in Times Square. And in between, I gave myself time to really walk around this bustling city. I didn’t pass up strolling along the frozen lanes of Central Park either. But of all the places I’ve been to in New York, I think it’s Brooklyn that I like. It’s more relaxed, so to speak, compared to the hectic nature of Manhattan.

When I thought of visiting New York, I was apprehensive about taking the subway. But once my friend explained it to me, it was a snap. I got myself a 7-day metro pass and tried to lose myself in the city… but it just wasn’t possible. With all the signs and maps, it’s simply impossible to get lost. Of course, thanks to Google Maps, it was easy to locate the subway stations. One thing that I truly appreciated is that New Yorkers walk and commute to where they need to go, and that public transportation is reliable and efficient (which is the opposite in Los Angeles).

One of the places in the U.S. that I made a point to visit was Boston, to see an old friend from my college days; actually, he and his family live in Waltham, Massachusetts, but they gave me the grand tour of the East Coast’s oldest city. It had been more than a decade since I last saw my friend, so the time I spent in New England was a chance for us to catch up. We reminisced the good old days on frozen lakes, at an English pub called John Harvard’s (guess where that is), around Boston’s historic suburbs, and at Union Oyster Hall, reputedly America’s oldest restaurant.

It was too bad I could only spend three days with my old buddy, but I had to go back to Washington for my flight to the West Coast. I took the Amtrak for an 8-hour trip back to the capital, and then a 7-hour flight to the city I fell in love with the moment I got there: San Francisco. (It was a connecting flight via Atlanta, GA, so I might say I’ve been to 10 states… but then I didn’t really get to see anything except the airport.)

The San Francisco leg was actually part of my official business in the States. Still, I had lots of time on my own, and I put it to good use. Walking around downtown SFO was an exhilarating experience, what with the variety of places to see, interesting people to chat with, and the sights, sounds and scents to take in!

I had a hilarious experience when I was at Pier 39. I was ambling around Fisherman’s Wharf, holding a humongous hotdog I had just bought from a sidewalk vendor. Suddenly, a huge pelican swoops down and snaps resoundingly at my hotdog-holding hand!! I can still remember the awful sound that big bill made — he could very well have severed my fingers! I was still in shock when I heard a group of people laughing behind me. I turned around and proudly showed them my mustard-covered snack, cut in half by that sea bird, but still all mine. I walked away with the group clapping in glee.

If I were given the choice of city to live in the U.S. it would be San Francisco (in spite of the pesky pelicans). There’s something about its character that appeals to me, and it would be great if I could discover it more meaningfully someday.

And finally, I traveled to Los Angeles on 5 February for the remainder of my journey. I flew Virgin America, which is a cool airline, if you ask me — the ground personnel as well as the in-flight people were casual and friendly, and yet very professional in their service.

Even though I went to only one state in the West Coast, I did go to quite a number of cities in California: San Francisco, Berkeley, L.A., Burbank, Glendale, Castaic, Venice Beach, etc., not to mention Silicon Valley.

The city of Castaic is not very well known (even among Americans, I found out). It’s in Santa Clarita Valley, the northernmost part of L.A. County, and it’s where my aunt and her husband live. My mom’s sister and I hadn’t seen in each other in many years, so she moved heaven and earth to get me to Los Angeles for the last couple of weeks of my stay in the States. I got to like it in Castaic… although it was rather too bucolic for my city-boy tastes. So off I went traipsing around L.A. with more friends, although I did do my best to spend time with my aunt and her lovable dogs.

My Filipino friends brought me all over the place: Universal Studios, West Hollywood, downtown L.A., Griffith Observatory, etc. Three new friends, one of whom is a regular reader of my blogs, gave me an awesome tour of the studios of The Family Guy and The Simpsons. And I got a Simpsons action figure to boot, signed by the two Filipinos, who’re über-talented artists!

This was my first time in the States, and for this opportunity I’m very grateful to the State Department (especially to Sarah L., Christopher S., Ryan M.), the U.S. Embassy in Manila (particularly to Rebecca T., Richard N., Yoly dG.), and the Institute of International Education (especially to Perrine L. and her colleagues). I certainly hope a similar opportunity will come my way again in the not-too-distant future.

My love and gratitude to my friends, Kuya Dong & Mary Ann, Ram & Martin, Bob & Lani, Lem & Rai, Ian, Grace (who put me up in NYC), Jhoanna, Ricky & Riza, Manny, Corky (who gave me an impromptu tour of SFO); to my cousins, Ate Elaine and Jenny (who welcomed me in Michigan), Paolo, Karl; and to my dear Tita Baby & Tito Alex. Thanks to all of you, I had an extraordinary and memorable month-long stay in America!

This Davao-born visual artist frequently stepped upstage during his college years for consistently winning painting competitions. His stuttering childlike speech, incompatible with his towering 6-foot height, sometimes made people laugh. Today, Bienvenido Banez, Jr., towers all the more for achievements uncommon among Filipino artists.

Diagnosed with mild learning disability during childhood, Ben’s focus of attention has always been his art. Rightly so. In 2002, he won first place in the Asian Fellowship Painting Competition of the prestigious Vermont Studio Center, launched from Vermont, USA. Last year, in New York City, where he based himself after his Vermont fellowship, he was the only Filipino among the more than seventy international, surreal visual artists featured in the grandest-ever birth anniversary celebration of John Milton and what is considered as the greatest English poem, his Paradise Lost.

Earlier, in 2004, the president and executive director of Williamsburg Art & Historical Center in Brooklyn, while viewing Ben’s painting, commented to a fashion photographer that Banez is the “greatest living surrealist from the Philippines.” This comment from contemporary Surrealism’s prime mover, Terrance Lindall, himself the organizer of Milton’s biggest birthday bash, may have been trivially said. But today it is substantiated by yet another achievement in Banez’s career: his name, profile, and sample work are recently published in a German edition of “The International Encyclopedia of Fantastic, Surrealist, Symbolist, & Visionary Artists” or Lexikon Surreal for short. Thus, Bienvenido Bones Banez, again the only Filipino in the inventory, now appears along with Surrealism greats such as Salvador Dal&iaccute;, Ernst Fuchs, Keith Wigdor, and Jon Beinart, to name a few, in the same book.

666 Screaming by Ben Banez

In page 35 of Lexikon Surreal, Banez’s work, “666 Screaming,” appears in full color; while in page 44, his profile is printed in German. Translated into English, it reads:

BANEZ JR. BIENVENIDO BONES

(Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines, 1962-  ) Filipino visionary, male, lives and works in the USA. Studied in the Ford Academy of the Arts in Davao City, Island of Mindanao; associate professor in the Philippine Women’s College-Davao. 2002 winner in the Asian Fellowship Painting Competition of the Vermont Studio Center, Vermont, USA., and has lived since in the USA.

If greatness also means winning an international art fellowship, the admiration of a globally-distinguished art organizer, and being genus among a roster of historical figures and international achievers, then, this Mindanaoan artist has at least cut himself a slice of the surreal pie.

Banez’s art is an expression of fundamental belief in Evil having gained dominion over the Earth. Injustice, inequity, conflicts, wars, environmental destruction, human suffering–for him all these are manifestations of Satan’s rule–a perception ancient as the Judaeo-Christian doomsday prophets and feasted upon by the human mind ancient to modern.

What makes Banez a paradox among surrealists is his depiction of hellish conditions not as murky depths, but psychedelic sceneries where spectra of colors enthrall the viewer to a fantastic world only he could conceive. Figures–human, geometric or biomorphic curiosities–lose tactility and become translucent images and luminosities swirling, shimmering, or disintegrating in a world bereft of gravity.

Marvelous colors, resembling those of jewelry and precious stones, at closer look turn out to be cellular infections, acid-chemical concentrates, or spreading volcanic lava, eating up human figures, corrupting techno systems, and contaminating the cosmos–the artist’s vision perhaps of bio-chemical warfare and natural catastrophe combined to destroy the Establishment. Neonlike brushstrokes snake through his canvases–flowing traffic that at certain points entangle on some physical perversion and gets jammed on a plexus of human agony nestled on infernal flame.

Esthetically mesmerizing the colors are in a Banez canvas, the perverted figures and miserable faces of humankind are as morbid and offensive to good taste. Apparently, the artist schemes to capture the viewer with wonder; then, in succeeding moments, pounces on his cognitive faculties with horrors of the wages of sin. This rare Banez visual irony fits well with Surrealism as originally defined by spokesperson Andre Breton: Beauty must be convulsive. In this context, Banez earned his ticket to the theater of the absurd where Hieronymus Bosch and company once sat and dreamed.

It is notable that Banez, despite his psychedelic colors, is not and was never a drug abuser. His recent works indicate he has evolved from common representational surrealism into unique abstract surrealism as his figures and images lose physical and material volume, reduced to their astral constituency–something that only the very rare eye of contemplation could see. It is said only 2% of the world’s total population could see with contemplation’s eye.

His abstraction of surrealism is a direction not commonly trodden by surrealists down history. This is the future that Banez should look forward to, to discover new horizons where he as Man is created not to languish in murky infernal depths, but to fulfill his vivid godly inheritance. It does not set him apart from his fellow Filipinos but pulls them up as artists universal as any other race.

Lexikon Surreal is authored by Gerhard Habarta. Measuring 9 x 6.75 inches, it is printed hardcover, with ribbon. It contains 1,122 artist biographies from 69 countries in 464 pages, with 950 black-and-white and 458 color reproductions.

From rowing a banca in a river during his teen years to bringing his own children to their first beach outing, Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Felix Mari Hotchkiss Durano shares why idyllic Carrascal in Surigao del Sur is still home to him in the latest issue of m (Life and Living in Mindanao) magazine. Durano, champion of Philippine tourism, reveals the many unforgettable summers he spent in his maternal hometown as well as his plans for tourism development in Mindanao.

Also in m‘s sixth issue, learn about the sumptuous paella recipe of Dabawenyo chef Juan Guino-o Gaddi; the purposeful journey of Eric John Madela in helping rebuild lives in many Mindanao communities; the stylish creations of Cagay’anon designers Roel Rosal and Melvin Lachica in the recent Philippine Fashion Week; Mindanao’s bustling rubber industry and Zamboanga’s Ecozone and Freeport Authority; and, the passions of visual and performing artists Rosalie Zerrudo and Jun Cayas.

Itching to travel? Flip through the pages of m and unravel the treasures of ancient Maitum, the vibrant nightscape of Iligan, the festive and religious rituals of Kinabayo Festival, and the vibrant blend of the north and south in Binuyugan Festival. Get your backpacks ready and join m in rediscovering the island’s amazing destinations — Dapitan, Mati, Sohoton Cove, and the islands of Surigao.

As this issue’s special fashion feature, m highlights six exemplary young men — Mindanao’s up-and-coming movers and shakers, plus many more fascinating stories on the places, people, flavors and colors of Mindanao as m celebrates its splendor, beauty and diversity.

m, Mindanao’s first-ever glossy travel and lifestyle publication, is now available in National Bookstore, Babasahin, Fully Booked, Power Books, Forewords, Christian Ventures, hotels, resorts and airport lounges and other leading bookstores and magazine stands nationwide. Grab a copy now!

And they were serious about the nationalistic campaign. They sent the flip-flops along with truly Filipino icons: a miniature jeepney replica, a bag of dried mangoes, and a packet of Choc•Nuts!! Seeing the Choc•Nuts brought to mind images of my much younger days… Suddenly, comfortable tsinelas and those pseudo-chocolate goodies do make a nostalgic match.

“Emblazoned with renditions of Filipino pride, the Limited Edition Havaianas Filipinas Collection features the style Havaianas Filipinas Plain, which showcases a stylized pin of Philippine colors and the style Havaianas Filipinas Print, which features the ever-enduring symbol of Filipino culture, art and lifestyle, the Jeepney, rendered in edgy silver, with either black or metallic silver straps.”

Which is what I got, the pair with the silver straps, studded with the colors of the Philippine flag. :woot:

The Limited Edition Havaianas Filipinas Collection–specially designed and produced for the Philippines–arrived in stores on the 12th of June, in celebration of Independence Day. In Davao City, havaianas® flip-flops are available in SM City, Chimes, and other specialty stores.

What I enjoy about wearing havaianas®, it gives you a pretty valid — and sometimes fashionable — excuse to wear slippers outside. And in my line of work, where I’m not expected to come in formal attire too often, I can really get away with wearing casual footwear to a meeting with clients, or when I work at any of my favorite cafés.

Thanks to Havaianas Philippines for my ‘proudly Filipino’ flip-flops! And thanks to my friend, Marga, for getting me in the exclusive list of recipients of the Havaianas Filipinas Collection!

Speaking of matters nationalistic, today is the 118th birth anniversary of our national hero, Dr. José Rizal.

Here are some action photos, courtesy of my good friend, Iris Lahora.

I celebrated the coming of 2009 A.D. and spent the last hours of the year 2008 with good friends & family at Eden Nature Park in the south of Davao City. It was my first time to spend New Year’s Eve at this mountain resort that I love so much — a big Thank you! to my friends at Eden for making this New Year’s celebration a wonderful one!

Each year — and this has been going on for almost a decade now — Eden Nature Park hosts a New Year’s bash that everyone talks about. It’s an event for the whole family, with entertainment and shows for all ages. This year, the Park put on magic shows, a Narnia wardrobe (playroom) for the kids, face-painting, henna tattooing, even fortune-telling.

The bands did a swell job of entertaining the oldies with 70s music during the early part of the evening, then moved on to more recognizable tunes for the younger set. There was also a percussion band (Katribo) that played music that really livened up the whole place. And the fire dancing show was spectacular!

Welcoming the new year with good food, good company, the gaiety and conviviality of the people around was truly exhilarating. I had anticipated a rather somber year-ender because my parents spent the holidays out of town and this was the first time that my clan would celebrate without our beloved grandmother (who had passed on last March). But some of my relatives were there at Eden, as well as friends, so the celebration turned out to be quite festive.

The food helped, of course! Eden has long been known for their sumptuous buffet spread, and it was no different during the New Year’s party. I especially relished the seafood dishes and the salads, as well as the roasted calf that made my mouth water.

Next year, I hope I can go back and celebrate with more friends and more family members again at Eden Nature Park. This time, I’d like to stay overnight. We were supposed to this time, but we decided to go and continue the partying in downtown Davao.

This 2009, I look forward to more events in Davao and beyond, both blogging-related and otherwise. Watch out for what my team and I will come up with this year!

Film actress, TV host, product endorser, fashion model and mother Angel Aquino shares her life, her passions and her unforgettable return to Mindanao in the latest issue of m. (Life and Living in Mindanao). A CineMalaya Film Festival Best Actress awardee, Aquino was once referred to as the “Ingrid Bergman of Asia” by a renowned Japanese filmmaker for her versatility in her craft.

In its third release, m. goes west of the island to rediscover the Philippines’ Latin City, Zamboanga, and uncovers its irresistible attractions and nocturnal haunts. For the adventurous, m. treks to Mindanao’s offbeat destinations, drifts into to the tranquil waters of Lake Sebu to celebrate its Helubong Festival, and takes a culinary excursion to uncover Mindanao’s leading chains of restaurants.

As homage to extraordinary Mindanawons, m. celebrates the artistry of fashion designer Garimon Roferos who triumphed in the Concours International des Jeunes Créateurs de Mode in Paris; reminisces the life-changing expedition of Mount Everest conqueror Pastor Emata; traces the journey of peace of the all-women theatre ensemble Mebuyan Peace Project; and highlights the man behind the top designs of Cagayan de Oro’s contemporary abodes.

In this issue, m. also takes a peek into Mindanao’s thriving film industry; Zamboanga Peninsula’s thriving seaweeds trade; Davao City’s flourishing BPO industry; and the distinctive designs of local fashion designers inspired by the island’s famous icons and destinations.

Read, get inspired and learn as m. reveals an exciting, bustling and peaceful picture of modern Mindanao. m. is now available at National Bookstore, Fully Booked, PowerBooks, Forewords, Christian Ventures, hotels, resorts, cafés, spas, airport lounges and leading bookstores and magazine outlets nationwide.

(This press release was sent in by Ian Garcia, who is part of the magazine’s editorial board. Check out an earlier post I published about m.)

My new favorite cheap, hassle-free fast food joint is now Tapa King. There’s one on Burgos St., which is near my buddy’s condo where I stayed. I had brunch there more than a couple of time, and my choice order: the Tapa Queen, because it’s spicy. They may even be better than Rufo’s… but then again, I’ve never eaten at Rufo’s except after a night of drinking, so it wouldn’t be fair to compare.

For pizza, what I always look forward to in my trips to Manila is Brooklyn Pizza. I never fail to order Porko, but I’ve discovered that I also like their White Pizza, which has 4 different cheeses in it. I’m salivating right now as I write this! I wish it was Brooklyn Pizza that opened here in Davao, and not Yellow Cab…

Another place that makes me drool just thinking about their food is Cyma. I absolutely love Mediterranean cuisine, and Cyma is one of the best. Their beef and lamb steaks are to die for! And the prices aren’t steep either, considering. There’s this watermelon salad with feta cheese and lamb chops that my friends introduced to me there (too bad I can’t remember the name of the dish). If you haven’t had that yet, ask for it next time you’re at Cyma — I recommend it vigorously!

Speaking of Mediterranean, one of my first stops during this last trip was Ziggurat, also on Burgos. I hadn’t been back there in years, so it was a long-overdue experience for me. I’m happy to report that their food is still top-notch. Spicy foods make me crazy!! And curry makes me absolutely certifiable.

One other place that I revisited was Fiesta San Miguel in Dusit Thani. It had been more than a decade since the last time I’d been there. It was a delight to find that they still have their micro-brewery. Some friends brought me there after a hearty dinner at the Shangri-la Hotel in Makati. Fiesta San Miguel’s home brews (especially the draft variety) were a perfect night cap to a splendid meal, which was hosted by Google for the launching of MapMaker.

Two new places for me: The Soup Kitchen (or is it just "The Kitchen"?) and Paul Calvin’s Deli. The first, in Greenbelt, was a very interesting experience: good Filipino food and a very relaxed atmosphere. I’ll definitely go back there on my next trip.

Paul Calvin’s Deli had a taste-testing of their new buffet breakfast offering, so they invited a group of bloggers last 5 October. I must say, it was pretty good! It was an abundant spread of 5 or 6 dishes, with various kinds of breads and pastries. Plus, I really loved the fact that they also serve taho.

Looking at the buffet spread, you get a feeling that you’re in a hotel. That’s probably because the chef (Calvin) used to work for a 5-star hotel. One of the owners, Jay Em, said that they plan to offer their breakfast buffet thrice a week (MWF). Paul Calvin’s Deli is at the ground floor of the Forbes Town Center on Rizal Drive, Fort Bonifacio. (By the way, they have free wifi there.)

As much as there are delicious food offerings in Davao, I miss the restaurants of Metro Manila. There simply is a lot to choose from over there — a week’s stay in barely enough to sample even a small percentage of the capital’s gastronomic delights. If nothing else — and despite the traffic and pollution — it’s the food that makes my trips to Manila worthwhile.

Other restaurants I got to like: RedBox in Greenbelt 3, and Shawarma Snack Center in Malate (Sales St. I think). Of course, my favorite coffee shop is still the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

A Manila-based foodie blog that I recommend is Manila Foodistas. Do check it out.

Davao Surreal Artist features in New York Exhibit celebrating John Milton and Paradise Lost

Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo* were the first Filipino visual artists to achieve international recognition by virtue of their winning gold and silver medals, respectively, in international painting competitions in 19th century Europe, during years when Modernism was still swelling as a wave to eventually sweep the world. Luna, especially, did it as a form of propaganda disclosing imperialist Spain’s unjust treatment of its then colony, Las Islas Filipinas. Unknown to these two Philippine art icons, a trail of artist followers would form behind them a century later, in terms of desiring to be recognized internationally, this time as a way out of the difficult artist condition (whose condition is easy anyway?) in the Philippines. As result, a number of contemporary pinoy painters are now represented by established galleries in some of the world’s art centers. Whether they are financially better off now and happier is, of course, another question.

Bienvenido Bones Banez is a surrealist artist from Davao City who is not after monetary rewards in his artistic pursuits, but is definitely happier since he based himself in New York because he is experiencing acceptance and recognition of his talent. Now, he is posed to enter the portals of art history as the only Filipino invited to exhibit work in what is projected to be the grandest-ever celebration honoring the blind man-turned-literary immortal John Milton and his classic masterpiece, Paradise Lost. Banez’s participation is more significant in that of the more than 60 visual artists from all over the world, who will display work, he is one of only three who are distinguished as featured.

In his emailed letter to this writer, WAH Center President and Executive Director Terrance Lindall announced that Bienvenido Bones Banez has been named a "Featured Artist" in the Paradise Lost show in September 27-November 2, 2008, at the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center in Brooklyn, NYC, USA, along with two other outstanding artists, Kris Kuksi and Rich Buckler. Terrance said of Ben (Banez’s nickname):

"I know of no artist whose work so sincerely expresses his heart felt belief and knowledge that we live in a Satanic time. Ben calls this his ’666 World.’ He sees humans as possessing the ability to make a Paradise on Earth and yet devoting their energies for wealth, power, and self gratification at the expense of their fellow beings. It is a contradiction to pursue selfish interests for one’s own satisfaction by creating misery for one’s neighbor. No lasting satisfaction can ultimately come from it. Ben is right in that Satan surely has the world in his clutches while encouraging nations and individuals to dominate one another for wealth and resources. Until another Jesus or Ghandi appears to lead us to the light, we are in dark times and dire straits. One should look deeply into Ben’s paintings to see what we have become and are becoming in this ’666 World’. True poets and artists must be called upon to sound the alarm. Ben has answered the call!

“He paints as if he is plugged into a wall socket and the energy that pours forth through his brain and fingertips to the canvas comes out in pulses of scintillating colors,” adds Lindall.

Kris Kuksi is one of the most highly regarded artists in the contemporary surreal/visionary movement. His work is in the collection of Chris Weitz, Director of the movie, The Golden Compass, based upon Philip Pullman’s book and grounded in John Milton’s Paradise Lost. Richard “Rich” Buckler is an American comic book artist best known for his work on Marvel Comics’ The Fantastic Four in the mid-1970s. He will be producing a portrait of John Milton for the 21st century, unveiling of which will be at the Costume Ball.

Of the participating performing artists, Polish surrealist fashion designer Olek, herself a stunning beauty, will be of particular interest to beholders of the absurdly beautiful as she unravels her latest unique creation with her company of models parading, preening and posing throughout all three floors of the exhibit venue during the ball (see sample photo of her 2003 debut also at WAH Center). Another is playwright/musician/composer Peter Dizozza, described as an “incredibly unique talent,” who will present his musical mystery play “Paradise Found!”

Other performing artists are scheduled intermittently to grace the celebration all the way to November 2: the jazz bar-favorite JC Hopkins Biggish Swing Band; Yana Schnitzler with Human Kinetics Movement Arts – a “mesmerizing”, interactive, cutting-edge dance group; a band of musicians led by Arthur Kirmss dressed in 17th century costume belting out Baroque tunes; and poet S. David as tour guide.

The historical exhibit includes Miltonia; a handwritten Torah scroll of the Book of Genesis — approximately 300 to 400 years old, original copies of Paradise Lost; old woodcuts and engravings; and Royal British memorabilia.

Entrance ticket to the ball is very affordable at $40 for art and entertainment that could go into the annals of history.

* Simon Flores y de la Rosa was reported by the Ayala Museum as having won silver award in the Philadelphia Universal Exposition in 1876, several years earlier than Luna and Hidalgo earned their medals; thus, accordingly, should be credited as the first Filipino artist to receive international recognition.

(Watch out for the concluding Third Part of this series after the grand costume ball in September 28!)

When British Renaissance poet John Milton wrote what is considered as the greatest poem in the English language, he was a frustrated political/religious writer and financially distraught. Worse, he had become blind. He retreated to a silent life and dictated Paradise Lost to a sympathetic acquaintance who wrote it down (Braille was not born yet) for him.

Milton’s epic poem about the fall of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden then went through history as the classic, literary masterpiece of the meta-narrative from which three of the world’s foremost religious traditions originate: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The notion of Original Sin is, thus, consequently embedded, this time with a poetic twist, in the modern Judeo-Christian psyche. The world, as we now know it, evolved not without a tug-of-war between the God-fearing and the non-believers.

Milton, despite his surliness and heretical religious views, became an icon representing the poet stepping into divine realms, joining visual artist Michelangelo before him and ancient philosopher Socrates, also blind, who must have found himself in interesting if not temperamental company.

Starting September 27, present year, what could be the grandest celebration of Milton’s birthday is going to be held categorically neither by the God-fearing nor the non-believers. John Milton’s 400th birth anniversary celebration will be opened with a grand costume ball by international surreal artists, musicians/composers, poets, fashion models and other stage performers who, for more than a month, will showcase talent and work.

Consider these: over sixty visual artists from all over the globe will display works; a Miltonia historical exhibit; a stunning Polish female artist with her bevy of beautiful fashion models will materialize from dream to reality what surreal fashion is; a jazz band doing what they do best in some of the finest bars; and a cutting-edge dance troupe. Good food and drinks too are to be served. Even the possibility of traffic jams on the road going to the venue is foresighted. If you get caught in one, you would not mind taking a look at the show’s advertisement in full-color Passport magazine you had earlier received from a band of professional models who distributed the publication to train passengers for free!

That the event is going to happen in Brooklyn, New York City, should interest Filipino readers not because we are the first, and for long the only, Christian country in Asia, and also the first to be Westernized culturally (350 years inside the convent and 45 in Hollywood, remember?), but because one of the three main featured artists is a Filipino—a surrealist from Davao. Why? Because his presence among the world’s best known living surrealists to honor the immortalized blind poet is testament to the Filipino artist’s universality. But this means nothing if the event organizer, the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center, along with the people behind it, is not credible enough.

The WAH Center

The Williamsburg Art & Historical Center, non-profit, has been described as the epicenter of Brooklyn’s largest artist community: Williamsburg. Its 3-storey, 19th century edifice used to play significant role in America’s financial success as a county savings bank during a time when hostility between the musket-firing US Army and insubordinate, tomahawk-wielding natives had ebbed. A touch of ingenuity from WAH Center founder Yuko Nii, from 1996 onwards, transformed it into a cultural dynamo and one of NYC’s landmark buildings as declared by the City Council in 2007, preserving it forever, hopefully, from the ravages of development.

Yuko Nii, acclaimed artist and philanthropist of Japanese descent, herself, is a beloved daughter of New York State, having been distinguished as one of 1997’s Women of the Year awardees. Her awards did not begin and end there: Betty Smith Arts Award, Outstanding Citizen Award, Asian Cultural Award… include the credentials she had accumulated, and this page would easily fill; it is, therefore, for the interested reader to surf in the web. Suffice it to say that she had once been described by NY Governor George Pataki as “Woman of Excellence with Vision and Courage.” She is presently WAH Center’s Artistic Director.

Official Brooklyn Historian John Manbeck said in an article: “Art in Williamsburg has made great strides. In fact, all Williamsburg has progressed, undoubtedly because of its attraction to artists. Much of the credit must be placed on the doorstep of the director of the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center, Yuko Nii.” The City Council of New York believes in and trusts her enough that it infused the WAH Center a $500,000 capital funding grant.

Reciprocating Nii’s vision and courage is the brilliant and steady leadership of President and Executive Director Terrance Lindall, philosopher, poet, writer, events organizer, and artist. Lindall seems to excel in all his endeavors. As student of philosophy he graduated magna cum laude from Hunter College in 1970; as artist, his modern illustrations for Paradise Lost are today the best known, excepting those of William Blake and Gustave Dore. As leader, he organized in 2003 the largest-ever surrealist show in history. The Brave Destiny, as it was called, gathered almost 500 surrealists from all over the globe, converging in WAH Center, declaring to all dreamers, realists, and abstractionists that Surrealism is very much alive!

Now, WAH Center’s 400th birthday celebration of John Milton and Paradise Lost, with Lindall as Show Director, promises to join the annals of history as Milton’s grandest. The blind immortal has something to thank Lindall for. Surrealism founder Andre Breton, too, now has a successor who is perpetuating the movement beyond the 20th century. So felt is Lindall’s influence in the art world that he was included in the Marquis list of Who’s Who in America 2006. Information about him can also be found in the Smithsonian Institute Library. The original Lindall Paradise Lost illustrations are in the collection of the Yuko Nii Foundation and will also be displayed during the exhibit.

(To be continued, featuring Davao Surrealist Ben Banez.)