The largest and brightest full moon of the year appeared last Saturday US time (Sunday in our area of the world), coinciding with the Cinco de Mayo celebration of Latin America. We learn that this particular full moon’s peak coincides with its closest approach this year to the earth’s orbit, presaging for us the more memorable days of May.
Last Saturday, I attended the inauguration at our Museo Sugbo of a special exhibition titled “Handumanan: The Rosita Arcenas Collection of Bisaysan Santos,” together with a gathering of Cebu’s cultural aficionados. A detailed description of the exhibit appeared last Monday in a Cebu daily. I remember having seen some of the items on exhibit when I was privileged to have been invited by Arcenas to her Banawa residence to view her remarkable private collection. I am glad that this has now gone on public exhibition and will eventually be housed in the in the museum of the University of San Carlos, a valuable legacy from the Arcenas family.
The exhibit provides a highlight in Cebu in our celebration of National Heritage Month, with the observance of International Museum Day on the 18th, Friday next week.
The Mandaue Fiesta last Tuesday, the 8th, in honor of their patron, St. Joseph the Worker, is one that combines one of our traditional religious celebrations with our historical and cultural heritage. Fiesta Day Mass was celebrated at the Mandaue parish church, declared a National Shrine in 2001. Religious, as well as cultural and historical relics there include the oldest image of St. Joseph in Cebu, if not in the country, placed on a retablo on the main altar, as well as a Retablo de Cena of the Last Supper. I am fortunate to have visited and seen those in the Mandaue fiesta some years ago.
The celebration of the 6th Gabii sa Kabilin on the 28th toward the end of this month will provide us with a valuable occasion to appreciate Cebu’s historical, cultural and religious heritage or kabilin, set mainly in Cebu City’s old Parian district.
And now, for current concerns. Tomorrow on my monthly Women’s Kapihan at 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. over radio station dyLA. Our topic for discussion will be “Women and Labor,” especially relevant in this labor month of May. Our guest will be Labor Employment Officer Grace Diaz of the Department of Labor in Cebu. She is also a pioneering member of our Cebu Women’s Network that airs the Women’s Kapihan. Do listen in.
In our last meeting April of the Zonta Club of Cebu I, another women’s organization I belong to, the results of our election for officers of the forthcoming biennium 2012 to 2014 were: president Lucille Colina; VPs, for external affairs Isabel Garcia and for internal affairs Zella Borromeo; aecretary Janette Nellie Chiu and asst. secretary Leticia Canoy; treasurer Pauline Deduque and asst. treasurer Lucia Segura; PRO Cristina Ebrada; auditor Erlinda Binghay and asst. auditor Ma. Luna Mendez; and ex-officio Stella Bernabe, our immediate past president. Congratulations, all!
Tomorrow, Saturday the 12th, will be a very busy day since, while I am hosting my monthly Women’s Kapihan, I shall be unable to attend our Zonta annual recollection and Mass at Zontian Tina Ebrada’s residence in Beverly Hills.
Sunday will be Mother’s Day, which I remember here in the Philippines used to be observed on Dec. 8th, also the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. What changes time indeed does bring these days!
On Sunday, Montebello Villa Hotel at Banilad salutes one of the heroes of all times: Mothers. Montebello treats mothers with a “Picnic and Relax,” offering families “the gift of family togetherness” at 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Picnic accessories and “munchies” will be provided per family and mothers will be treated to a variety of beauty treatments, a gift and special service. Montebello also offers “A Night to Remember” at 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. with fine dining setup at Montebello’s beautifully landscaped gardens and live Latin music, all at only P400 net/person/treat. For inquiries and reservations, you may call 231-3618 1 with local 4019, 566 and 567.
That same day, Sunday, I look forward to attending Homage to Mothers, the 35th One-man Show of Cebuano artist-painter Celso Duazo Pepito opening at 6 p.m. at the lobby of the Montebello Villa Hotel. In the exhibit, Celso, one of my favorite Cebuano painters, visually celebrates Mother’s Day in homage to all mothers, “as they continue to manifest their role of selfless nurturers, promoting their positive values that strengthen the Filipino family and society,” as he describes his artistic tribute to mothers. God bless him and those like him who both recognize and appreciate such people and virtues in our present modern society.
Speaking of which, this is a positive affirmation of faith in these modern days, particularly in this strife-torn month of natural and human-incited disasters from corruption, human suffering from injustices of “man to man,” and more of the modern ills of society.
Next week, I hope to share with you the current planned positive projects by our CURTA (Cebu United Radio and RV Artists Inc.) in our latest monthly meeting, as well as a more positive outlook on our current state of affairs.
In closing, let us remember to pray for the soul of a renowned Filipino, modernist painter, poet and philanthropist who passed away last Friday, a week ago, that her soul may rest in peace: Anita Magsaysay Ho.
Tilll next week, as always, may God continue to bless us, one and all!