GOVPH

Philippine Embassy in Portugal introduces Philippine weaving traditions in Odivelas

Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna M. Feria (third from left) and Herminia Gonçalves (fourth from left) gifted each other with hand-woven bags from the Philippines and Portugal, respectively. 

09 September 2021, Lisbon - As part of the extensive program of the 17^th Terras Sem Sombra Festival in Ferreira do Alentejo, the Philippine Embassy in Portugal, led by Ambassador Celia Anna M. Feria, introduced the creative and indigenous weaving traditions of the Philippines through the activity entitled Colher, Enlaçar, Tintar: A Cestaria em Odivelas (Harvesting, Lacing, Dyeing: The Basketry in Odivelas), held on 04 September 2021 in Odivelas, one of the parishes under the Municipality of Ferreiro do Alentejo. 

Ambassador Celia Anna M. Feria trying out the tradition weaving basket  technique in making the “cestas de Odivelas”, as  taught by Portuguese artisan Donha Hermínia Gonçalves.

The afternoon event was organized by Dr. Maria João Pina, cultural director of the Municipality of Ferreira do Alentejo. Dr. Pina shared that the tradition of cestaria or basketry is considered in an intangible cultural heritage, a tradition of creating objects using several types of vegetable fibers found around the municipality.  A live weaving demonstration was also conducted by Donha Hermínia Gonçalves, one of the last remaining artisans who has kept alive the Portuguese tradition of basket making in Odivelas. Donha Hermínia Gonçalves showcased her mastery and techniques of weaving natural and dyed reeds which later on transformed into colorful baskets commonly known as Cestas de Odivelas. 

In her presentation, Ambassador Celia Anna M. Feria took the opportunity to highlight the commonalities in the weaving traditions of both the Philippines and Portugal.  As in Portugal, weaving mats using indigenous grass and reeds continues to be an integral part of Philippine culture and tradition, one  which  predates the arrival of the Spanish expedition led by Portuguese navigator Fernao de Magalhaes  when he arrived in the island of Guian, now part of the province of Samar. 

Ambassador Feria brought with her a variety of handwoven products from banigs to functional baskets to colorful designed bags. She emphasized that weaving is a tradition in the Philippines that is commonly done by women, and is a craft that supports the livelihood of women in rural communities, as it is in Portugal. 

Ambassador Celia Anna M. Feria surrounded by Portuguese locals eagerly listening to her discussion on Philippine weaving traditions

Ambassador Feria underscored that similar to Portugal’s objective, the Philippines likewise advocates and is committed to protect, preserve, and pass on the tradition to the next generation to help keep the weaving tradition alive.

Ferreira do Alentejo Mayor Luís António Pita Ameixa together with the municipality officials and a crowd of Portuguese locals were impressed by the colorful and intricate patterns of the handwoven products from the Philippines. 

After the event, discussions between the Philippine Embassy in Portugal and officials of the Municipality of Ferreira do Alentejo were held to revive the previously proposed agreement that will provide opportunities for both countries to develop, protect and preserve each other’s weaving traditions. 

In November 2019, Ambassador Feria together  with Mr. Albert Avellana, curator of the banig exhibition organized by the Philippine Embassy entitled Banig: A Living Tradition of Mat Weaving for over 500 Years, along with  and Mr. Elmer Nochesada author of the book, Rara: Art and Tradition of Mat Weaving in the Philippines,  and Ms. Eva Marie Adona, weaver from Basey in Samar, visited Ferreira do Alentejo in November 2019 to see first-hand the weaving tradition of the Cestas de Odivelas and to share design and product development ideas, with the aim of  creating synergies that will support each country’s industry. 

MADRID BASED FILIPINO PIANIST LAWRENCE ALIGANGA PERFORMS AT THE 17TH TERRAS SEM SOMBRA FESTIVAL IN FERREIRA DO ALENTEJO, PORTUGAL

7 September 2021, LISBON – As part of the 17^th Terras Sem Sombra (Lands without Shadows) Festival in Alentejo, the municipality of the Ferreira do Alentejo, located in southern Portugal played host to the open-air solo piano concert of Madrid based Filipino pianist Lawrence Aliganga entitled, Um Pouco De Música Nocturna: Sonatas, Quase-Sonatas e Algo Mais (A Bit of Music: Sonatas, Quais-Sonatas and Something More). 

The concert was held last 4 September 2021 at the Lagar de Herdade do Marmelo, a technologically advanced olive oil mill in which its production area was converted into a stage for the evening’s concert. The architectural structure of the olive oil factory of the Sovena Group, designed by the Portuguese architect Ricardo Bak Gordon, reflects the  modern olive  industry  in Alentejo today.

The concert program began with the remarks from Sarah Foncesa, Executive Director of the Terras Sem Sombra Festival who welcomed the audience for being part of the pianist's outdoor performance of Laurence Aliganga.

Ferriera do Alentejo Mayor Luis Antonio Pita also provided his remarks where he expressed  his appreciation to the Philippine Embassy for their active participation in this year’s Terras Sem Sombra Festival as well as in the previous festival in 2019. Mayor Pita looks forward to more collaborations between the municipality and the Philippine Embassy in promoting the rich cultural heritage of both the Philippines and the Alentejo region.

Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna M. Feria explained in her remarks, the visual Philippine theme of the concert highlighting the common tradition of the art of weaving between the Philippines and Ferriera do Alentejo. Much like in Portugal, weaving is an integral part of our Philippine culture.  Our weaving tradition predates the arrival of the first Europeans to the islands we now call the Philippines.  500 years ago,  the Spanish expedition led by Portuguese navigator Fernão de Magalhães arrived in the island of Guian, now part of  the Philippine province of Samar, said Ambassador Feria. 

After the remarks of Ambassador Feria, Laurence Aliganga began the concert with a diverse repertoire which combines sonatas by composers from the 18th and 19th centuries such as Scarlatti (Sonata in D minor, K.9), Beethoven (Sonata n.º 21 , Op. 53, in C major) and Liszt (Après une lecture du Dante: Fantasia quasi sonata), and pieces by contemporary masters such as Arvo Pärt and Stephen Sondheim and Filipino folk music  by Filipino composers, Augusto Espino (Tarantella, based on Pen Pen de Sarapen)  and Rodolfo Cornejo (Caprice on a Folk Song).  

An audience of 200 people from various regions from Algarve, Alentejo, Lisbon and Central Portugal and members of the diplomatic corps were awed with the mastery of  the young Laurence Aliganga’s piano technique as he gave them an expressive and intimate piano concert performance. A resounding standing ovation was given to him after his performance to show their enthusiastic appreciation to the Filipino pianist. This is the first international performance of Laurence Aliganga outside Madrid

Madrid-based Filipino pianist Lawrence Aliganga showcasing his mastery of the piano to the Portuguese audience.

Laurence Aliganga who was born in Madrid of Filipino parents, is a rising star in the Spanish classical music scene, where he graduated from the  Arturo Soria Conservatory of Music and from the Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio, under the supervision of renowned Spanish musician Alberto Urroz. 

The 43 pieces of the colorful banig from Basey, Samar, which is the collection of Ambassador Feria were displayed on and around the concert stage to showcase the Filipino ingenuity of the art of mat weaving.  The banigs, which became art centerpieces on the stage, provided the audience an  artistic and cultural experience, while enjoying the beautiful music performed  by the young  pianist Laurence Aliganga. 

Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna M. Feria delivered her opening remarks at the concert stage designed with colorful banigs from Basey, Samar. 

The piano concert of Laurence Aliganga is a result of the synergies of the Philippine Embassy, Terra Sem Sombra and the Municipality of Ferreira do Alentejo to provide an inclusive cultural experience and immersion on the rich and vibrant heritage of the Philippines through music and handicrafts. 

(From left to right) South Korean Ambassador to Portugal Song Oh, Ferreira do Alentejo Mayor Luís António Pita Ameixa, Chairman of NutriInvest Manuel Alfredo de Mello, Madrid based Filipino pianist Lawrence Alinganga, Philippine Ambassador Celia Anna M. Feria, Thai Ambassador to Portugal Krongkanit Rakcharoen, Madame Song Oh, and Dr. President of Terras Sem Sombra Dr. José António Falcão, took a photo opportunity at the end of the concert. 

The Terras Sem Sombra Festival is in its 17th year and is considered to be one of the popular festivals in Portugal, which was inaugurated in 2003 and aims to promote the various municipalities in the Alentejo region, through music, cultural heritage and biodiversity conservation.  The Festival also showcases foreign cultures which gives the opportunity for the Portuguese to deepen their understanding of cultural diversity. END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN PORTUGAL PROMOTES THE LISBON PREMIER OF LINO BROCKA’S BAYAN KO: KAPIT SA PATALIM AT THE CINEMATECA PORTUGUESA

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN PORTUGAL PROMOTES THE LISBON PREMIER OF LINO BROCKA’S BAYAN KO: KAPIT SA PATALIM AT THE CINEMATECA PORTUGUESA

 Ambassador Celia Anna M. Feria delivers her short remarks during the film screening at Cinemateca Portuguesa. 

28 June 2021, Lisbon – As part of Mes Filipino sa Lisboa, the yearly month-long celebration of  Philippine Independence by the Philippine Embassy in Portugal, the Embassy,  in collaboration with the Cinemateca Portuguesa, co-hosted the Lisbon premier of the 1984 Lino Brocka classic film,  Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim, on 25 June 2021 at 5:30 in the afternoon, at the Manuel Félix Ribeiro Hall of the Cinemateca Portuguesa.

This  Lino Brocka classic film was one of the 21 films which comprised  the Cinemateca’s June film cycle, entitled Carta Branca (Carte Blanche)  curated by the highly respected Portuguese film and music critic, Augusto Seabra.  Mr. Seabra chose 21 films from different countries, which featured 5 countries from Asia, including the Philippines. Known for being an avid admirer of Asian films, Augusto Seabra became a friend of Lino Brocka in the course of his career as a film critic, having the highest esteem for his Filipino director friend all throughout the years.

“The Lisbon premiere of one of Lino Brocka’s classic films was another way to show the brilliance of the Filipino as an artist, one dedicated to his craft, whose expertise in the field of film has reached out to audiences beyond the Philippines, even 30 years after his death”, according to Philippine Ambassador to Portugal, Celia Anna M. Feria.

The Philippine Embassy continues to forge stronger cultural and people-to-people ties between the Philippines and Portugal through the medium of films. In addition, it provided the Portuguese and general public to experience the technical and artistic sophistication of the Philippine film industry.