(L) “Secrecy, Conspiracy” (2016, oil on canvas) is one of the artworks featured in the exhibit. (R) Ambassador Melita S. Sta. Maria-Thomeczek (third from left) with (L-R) Consul Rona Beth Goce, Filipino artist Ronson Culibrina and art gallery owner Michael Janssen. Culibrina´s “ Persecution is not an inventive feature” (2016, oil on canvas) is featured in the background.

Philippine visual artist  Ronson Culibrina debuts in Berlin with the opening of his solo exhibition at the Galerie Michael Janssen in Potsdamerstrasse 63, Berlin on 1 July 2016. His exhibit, “Resurreccion,” is curated by Ruel Caasi and is open to the public from 2 July to 5 September 2016.

The exhibition by Ronson Culibrina selects key pieces from the works of Felix Resurrección Hidalgo, a key figure in 19th century Philippine art, with interventions that bridge classical Filipino paintings with contemporary times.  Culibrina inserts a wide gamut of icons and images that open up reflections and discussions on themes like flow of goods and cultural influences, globalization, and the dynamics of the art market and economy, to name a few.

The works in the exhibition visualize social media obsession, pop and iconic objects, and details from the works of other masters, such as Fernando Amorsolo, another key figure in Philippine art who was prolific during the country’s years under American rule.

According to the exhibit’s curator, these compositions are meant to trigger the audience to question the category referred to as “master,” its implications and relevance at this point in history with so many materials being appropriated and reworked, and with the past still haunting the present.

Twenty-five year old Ronson Culibrina earned a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Major in Advertising at the Technological University of the Philippines.  He has participated in several group and solo exhibitions in the Philippines and in Singapore.  He was born in Morong, Rizal and works in Quezon City.  END

Consul General Donna Rodriguez delivering the opening remarks and the President´s Independence Day Message

On the occasion of the 118^th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, Consul General Donna M. Rodriguez represented the Embassy at the Cultural Night organized by the Philippine Centennial Organization Hamburg e.V. held at the Congress Centrum in Hamburg.  She delivered the President´s Independence Day Message as the nation welcomed the new administration.  The Embassy’s representative to the event called on fellow Filipinos to work together towards the continued development of the country. The event was a showcase of Philippine dances and songs and Philippine Modern Arnis (Filipino martial arts also known as Eskrima or Kali).  There were about 300 guests. END

ConGen Rodriguez with the German Arnis Association e.V. and Ms. Nemia Pari-an Dernbach, Chair of the Philippine Centennial Organization Hamburg e.V.

London-based Lahing Kayumanggi Dance Company regaling the audience with traditional Philippine dances.