13 September 2004 – The Philippine Ambassador to Canada Francisco L. Benedicto informed the Department of Foreign Affairs that the top caliber and critically acclaimed Philippine Artists Group (PAG), an exclusively Filipino art group in Ontario, Canada, will showcase their works in a landmark art exhibition entitled Convergence Internationale from 24 September to 06 October 2004 at the Artspace Glorieta in Makati City.

The PAG art exhibit, which will include equally talented artists from Canada, New York and the Philippines, will be held in the Philippines for the first time in its sixteen years of history. Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Sutherland will be the guest of honor while Former PAG President Romi Manaquil and Philippine Canadian Canter Foundation President Bayani Abesamis will head the PAG delegation.

Both Ambassador Francisco L. Benedicto and Toronto Consul General Alejandro Mosquera have supported the show. “ This historic art show in the Philippines has been promoted as the biggest ever by the Philippine Artists Group.  It will benefit the Philippine- Canadian Centre and expand the horizons of the Filipino-Canadian artists and further enhance the already warm relationship and goodwill between the Philippines and Canada,” Ambassador Benedicto said.

The PAG, one of the only two known art association in Canada, started as a group of Filipino artists bound by a common background and an interest in actively pursuing and promoting their art and practice. Some of its members have already established names both in Manila and North America. The Group is composed of former art professors in leading art schools and universities in the Philippines and Canada, art awardees, members of prestigious international art organizations and young highly talented artists. The PAG has evolved into a robust and distinguished organization openly supported by the Filipino community in promoting Philippine culture through the visual arts. END