DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
P R E S S  R E L E A S E
www.dfa.gov.ph                                                                                           2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                                                                 Tel. No. 834-4000 
SFA-AGR-289-06                                                                                                                                                                                                                             17 April 2006

FILIPINO PAINTER EXHIBITS WORKS AT THAI NATIONAL GALLERY

17 April 2006 – Philippine Ambassador to Bangkok, Thailand Antonio V. Rodriguez reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the works of Filipino painter René Robles have been put up on exhibition at the National Gallery of Thailand beginning 7 April 2006 as part of the 60th Anniversary Celebration of the accession to the throne of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Ambassador Rodriguez said that the exhibit dubbed “The Art of Making Visible: How I Love Thailand” featured more than a hundred of Robles’ works prominently displayed in four halls of the National Gallery.

In his remarks following the brief program, Ambassador Rodriguez thanked the National Gallery – particularly its director, Mr. Sakchai Pojnunvanich – for hosting Robles’ exhibit and for inviting the Embassy to collaborate in the project.

Cutting the ribbon with the Ambassador was Madame Somluck Charoenpot, Deputy Director General of the Fine Arts Department of the Thai Ministry of Culture.  In her statement, Madame Somluck lauded the exhibit as “the first activity of the Fine Arts Department to honor His Majesty the King’s 60th Anniversary of accession to the throne.”  She was also notably struck by one artwork entitled “Fatherland,” which dominantly featured the profile of His Majesty King Bhumibol.

Ambassador Rodriguez said that “Fatherland” shall later be presented as a gift to His Majesty.

The Ambassador reported that guests at the opening included Dr. Chantavit Sajatanond, Deputy Director, Secretariat, South East Asia Ministers on Education Organization and Dr. Sida Sonsri, Philippine specialist at the Faculty of Political Science of Thammasat University.  Members of the Diplomatic Corps in Bangkok likewise attended the event.

Ambassador Rodriguez said that Robles and three other Filipino visual artists represented the Philippines in the Philippines -Thailand art exchange program last year.  This program was in pursuit of continuing efforts to revitalize the cultural agreement between the two countries.

The Ambassador added that the exhibit will run until the end of April 2006.   END
 

/jay