FILIPINO ART EXHIBIT HIGHLIGHTS COMMEMORATION IN HANOI OF 30^TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINES-VIETNAM RELATIONS

14 July 2006 — Philippine Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Estrella A. Berenguel led the ribbon-cutting ceremony to open on 12 July 2006 the painting exhibit by Mr. Manuel Baldemor, a well-known and highly acclaimed Filipino artist, at the Museum of Fine Arts in Hanoi, Vietnam. The exhibit, titled “Vietnam: A Cultural Experience,” will run until 19 July 2006.

Ambassador Berenguel said the exhibit was conducted in coordination with Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture and Information, and the Museum of Fine Arts. The painting exhibit highlighted the commemorative activities in celebration of the 30^th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.  It was widely attended by the diplomatic corps in Hanoi, officials from different government Ministries, Vietnamese artists, the Filipino Community in Hanoi, and other friends of the Philippine Embassy. A number of guests expressed admiration for the well-organized event.

H.E. Tran Chien Thang, Vice Minister of Culture and Information, and H. E. Nguyen Trung Thanh, Assistant Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were guests of honor during the opening ceremony.

In her speech, Ambassador Berenguel said that the exhibit, which features paintings of the land and people of Vietnam as seen through the eyes of a Filipino artist, Mr. Manny Baldemor, was a fusion of Filipino talent and Vietnamese culture. The paintings extolled 30 years of close friendship between the Philippines and Vietnam, which was vividly portrayed on canvas. The Ambassador added that she hoped the paintings would remind both the Filipino and Vietnamese peoples of the long and lasting friendship that exists between them. 

Mr. Baldemor presented to the Museum of Fine Arts a painting titled “The Images of My Homeland,” which depicts the colors, essence and the art and culture of the Filipino people. In his speech, he said that essentially, he was sharing with the people of Vietnam a piece of the Philippines. The painting will be added to the Museum’s art collections. Dr. Truong Quoc Binh, Museum Director, presented him with a Certificate of Recognition.

The painting exhibit will be transferred to the Museum of Fine Arts in Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s business district south of Vietnam, at the end of July 2006. END

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