PHILIPPINE ANINO SHADOWPLAY COLLECTIVE FEATURED

AT THE KIRKCUDBRIGHT INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL

15 August 2007 – Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Edgardo B. Espiritu reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Filipino talents on shadow puppetry were showcased at the Kirkcudbright International Arts Festival held from 09 to 29 July 2007 in Kirkcudbright , Scotland .

Three highly talented Filipino artists, Datu Arellano, Don Salubayba, and Marc Cosico, all alumni of the Philippine High School for the Arts and the University of the Philippines' College of Fine Arts and are highly accomplished painters in their own right, introduced the craft of Shadow Theatre through workshops to some of the young people from schools in the region of Dumfries and Galloway.

The workshop culminated in a performance of environmental pieces inspired by the songs of Joey Ayala, "Manong Pawikan" (Mr. Sea Turtle) and "Agila" (Philippine Eagle), and excerpts from shadow play of famous Filipino novel Florante at Laura, a masterpiece of Francisco "Balagtas" Baltazar, generally considered the first major Filipino poet. Florante at Laura, an epic poem that criticizes Spanish tyranny in the Philippines , inspired a generation of Filipinos to use their literary talents to call for political and social reform under the Spanish colonial regime in the Philippines .

Ms. Gladys Corbett, wife of the late Philippine Honorary Consul lan Corbett, represented the Philippine Embassy at the festival.

The Kirkcudbright International Arts Festival is a triennial event that brings together award-winning print and poetry portfolios from all over the world alongside Scottish and British artists of high calibre.  END

/esgret

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