Mga Pahina

Thursday, August 27, 2020

LIFE IN THE TIME OF CORONA

 



The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has not only brought whole world to a shuddering halt but has impacted our lives in a tremendous manner. None of us imagined that we'd live to experience such a time when eerie silence wander stealthily in empty cities and streets and when people are forced into isolation. Shopping malls, resorts, hotels, train stations, airports, parks, schools and universities are completely deserted during the quarantine period. The scenes are like from the apocalyptic and dystopian movies. The only difference is- it is real, it actually happened and we are still navigating it with uncertainty.

Many of our pre-pandemic activities seem to be a thing of the past now. Chatting with friends and sharing an entrée at a restaurant, attending crowd pack concert, sweating in a gym class and dancing in a wedding reception are all history. For the foreseeable future, these happenings are almost unthinkable now, and it isn’t clear when and if they are going return, even as things begin to reopen.

Home study and work-from-home culture are the new norm around the globe and people are now taking more precautions than ever when it comes to their health. Though travel restrictions are being lifted, many people are still anxious to get out and hit the road for any kind of vacation or travel. Nearly everyone in social media expressed their worry and their longing to feel a sense of safety and normalcy again.

The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened uncertainty over the economy, employment, finances, and relationships including people’s physical and mental health.













 

While it is true that the pandemic have changed us, it has also serve as an eye opener. The world has slowed so we can rediscover ourselves and our purpose in life. I would like to think that the virus humbled us. It put humanity to its knees and ask God for his saving grace.   Everything can change in a blink of an eye so let us not forget to thank God for each day as we slowly rebuild our lives.

We have 4 months to go before 2020 ends. Let us make each day count. When this ends, I hope we would be a better person because we have seen the worst.

Just a friendly reminder- don’t forget to wear face masks. They are the ultimate must-have accessory of 2020 and maybe for 2021 too. The face mask is the fashion trend we didn’t see coming, and whether we like it or not, they’re here to stay for a while—so we might as well find ways to wear them that make these masks feel like a fashion statement. 










 

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

MUSEUMS




One of my favorite things to do on weekends is to visit museums. I love the long, romantic walks at the museum. I have this penchant for history and artifacts. In my point of view, museums are like portals to the past that gives remarkable insight of our present and fresh perspective of our future. By way of housing massive collection of artifacts and rare things of historical interest, museums convey multilayered stories that inspire us and allow us to see things differently, and eventually help us in gaining life lessons through what we see, read, and experience. 

Ecstatic with the news today, the National Museum of the Philippines made an announcement on its official social media account that they are throwing their doors open for all visitors. 


Isn’t that amazing?!  No one needs to pay as admission will be permanently free of charge. With this, allow me share the snippets of my visit at the museum. 


Works of National Artist Guillermo E. Tolentino. He is a Filipino Sculptor in the 1920s to 1970s. Oblation Statue of the University of the Philippines and Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City are his famous sculptures.













An altar piece from the Church of San Nicolas de Tolentino in Dimiao, Bohol, one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. The National Museum features religious arts from the 17th to 19th century.




Sketches drawn by the first National Artist of the Philippines, Fernando C. Amorsolo (1982-1972). Amorsolo is known for oil paintings of rural life.






 Cubist painting by Vicent S. Manansala






Paintings by Abstractionist and National Artist Jose T. Joya (1931-1995)










 Works of master sculptor Isabelo L. Tampinco 





 Works of Cesar Amorsolo





Interesting Artworks























Spoliarium by Juan Luna. It is one of the famous paintings in the Philippines. It was  made in 1884 as an entry to the prestigious Exposicion de Bellas Artes (Madrid Art Exposition, May 1884) where it won the First Gold Medal.This painting is displayed at the Old House of Representatives Session Hall in National Museum







I just hope that museums in the Philippines have cafés where you can drink coffee while critically analyzing the connection between the spoliarium and the selfie you’ve just taken in front of it.  



The National Museum is open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Admission is free. It is located in Padre Burgos Avenue, Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila. Enjoy!