Pagka-pinay "being Filipino" at Global M.A.D.E. Gallery 120

The Philippines works are up on the wall at Global M.A.D.E. Gallery 120 in my hometown community.  Printed photographs of the four, Estudio Damgo projects were among paintings I created while living in the Philippines for over 2 years.  It brings me great joy to share my experiences abroad with people from my childhood who came out to the art opening.  Read more at: A + w o r k s

Sustaining Communities Through Design-Build Education

Receiving my Fulbright certificate at the Philippine-American Educational Foundation holiday party on December 17, 2015. - Photo by Hersley-Ven Casero

My five months as a Fulbright scholar and consulting architect for Foundation University's design-build program has flown by!  From August - December 2015 I teamed up with ma'am Geraldine Quinones the director of research and community extension to research the first three Estudio Damgo community projects: Dungga daycare, multipurpose hall, and the floating guardhouse.  I used this research to institutionalize the design-build program by creating an advisory committee made up of department heads, faculty, and Estudio Damgo alumni.  As a committee we created guidelines for the program and future projects.  You can read about my experiences in the feature article in Dumaguete City's Metropost, "Sustaining communities thru design-build education".

It's already February 2016 and just over two weeks after I returned to the Midwest to establish my career back home.  As my time was winding down with the Fulbright in the Philippines last month, we had a tragic loss of a Foundation University colleague and friend, Phil Prins.  His death hit the university hard.  Being a close friend, I was engrossed in grieving his death for several weeks with the Filipino community at the end of my stay.  Although my time in the Philippines on the Fulbright has been the shortest since I have been involved in Estudio Damgo, these past months I felt more deeply rooted because of these human experiences.  The mother of Phil Prins said it best regarding grief and funerals,

"Filipinos do it right, they communicate and come together to support the grieving process.  They spend time with the deceased body at all hours of the day, never leaving it alone. They play games, share stories, and they talk about it over many days.  American's have formal funeral gatherings that are limited to specific times, and we don't talk about it, instead we go off on our own to grieve alone." - Kay Prins

She reflected on the journey to the Philippines for her son's funeral, and feels she has gained a family abroad.  It was an unexpected blessing to cope with the Filipino community in her state of grief.  Phil's death opened me to a whole new understanding about life, death, and grief through the heart of another culture.  I am grateful to have been able to authentically participate and cope in a different way, even though it was a culture shock for me to spend so many hours connected with so many people, to share and play games, I eventually found the benefit of going through the pain and loss with everyone.  I was able to make peace over those few weeks and it was a natural process to let go and find some resolution in Phil's death.  And through Phil's death, I was able to connect with nearly everyone I know in Dumaguete City linked with Foundation University before returning to the States.  For me it was a reunion.

As I reflect on those experiences while building my practice in community and public interest design,  I've learned that being part of a community takes time.  Strong communities naturally stem from strong family roots and connections.  You must share in the joys of life by being present at births, weddings, and celebrations and grieve alongside one another during a time of loss.  Being integrated fully means you participate at a human scale with human emotions attached.  For me, it's a good indication of how deeply rooted I am in a community, is whether I've shared in human events like births, weddings, and funerals.  I've lived many places in the United States and prior to the Philippines I had not felt as fully integrated into American communities for the lack of family connections, as I had in the Philippines.  Over the past three years, I've felt welcomed and embraced by Dumaguete City and Foundation University - and most certainly *been "daggit" by the "city of gentle people".

* been "daggit" is a Visayan saying: when someone traveling from outside of Dumaguete City stays for a long time, usually longer than they had originally planned, and eventually make it their home. 

CHROMATEXT Rebooted

Pictured with Filipino national artist, BenCab and Hersley-Ven Casero at CHROMATEXT Rebooted art opening. - Photo courtesy of Hersley Casero and Annabelle Lee Adriano

On Friday November 6, I attended the opening for "CHROMATEXT Rebooted" at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in Manila with Hersley-Ven Casero.  Curated by Jean Marie Syjuco and Krip Yuson, "CHROMATEXT Rebooted" is a revival show from 2007, themed around visual representations tied to literature.  Joining 130 artists from the Philippines, the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Singapore, featured a mix of collaborations between visual artists and writers.  Highlights include: rubbing elbows with renowned national artists, like BenCab and guest of honor, Cirilo F. Bautista; the live dance and percussion performance by Agnes Arellano and Billy Bonnevie; and the jazzy, spoken word acknowledgements by Krip Yuson.  Hersley was one of the few artists to represent Dumaguete among Kitty Taniguchi, Annabelle Lee Adriano, and Elle Divine.    This evening marked a pivotal moment in Hersley's art career, not everyone gets the opportunity to show at the CCP, especially those lying outside the Manila arts network.  This was Hersley's first time, which bodes well for his career and for the province.  Hersley exhibited current works from his Stone series, which stood out for their minimal quality and meticulous detail.  The curator's daughter hand-picked Hersley's Stones and placed them next to her artwork because she liked them so much.  The art opening was a refreshing way to travel outside of Dumaguete for a memorable night of art appreciation.  It was an honor to attend and be around the talented group of artists.

CHROMATEXT Rebooted runs through January 17, 2016. 

Read the post in PhilStar 

"Setting Up 'CHROMATEXT Rebooted'"

 by 

Krip Yuson

Standing next to Hersley-Ven Casero's artworks from his Stone series.  Hersley's series is inspired by the semi-precious stones I brought from the U.S. as gifts for Filipino friends. - Photo courtesy of Hersley Casero and Annabelle Lee Adriano

Pictured with Annabelle Lee Adriano and other art patrons. - Photo courtesy of Hersley Casero

Ribbon cutting with guest of honor, national artist Cirilo F. Bautista and BenCab. - Photo courtesy of Hersley Casero

One of the many collaborations featuring visual artists and writers.

Performing artist, Billy Bonnevie, was an opening highlight. - Photo courtesy of Hersley Casero

Interior view of the Cultural Center of the Philippines art venue.

Panaghiusa Multipurpose Visit

Core Shelter residents honor the death of a community member by playing games, eating food, and sharing stories at the multipurpose hall.

Each time I visit Core Shelter community and the multipurpose hall, I learn something new.  Today, I happened to witness an unexpected event.  Foundation U. workers and I were visiting Core Shelter to assess the building condition for maintenance and improvements.  As we approached the community,  residents were gathered at the steps of the multipurpose, playing bingo and eating food.  It appeared as if we stumbled upon a fiesta celebration of sorts.  I soon came to realize after speaking with ma'am Johna David, that two elderly women had passed away within a weeks time of each other, and the residents were using the multipurpose to hold the wake and funeral services.

It is Filipino tradition to honor the death of a loved one by hosting a wake at the family's home.  The casket is typically placed inside the home where family and friends can commune and visit day and night.  Funeral wakes and visitations can last up to two weeks.  They believe in celebrating their life, by playing games and sharing food and conversation while also comforting family members, so that they are not alone.  It is a time of celebration and in this case, Core Shelter homes are very small and it would be cumbersome to have a casket inside the home for so many days.  The multipurpose hall is suited for the residents, friends, and families who will visit over an extended period of time.  The building design is open to receive many visitors, at all hours, without compromising the family's domestic life.  It's great to know that the building has served so many uses for very special occasions.

Funeral casket placed inside the multipurpose.

Foundation worker climbs the ladder to patch a hole in the gutter while the funeral wake activities pursue.

Anna Koosmann (myself) pictured with Johna David.

Buglasan Festival

Buglasan Festival parade and street performance.

Returning back to the Philippines after spending a week in Bali, we were able to catch the parade and fireworks display for the annual Buglasan Festival.   Each year, Dumaguete hosts this annual event bringing together the municipalities that make up Negros Oriental.  The province is the center of agriculture and one of the largest sugar cane growers in the Central Vasayas.  People travel from remote villages, from mountain and seashore, to represent their community.  Each municipality designs their costumes for a winning street dance competition.  Each town incorporates their distinct food or product that represents their community in colorful costume display.   Crowds line the streets to get a good view of these marching performers.  It's quite a show!

This year's winner for best street performance, Sandurot Festival of Dumaguete City.  Dancers with crabs on their backs and open hoop skirts, as crab pots, represents Dumaguete as a fishing port community.

Bright orange and green seahorses were seen bouncing down the streets.

Sea urchins, all in a line, proudly showing their spikes.

Glittery costumes, dance around in the afternoon golden light.

And what better way to end a three-day festival other than with a fireworks display?  Like the street performances, the fireworks shows competed for a grand prize.  An interesting way to get a line up of fireworks display, where the community benefits and the city doesn't have to pay.  For two nights, four separate displays lit the sky on Saturday and Sunday, marking the grand finale to the annual Buglasan Festival, over Dumaguete City's port.

The first batch of fireworks on Saturday night along the Boulevard.

Last batch of fireworks on Sunday night over the port.

Semester Break in Bali, Indonesia

Two Balinese women en route with offerings for a traditional ceremony in Ubud, Bali's cultural center.

For a week, Hersley and I traveled to Bali, Indonesia during Foundation University's semester break.  Finding time to relax and explore another part of Southeast Asia was enriching for both of us.  My interest in Bali perked after seeing Elora Hardy's (founder of Ibuku) inspiring TED talk, "Magical Houses, Made of Bamboo", highlighting their progressive structures and sustainable methods in sourcing, treating and building with bamboo.  Being so close to Bali in the Philippines, I made it a point to see Ibuku's facilities in person with the interest of bringing that knowledge back to FU's architecture program, and a chance to meet Ms. Hardy in person.  The latter never happened, but I was able to take a tour of the facilities, including; Ibuku's bamboo factory and two, Green Village homes.  Unfortunately, no photographs were permitted during the factory tour, nor one of the village homes.  However, you can view their professional photos online at: ibuku.com.  

Looking through the circular entry door at Ibuku's central office and visitor's center.

Looking up at a village home interior, features a curvaceous roof and spiral stair.

Looking up inside the spiral stair.

Looking up at a bamboo pendent light fixture.

Green Village inspired our trip, but after discovering Bali's vibrant culture and rituals, our short visit exceeded our expectations. We saw a lot in six days.  Highlights include: exploring Ubud, the cultural center of Bali; attending the Negara Makepung (water buffalo) races; witnessing the annual ceremony at Rambat Siwi Temple; and catching waves in the Indian Ocean.  After absorbing all these events and vibrant places, Bali lingers in my memory on all five senses.  The sights, tastes, smells, textures, and sounds are magical; they stimulate your mind and soul into a transcendent state. I never anticipated to experience a place quite like this, where 80% of the Balinese people authentically practice daily prayers of Hindu origin.  It is common among the Balinese to offer blessings in form of flowers and incense, for all human kind to stay healthy, protected, and prosperous.   These rituals set the tone and permeate throughout Bali and they manifest into a seemingly more peaceful and harmonious lifestyle.  It inspires me to incorporate more beauty and rituals into my life, and generate a positive mindset on a daily basis.

Ubud Traditional Market

Residential entry gateway.  Traditional Balinese homes are designed as an open-air complex; defined by a perimeter wall which clearly separates the public and private spaces to create sacred space.  Balinese people view their homes as temples.

The woman features traditional markings of crushed rice on her forehead and a flower tucked behind the ear.  They are symbols of blessings which are placed after a daily prayer.

Fresh flowers, like hibiscus, are common to see placed on statues and small temples at all corners of the city.  The flowers are a symbol of blessing for the place.

Ubud Palace, a historic place to catch nightly, traditional Balinese performances.

Ubud Palace traditional Balinese performer.

Negara Makepung (water buffalo) races.  The buffalo handler waiting to race.

Thousands from the Negara region assemble along the well-worn path, set in open rice fields, to view the Makepung races.

Charioteer and buffalo racing in action.

Buffalo racing towards a dusty finish.  The winner is determined after two rounds of racing for the shortest time.

Rambat Siwi Temple annual ceremony.  We were very lucky that our hired driver directed us to this ceremony.  There were no other tourists here at this three-day event celebrated only once in a Balinese calendar year, and at only six temples throughout Bali.  This temple was located on the Indian Ocean cliff shoreline.

A grandmother and her grandchildren, playfully posing for a picture.  The girl in yellow, second from the left, was ecstatic upon seeing me (a white American), as if she met a celebrity. Many who made a pilgrim to this temple, came from remote regions, which may have provoked a strong reaction from this young girl.

Xylophones and bells ring a delightful melody throughout the temple complex.  Traditionally, men play the instruments and women perform a dance.  It is uncommon to see a predominant-woman band, like in this image at Rambat Siwi Temple.

The sacred water at Holy Spring Temple in Ubud.

People line up to purify their physical and spiritual well being.

A wall of curling, white waves crashing behind me at Seminyak beach. My first time to dip my toes into the Indian Ocean.  Photo courtesy of Hersley Casero.

Surfing is popular on the West side of Bali and the open waters of the Indian Ocean.

A clean, sandy beach stretches on for miles in Seminyak.

The famous Tanah Lot Temple at dusk during low tide.  One of the top ten tourist destinations of Bali.