I landed on Bohol Island, Philippines last Sunday morning. This is my first stop before I head to Manila before the Heavy Hitterz Exhibit opens.
This land is one of teal, cobalt blue, and red. It is one of flavorful foods, hundreds of old open-air Catholic churches, the lingering smell of burning wood, and a cacophony of free range roosters young and old singing to the rising sun of the day. Mike Boo has family here, and Sir Pepe and Lina Ong, have made every effort to ensure our every comfort, and to help us feel at home, but each day looking over the high walls surrounding our place, and walking through the small towns here, I realize I am very different than the people of Bohol.
After coming to the Philippines, and seeing Baclayon Catholic Church, the oldest church in the 7,000 Philippine Islands, I am reminded of the Filipino painter, Manuel Ocampo. Now, I have, at least, some understanding of his history, of what might have gone into his work. To me, I see many great things about both countries, and I stand with my feet firmly planted and trying to extract the best of all worlds.
There is a richness in the people of the Philippines that I have never seen before. They gather together for every meal. They share in laughter over simple things, because here, there is rarely internet, there are “brown outs” not “black outs” for hours at a time; there are no televisions to distract us, except for the privileged enough to own one. Here people delight in family, god, and watching dozens of children swimming amongst the calm ocean waters, and taking naps on top of the seats of their scooters. I’m far away from the cry of the fog horns of the city of San Francisco and am so thankful for this experience that has come my way.
I think most important to mention is that this Island of Bohol, and perhaps all the islands here that have a long history with Spanish culture that I could never mimic nor pretend to know for more than what I can. Here, I am on the outside looking in. I am adept enough to know though, that this place has a spiritual essence to it that speaks of hundreds of years of island culture, Catholicism, and Spanish mixed with Chinese influences. People pause in shopping stores at 6pm for a quick prayer, they go to church every morning come rain or shine. They are people of God here, people of tradition, and they are all very proud of their culture.
Over the next few days, I’ll start sketching out some new paintings, and taking more pictures. I’m hoping to get some good imagery of the hundreds of lazy island dogs, the wild goat, colorful chickens, and cow. I’d also like to get some shots of the old Spanish architecture as well if I am so lucky. There is little if any graffiti here, but next week Mike Boo and I head to Manila to get ready for the Heavy Hitterz Exhibit. I’m hopeful to get some good shots of street art there and to see if there is any semblance of lowbrow or pop surrealism taking hold.
Some flix of food we're eating....
OUR HOST - PEPE ONG
Guy rollerblading at the supermarket.
