Foundation News

A Cultural Study Tour with Mr. Ino Manalo
October 6, 2007, 6:30 am - 8:00 pm
Max. of 50 participants only
Fee: P1,900 for members, P2,200 for non-members (50% down payment necessary)
Contact: 404-2685/ 0928-503-9392/ 722-9073

Laguna de Bay is one of the important heartlands of Tagalog culture. It is the largest lake in the Philippines which nurtures a necklace of towns rich traditional architecture, arts, rituals and food. A trip around the lake (whose name means, the lake of the mother) is a journey into some of the sacred and germinal spaces of Philippine culture.

Itinerary

» 6:30 am
Meet at the parking lot of Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati

» 7:00 am
Depart for Laguna de Bay

» 9:00am – 9:30
We arrive at the town of MORONG to see the Baroque façade of the Morong Church as well as some of its 18th century interior furnishings. Among the sights are a magnificent set of Via Crucis - or Ways of the Cross- possibly dating to the 19th century as well as a painting by National Artist Carlos V. Francisco. We may also have a chance to see traditional arko makers who whittle intricate festival arches out of bamboo.

» 10:30 am – 11:00 am
In the town of TANAY we will see the splendid gold & blue 18th century rococo interiors of San Ildefonso Church including the magnificent pieta which is a metaphor for the great lake of the mother itself.

There is also another set of Via Crucis dating from the 18th century whose interesting vignettes provide provocative insights into the Filipino psyche.

Then, we cross the mountains where we will be treated to more views of the Lake before reaching the town of Paete where we break for lunch.

» 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Lunch features a traditional menu made up of such local delights as: Ninanok na Talong, eggplant cooked with roasted coconut sauce; Bibingkang Hipon, a kind of shrimp-flavored soufflé; Ukoy which is fried shrimp patties; Bulanglang a fresh vegetable stew; and a salad of white cheese and forest ferns. We will also witness a performance of local dances.

» 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
The town of Paete is famous for its crafts such as wood carving, bakya-making and paper-mâché. If possible, we will visit one of the last bakya workshops in the town as well as the studios of local artists.

Among the highlights of a visit to Paete is the 18th century church of St. James the Great with its intricately carved façade, florid retablos, and four monumental paintings which include the 18th century Juicio Final. We will also visit a private home to see the chapel of the Virgin of Sorrows with its marionette apparatus and changeable heads.

» 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm
Finally, in the next town of Pakil, we will visit the 18th century Pakil church which again has beautiful retablos and an amazing plague crucifix with remarkable chrysanthemum-like blood stains. Also in Pakil is the studio museum of painter Danny Dalena whose works played on with the interaction between the sacred and profane as illustrated by town life.

We will also hope to become acquainted with the spring of the virgin to understand the connection between religion and nature in the Philippine setting.

» 4:15 pm – 5:00 pm
The tour ends with a snack of ice-cold kesong puti served with a surprise twist along the banks of the Lumban river. Other possible stops include the piña-embroiders, slipper-makers, native kakanin vendors and traditional softwood whittlers.

» 5:15 pm – 6:00 pm
We will travel to Pagsanjan to shop for pasalubong. One additional stop is the Garden of Ernest Santiago.

» 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Travel back to Santuario de San Antonio, Makati.

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Dear Members and Friends,

The Museum Foundation will do its best to keep to the schedule. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be back on time due to traffic and other unpredictable delays. To fully enjoy the experience please try to keep a flexible evening schedule.

We are fortunate to have as our tour director and lecturer Mr. Ino Manalo, the former director of the Metropolitan Museum and an advocate of Philippine culture.

Please note that none of the tour organizers or coordinators receives commissions from the establishments visited on this trip. Some things may be cancelled due to unavailability or lack of time.

To reserve, please download (pdf, zipped pdf) and fill up the reservation form and fax it to 404-2685.

Thank you.

Museum Foundation

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