Press Release

Unveiling of the Paintings “Cry of Balintawak” and “Harvest”

2023-01-16

PRESS RELEASE NO. 2023-04

16 January 2023, Toronto – Consul General Orontes V. Castro led the inauguration and ribbon cutting of the paintings, “Cry of Balintawak” and “Harvest” held at the Consulate General on 06 October 2022.

In his opening remarks, Consul General Castro shared a quote from the letter of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to Artists in 1999 “To all who are passionately dedicated to the search for new “epiphanies” of beauty so that through their creative work as artists they may offer these as gifts to the world”.

The first part of the program was the signing of the Deed of Donation of the painting ‘Harvest” by its donor, Mrs. Teresita F. Meneses of the Scarborough Ontario Seniors Association (SOSA), and Consul General Castro; and followed by the ribbon cutting. The highlight was the unveiling of the painting “Cry of Balintawak” donated by the President of Philippine Heritage Band (PHB), Ms. Aurelia de Lara.

These paintings will be part of the permanent collection of the Consulate Generals’ Sentro Rizal currently displayed at the Conference Room and available for viewing by the public.

The guests of honor during the ceremony were Honourable Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament (MPP) Daisy Wai and Mr. Albert Wai; Honourable Member of the Provincial Parliament (MPP) Dolly Begum; Consul General Dyah Lestari Asmarani of the Republic of Indonesia, and Dr. Philip Kelly of the Department of Geography, York University. Also present were leaders and members of the FilipinoCanadian Community organizations.

Honourable MPP Begum awarded a certificate of recognition to the two (2) donors, Mesdames de Lara and Meneses for their generosity of donating the paintings. Consul General Castro gave the guests of honor framed copies of the painting “Cry of Balintawak” as token of appreciation.

The guests were serenaded by the musical performances of the pianist Mr. Ron Adea and the lead singer Ms. Rawan Tuffaha. END

CHLOE KENNEDY ANNE ISLETA — (L-R) Consul General Orontes V. Castro delivering his opening remarks during the inauguration and ribbon cutting of the paintings “Cry of Balintawak” and “Harvest”; The Signing of the Deed of the Donation by Ms. Teresita F. Meneses and Consul General Castro as part o f the program. Members of the Filipino-Canadian Community stand as witnesses.

Consul General Orontes V. Castro gave the guests of honor framed copies of the painting “Cry of Balintawak” as token of appreciation

(Left photo) Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament (MPP) Dolly Begum awarded a Certificate of Recognition to the two (2) donors of the Paintings for their generosity. (Right photo) Mr. Ron Adea and Ms. Rawan Tuffaha serenaded the guests with their musical performances.

(Left to Right photo) Consul General Orontes V. Castro with the Guests of Honor: Indonesian Consul General Dyah Lestari Asmarani, Member of Ontario Provincial Parliament MPP Doly Begum, MPP Daisy Wai and Mr. Albert Wai during the unveiling of the two (2) paintings on 06 October 2022.

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