With the more than successful Flea Market weekend of Oct. 23-24, 2021, and the enthusiastic response to their Tertulia de Memoria of October 30, the Palacio de Memoria on Roxas Boulevard is well on its way to setting the gold standard for how interesting and safe outdoor, physical events can be held in the middle of Alert Level #3. If the Flea Market was about great quality buys of artisanal crafts and home furnishings, the Tertulia de Memoria was all about creating an exchange and discourse of ideas that had to do with our Arts, Literature, Architecture, and Culture.
And what a venue the Palacio is turning out to be. Idyllic, like something out of a colonial time- warp, but conveniently located on the sprawling grounds of an estate of Old World taste and charm. It’s a property that the Lhullier family have converted to a destination where one can head to the museum, the garden, dine at the Loggia (where Margarita Forés handles the kitchen), and just while away the day with good company and conducive ambiance.
Last weekend’s Tertulia was really packed with relevant information, and a rundown of the Zoom seminar speakers will give you an inkling of the potent brain trust put together to provide provocative insight and learned views.
First up, there was Ivan Man Dy, the founder of Old Manila Walks, and his presentation revolved around Advocating Art Deco: Celebrating 1930s Design Heritage in the 21st Century. This was a wonderful marriage of the Past and our heritage, made relevant for today and our tomorrow.
For those who feel we’ve been systematically destroying the wonderful architecture and buildings of the past, this was an excursion into what could still be done, and a framework for the aesthetics of our future.
Marianne Claire Vitug, the executive director of the San Sebastián Basilica Conservation and Development Foundation, Inc. spoke on Para Sa Ina: Efforts to Save San Sebastián Basilica. Completed in 1891, this all-metal (but painted to look like stone) Neo-Gothic structure sits in Quiapo, Manila, and has been the subject of controversy, as it’s vying to be a UNESCO heritage site, and the construction of a 31-story condominium right behind the Basilica imperils that accreditation and designation, as the settings of the church will be compromised.
Gerard Lico, Phd, and architectural critic and art historian, gave a talk about Philippine Architecture: Tropicalizing Modernism. This was interesting as we’ve often looked to the West for new trends and ideas, but the fact remains that these trends and ideas can’t just be applied to our tropical clime without some acclimatizing and modification. Dr. Licad spoke about this and made the case for how Modernism is quite adaptable.
“Sagip Pelikula in the Age of COVID” was the final talk of the day, presented by Leo Katigbak, the head of ABS-CBN Film Restoration. Leo has always been an interesting speaker because he’s so committed and enthusiastic about his “mission vision” of seeing Philippine Cinema being recognized for the cultural treasure it is, and how it’s the one that transcends social-economic classes and can be enjoyed by all. How the Film Industry is surviving, and continues to thrive in this time of COVID was his enthralling topic.
And it segued quite wonderfully to a screening of the 1959 film, “Biyaya Ng Lupa,” directed by Manuel Silos. A FAMAS Best Picture, it was also nominated for the Golden Bear as Best Film at the Berlin International Festival of 1960. A melodrama about a young family living in the countryside in a lanzones orchard, and the hardships and misfortunes that befall them.
If you missed the Tertulia, know that there’s a Flea Market on Nov. 6 to 7 (both are brought to us by a host of sponsors led by Smart Infinity); and it promises to be even more exciting than the one held in October, with great buys and interesting pieces up for sale. Plus you can’t beat the great food of Margarita Fores at the Loggia. Palacio de Memoria, see you this coming weekend!