Erehwon Center for the Arts welcomes Marat Pavlov, ambassador to the Philippines of the Russian Federation, and his wife, Madame Irina Pavlova

Erehwon Center for the Arts started the year on a cultural note with a festive Russian Cultural Night with no less than the Ambassador to the Philippines of the Russian Federation Marat Pavlov and his wife, Madame Irina Pavlov, as guests of honor, along with cultural attache Nina Prakapovich. 

This is the second time for Erehwon to host Russian officials.  The last time was in December 2017, when Vladivostok-based dancers VIKHR performed at Erehwon.  This year, Erehwon reciprocated this gesture of hospitality through a cultural night focused on Russian songs and dancers performed by Filipino talents.

In his welcome remarks, Erehwon Art Foundation president Jesus Varela said that, during this time of pandemic, Erehwon would double its objectives to promote the arts, as human creative skills and imagination should never be hampered. The center is honored to have had, as its special guests, diplomats from the nation that has been recognized as a foremost proponent and pillar in the world of arts.

Erehwon has been dubbed as the cultural center for the masses, which has participated in cultural exchanges for many of its artists, and hosted those from other countries as well. 

Music is universal, and promoting diplomacy through music and arts is the best way to establish cultural relations.

In his response, Ambassador Pavlov observed that events like this were opportunities to let us know the richness of our culture. It is an admission that music is universal, and that promoting diplomacy through music and arts is the best way to establish cultural relations. It’s a great sign of human respect and admiration.

This cross-cultural event, held on Dec. 28 also marked the 30th year since the Philippines formally recognized the Russian Federation in its bilateral agreements. The Philippines and the Russian Federation have since enjoyed cordial and expanding relations.

The visit of the honorable ambassador was an opportunity to show off the talents of the Erehwon Arts Council members in music and dance, as well as an occasion to show its artworks on permanent display at its galleries.

Guests included Dr. Milton Amayun, president of the Yuchengco Center; Chris Millado, artistic director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines; June Dalisay, art restorer and Erehwon co-founder; Erehwon trustee Jasper Viloria who is also Rockspeed managing director; Samuel Torres, corporate secretary of the Yuchengco Group; former budget undersecretary Agnes Bailen; and sculptor Al Giroy.

The event started off with the rendering of the national anthem of the Philippines, “Lupang Hinirang,” and the state anthem of the Russian Federation, “Gosudarstvenny Gimn Rossiyskoy Federatsii,” by the Erehwon Youth Rondalla, who also played Korobeiniki, a 19th century Russian folk song that tells the story of a meeting between a peddler and a girl, describing their haggling over goods in a metaphor for courtship.

It was followed by the rousing performance of the tinikling, with guest participation and the La Jota Moncadenia, by the Erehwon Dance Company.

The PASIPO Vocal Ensemble, a Philippine operatic group of tenors and sopranos, completed the serenade of Russian songs.