French connection
‘Diamond in the Rough’ opens at the Pintô Art Museum in Antipolo to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and our friendly relations with France
On June 26, 1947, French Minister of Foreign Affairs Georges Bidault and Philippine Vice-president and Foreign Affairs secretary Elpidio Quirino signed the Treaty of Amity between France and the Philippines in Paris.
President Manual A. Roxas, in his third State of the Nation Address, reported this development in January 1948: “It is most gratifying for me to report that our Republic, so recently inaugurated, now counts upon the actual or implied recognition of more than 50 nations. And we are enjoying the friendship of all of them. We have already concluded treaties of amity with the United States of America, China, France, Italy, and Spain, and have signed 27 other treaties and agreements with different countries.”
Over the succeeding decades, the friendly relations between the two states increasingly grew, culminating in France being the first to acknowledge the Aquino government in 1986. In a rare but significant gesture, the Republic of France invited then President Corazon C. Aquino as state guest during the bicentennial of French independence in July 1989.
Helena Carratala recalls meeting the young Jean-Paul Gaultier in Manila in the 1970s. ‘Jean-Paul was young, provincial, and quite conservative,’ she says. ‘He came over to our place in Wac Wack often for meals.’
Tens of thousands of Filipinos work in France at present, strengthening the ties that bind the two countries, just as French companies improve trade and commercial relations. In the field of art, many Filipinos studied in France, beginning with the Ilustrados Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo in the last years of the 19th century, followed by Macario Vitalis in the early decades of the 20th century, Nena Saguil, a younger artists who followed in their footsteps.
The 75th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity is an opportunity for further enhancing and improving our mutual progress.
Titled “Diamond in the Rough,” the exhibition includes visual arts, videos, fashion, jewelry, among others. A dress designed by Helena Carratala is also featured. Recalling meeting the young Jean-Paul Gaultier in Manila in the 1970s, Helena says, “Jean-Paul was young, provincial, and quite conservative. He came over to our place in Wack-Wack often for meals. He taught me the basics of design and fashion, and for that I am eternally grateful.”
The exhibition will be open to the public beginning June 28.