Maniolas

In this photo taken Feb. 25, 2014 by surveillance planes and released Thursday, May 15, 2014, by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, a Chinese vessel, top center, is used to expand structures and land on the Johnson Reef, called Mabini by the Philippines and Chigua by China, at the Spratly Islands at South China Sea, Philippines. The Philippines has protested China’s reclamation of land in the disputed reef in the South China Sea that can be used to build an airstrip or an offshore military base in the increasingly volatile region, the country’s top diplomat and other officials said Wednesday, May 14, 2014. The white arrow was added by the source. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The recent note verbale from the Philippines to Malaysia on the issue of the extended continental shelf (ECS) in the South China Sea is part of the two neighbors’ “friendly bilateral relations” and does not in any way include the Sabah issue, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday. The DFA comment was sought on a story that the note verbale, transmitted to visiting Malaysian Defense Minister Dato Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, amounted to a quid pro quo — Manila backpedals on its Sabah claim if Kuala Lumpur manifests before a UN body an ECS definition favoring the former’s Spratlys case against China. DFA spokesman Charles Jose’s statement was shared with reporters by Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda. “The Philippines has excellent relations with Malaysia in the context of our friendly bilateral relations. Our Read More …

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Demetrio Dela Cruz’s “Stations of The Cross” paintings at The Pinto Museum, Antipolo City until April 23 MANILA, Philippines – In the coming Lenten season, artist Demetrio Dela Cruz finds it time again to reflect on the meanings of Lent and how they impact on the Filipino museumgoer and lover of art. The Pinto Museum under Dr. Joven Cuanang in Grand Heights Subdivision in Antipolo City presents an exhibit on view until April 23, with the show installed and stationed on museum grounds. His present show at Pinto Gallery, titled “Offering,” demonstrates a fresh burst of artistic vigor inspired by the Lenten season, memorable to all Filipinos. But unlike most artists who convey their message only through two-dimensional paintings in oil or acrylic, Demetrio adds another new and distinguishing element: that of three-dimensionality. Now this factor is important indeed, because the secret of art is the ability to invent, use and explore various media, not only for itself, but most of all, to convey meaning. Indeed, the medium and the meaning have a basic relationship that can be quite complex and challenging. And while the artist may have a body of spiritual meaning or meanings in mind, he or she needs to explore and choose the medium that best conveys this complexity of meanings. And, as in the case of Demetrio Dela Cruz, he invents the medium (or media) with which to best communicate his set of ideas. It is this aspect that sets Demetrio above the rest. For the Read More …