This Week in Arts & Culture
Visual Arts

Progress, acrylic on canvas
Nova Gallery presents a two-man exhibition by Jo Ocampo and Eko entitled “Reconnect.” The exhibition tackles the issue of environmental awareness and how it affects human beings and nature all together, hoping to solve this problem and being able to return and preserve the beauty of nature. Jo Ocampo’s paintings are represented by the elements of a lighthouse, whales, and trees. The lighthouse signifies awareness and hope while the whales and red branches show that it continues to live even if it takes time to cope up with the problems that kills the ecosystem. Meanwhile, Eko’s works were represented by a character wearing a wooden mask. This symbol indicates as a protector of nature hiding and preserving what’s left. The cracks signify that it’s still living, fighting, and surviving its way through the environmental changes.
Exhibit is open until April 1; Warehouse 12 A La Fuerza Plaza Compound,Don Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City
Culture
Cultural, arts, entertainment, sports and culinary contingents from Rizal Province led the three-part opening ceremony at the Philippine Tourism Showroom featuring the CALABARZON region (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon provinces).
Provincial and municipal officers and tourism officials took the lead during the ceremony at the Department of Tourism building which showcased tourism destinations, community-based crafts, cuisine, talents, and cultural performances celebrating the region.
According to Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo, this region, which was formally known as Southern Tagalog mainland, continue to receive millions of same-day visitors and overnight tourists. These five huge provinces are individually and equally competitive in the tourism market as each province boasts of really unique, singularly formidable and strong attributes as a tourist destination.
In between, the Samahan ng mga Rizaleno sa Sector ng Agrikultura at Pagkain, Inc. (SARAP) served the audience with gastronomic specialties like home-prepared kalamay, bukayo, pineapple slices, kangkong (water spinach) salad, adobong itik, embutido, organic upland rice, Dragon Fruit wine, and other local products on sale.
Tags: culture, exhibit, Manila Bulletin, mb.com.ph, Nova Gallery, This week in arts & culture, Visual Arts