Hispanic/Filipino Heritage : Art Show Roots Exhibition

The City of South San Francisco and the Cultural Arts Commission have an Art Show “Explore Your Roots” at new Gallery at the Library /Parks and Recreation Center ,3rd floor , 901 Campus Way, October 11 to October 25. There was reception on the first evening of the exhibition and Marianna’s Mexican Folklorico Dance.

October is Filipino Heritage Month while the Hispanic Latino was from Sep 15, 2024 – Tue, Oct 15, 2024. For several years, only the Dia De los Muertos exhibition was held for October. It’s nice to know the Commission has decided to include other heritages to be on display.

Evangelina Portillo as always has her Day of the Dead Altar with pieces Las Tortillas, Esperando A Papa, El Canto. I met Evangelina last June at San Mateo County Fair showing attendees how to make sugar skull.

Other heritages were on display like Chinese, Vietnam, Ireland, Indian, Mesopotamia, Babylon.
Since I don’t know the story behind the roots of their heritage, the artists can explain their stories with their own post or social media blogs.

What I know is Filipino heritage. Here are samples:
Mercedes Gharechedaghy ‘Mano Po’ shares the value of Respect for the Elders. Younger folks, say “Mano po” by placing the hand of an elder relative on their forehead to get a blessing. The elder respects by saying “Pagpalain ka ng May Kapal”(God Bless you). The most popular bachelor Sean Lowe in ABC “The Bachelor” on his hometown visit was advised by Catherine Giudici to say “Mano Po” to her lola(grandmother), and how to cook lumpia. So far the Lowes are still married with three children after the show; oh, the power of a blessing.

Art is a showcase of visual ‘culture’ or roots of a heritage.
Jamie Rey, Harana of the Mariposas “Serenade of the Dancing Butterflies”, displays butterflies dancing on dried florals with a backdrop of a fan used as a communication accessory for courtships. Cleopatra Rey displayed Filipino apothecary in different tubes on a rack.

The author has a painting of Sampaguita, the Philippines National Flower, with a vertical ancient Baybayin calligraphy script. The white flower , a symbol of purity and faithfulness is based on a tragic love story “Sumpa Kita”(I Promise), a young lady waiting for her lover to come back after his mission in a war.

Art must be also be related to news or current events.
Former President Trump received a lot of criticism from veterans and military staff when he said the Presidential Medal of Freedom is better than the Congressional Medal of Honor. Military folks said there is no comparison. You cannot buy a Medal of Honor by giving gigantic donations.

From CNN news:
“The Defense Department rules, the Medal of Honor is awarded to service members who distinguish themselves “through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.”
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded at the commander-in-chief’s discretion to “individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the security or national interests of America, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”

https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/16/politics/trump-medal-of-honor/index.html

The author’s Piece is about the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Years ago, I’m reminded by grandfather Gregorio of La Union, San Fernando about his cousin Jose Baliton Nisperos who was the first Asian Filipino Congressional Medal of Honor. His left arm was amputated and he died at the young age of 34.

• “Citation: from Military Wiki

“Having been badly wounded (his left arm was broken and lacerated and he had received several spear wounds in the body so that he could not stand) continued to fire his rifle with one hand until the enemy was repulsed, thereby aiding materially in preventing the annihilation of his party and the mutilation of their bodies.”

It's good to have heritage months for several cultures, after all America is a nation of immigrants because the only real residents of the USA America is the native American Indian who lived here for centuries.