THE UNIVERSITY of San Carlos (USC) with Ayala Center Cebu hosted the formal launch of the book “The War in Cebu” last Dec. 8 at the mall’s activity center. The event included an exhibit of some of the 500 photos contained in the book.
The black-and-white pictures were taken from collectors and even from the archives of the United States Armed Forces. They cover the years before the war but were mostly taken during the difficult years of the Japanese occupation until the liberation of Cebu.
There was a ceremonial ribbon cutting by USC president Fr. Dionisio Miranda, SVD, US consular agent in Cebu Glenn Loop, and three of the book’s five authors—Resil Mojares, Valeriano “Bobit” Avilla and J. Eleazar Bersales, also the book’s editor who wrote the preface.
The two other authors are David E. Taylor, a US-based historian, and Dave Colamaria, grandson of one of the soldiers who fought in Cebu during the war and was in the decisive battle of Cebu airport in Lahug. It is now Ayala Land’s IT Park.
Numerous guests attended the event, bought multiple copies, and asked the authors present to sign the title page. Also asked to sign was bemedaled Sgt. Uldarico “Ikong” Cabahug, veteran of the war and spry at 91.
Exhibit on human figures
Adeste Deguilmo is considered one of Cebu’s best portrait artists. He trained at the University of the Philippines (UP) College in Cebu under the late Martino Abellana, whose mentor was Fernando Amorsolo.
Recently, Adeste held his eighth one-man show at Qube Gallery in Crossroads, Banilad, titled “Distortus,” where he veered away from portraiture. His works dealt with the human figure in action, and sketchy interpretation. Some thought it was all quite surreal, and yet there was much fluidity in the pieces.
Like Adeste, Cebuano painter Leopoldo Aguilar also studied fine arts at UP Cebu. He was a consistent awardee of the Jose Joya prize for painting among students of the university, founded by the national artist himself some 40 years back.
Aguilar founded the Neo-Tribalism Movement, and is now based in Manila. He comes home to Cebu as he did last November for his show, “Shadow Fragments,” also held at Qube.
This exposition was inspired by silhouettes and anything that catches shadows. The distinctly linear strokes Aguilar is known for are rendered in acrylic, graphite and ink.
Aside from the more than 20 wall-bound artworks, Leopoldo also showcased his installation pieces made of metal, wood and stone.
Maris Holopainen, Qube Gallery’s owner, was happy with the results of both shows and says more exhibits by noted local, national and international artists will be scheduled in 2016.
Intimate birthday bash
As the invitation stated, it was an intimate gathering of family and friends on the evening of Dec. 5 to celebrate the birthday of Angie L. Mathieu at the French restaurant La Maison Rose. It had been splendidly organized by her son, Mickey Paulson.
Present were Angie’s brother, French honorary consul Michel Lhuillier, with his wife Amparito; sister Marguerite Lhuillier with her children Chris Darza, Claudine and Mikel Ugarte; Rosebud Sala, Johnny and Ana Marie Dizon, Teresin Mendezona and Carmen Campbell.
An excellent menu was prepared by chef Adrien Guerreye who devised the pica-pica with fish tartare, foie gras empanada, shrimp cake and duck maki with goat cheese.
There was a choice of either lobster bisque or crab soufflé. I chose the latter. For main course, almost everyone chose the crusted salmon filet. The alternative was grilled duck breast. Dessert was exquisite, tartlets filled with fig bits.
For Angie, Amparito had ordered a delicious chocolate moist cake, the specialty of their Tita Nena Garcia. It was brought in for Angie to blow the birthday candle, and consequently sliced so that everyone could enjoy it.
Seaside debut
Same night (Dec. 5) over at Chateau by the Sea in Mactan, Neil and Ophelia Gandionco celebrated the 18th birthday of their pretty daughter Sophia Inez. It was a memorable occasion with the gentlemen requested to wear linen suits and the ladies, cocktail dresses, tea gowns or floor-length attire.
Chateau by the Sea is also the setting for an elegant afternoon wedding on Jan. 9, when Joey Suaco takes the lovely Jelly Macachor for his bride. Joey is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jose Arturo Suaco; Jelly is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronolfo Macachor.
Principal sponsors will be Ramontito and Liz Garcia, Dennis Cabalfin and Rosario Utzurrum, Jose Mari Cañizares and Gloria Cañizares, Jose Maria and Maria Luisa Castro, Daniel and Elizabeth Ybañez.