Talent in all its celebratory hues

Last Wednesday, acclaimed sculptor Ramon Orlina’s new exhibit of major works, “Luminosity,” was unveiled at the newly renovated Galerie Joaquin in San Juan. An overflow crowd feted Ramon and Lay-An Orlina on their latest sucess d’estime, a grand follow-up to the triumph that was the sculptor’s Quattromondial masterwork for his alma mater, UST’s 400th anniversary.

The exhibit featured works, not just in Orlina’s signature carved green-glass creations, but also in crystal that was colored blue, amber, purple, pink and white. But, the dominant color at the gallery that night was red – as in the multifarious red dots that indicated that many of the works on view (which included cast bronzes in various patinas) had already been sold!

‘Travel Time’

For her part, Susan Calo Medina’s proud “baby” is the second issue of her quarterly “Travel Time, The Magazine.” The veteran travel-show host and upholder of Philippine arts and culture takes readers and armchair adventurers this season to Subic, Baler, San Pablo, India, Manila’s galleries, London, on the festival trail – and even underwater!

SM cinemas

SM cineplexes should be complimented for thinking “out of the box” and thus expanding local options in terms of movie exhibition. The decision to screen old movies for a fraction of the usual ticket price is most welcome, as is the recent gambit of opening up the vacant morning theater hours to plays, workshops, lectures and other activities related to film or performance.

While it’s at it, SM should also think of ways to support the growing indie movement, perhaps by coming up with one “film club” theater per cineplex. If it effects regular tie-ups with schools, it could be of great service to the emerging generation of Filipino filmmakers.

New program host

Many of our veteran TV show hosts are overexposed and overworked, and the quality of their work has consequently been adversely affected. It’s high time that our TV networks open their programs up to relatively new personalities – like Adel Tamano, who’s now hosting “Tamano Perspective” Thursdays on ANC. The educator and lawyer looks and sounds good – and thinks straight, which is more than we can say of some other so-called commentators and analysts on the tube.

Aside from Tamano, many more fresh talents for news and public affairs programs should be discovered – or “rediscovered,” as the case may be – to generate genuine excitement in terms of program content and enlightening points of view. Is there a mini-me of Winnie Monsod out there, just waiting for her big break? Please, don’t make her wait forever.