Russian exhibition of Philippine eco-cultural heritage tourism sites

MANILA, Philippines—In observance of the 35th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, between Russia and the Philippines, the Russian Exhibition of Philippine eco-cultural heritage tourism sites will have an inauguration at the Senate coordinated by the Office of Senator Edgardo Angara, August 13, Monday at 2:30 pm.

It will be presented at the House of Representative on August 15, Wednesday at 3 pm by the Association of Women Legislators headed by Congresswoman Gina de Venecia with Speaker Sonny Belmonte as special guests together with DFA Secretary Alberto del Rosario.

The project is realized by the Bureau of Creative Expeditions under the leadership of Professor Vladimir Anisimov featuring the impressions of renowned masters as well as young gifted painters about the wealth of habitat, heritage, history and unique hospitality of places they have visited like Bohol, Cebu, Dapitan in Mindanao, Santiago City in Isabela, Baler in Aurora, Pagsanjan Falls and Calamba in Laguna, on the banks of Taal Lake and in a UNESCO heritage site Vigan, as well as in Manila Intramuros and the Bilibid prison in Muntinlupa. Their colorful visual reflections on “the Islands of Sampaguita” will be complemented by a parallel panorama of Russia’s cultural diversity.

The initiative was undertaken as a special cultural exchange program between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Tourism of the Philippines and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, and Ministry of Culture of Russia, the Russian Embassy in Manila and the Philippine Embassy in Moscow with the NCCA and the Philippine ITI- Earthsavers UNESCO DREAM Center serving as coordinating secretariat.

The exhibition concept is the fruit of the Bureau’s cooperation with the ASEAN Centre at MGIMO University, Moscow headed by Dr. Victor Sumsky.

The project on the Philippine side aimed at creating the artistic collection of images from ASEAN countries through the eyes of the Russian painters is coordinated by UNESCO ITI-CIDC President, Cecile Guidote Alvarez, RM Outstanding Asian and Benigno Aquino Memorial Awardee for public service and nationalism through the arts. She underscored the significance, during the celebration of August as ASEAN Month that this expedition began in our country recognizing the Philippines, as the 1st ASEAN Culture Capital to be followed by similar visits in Malaysia, Cambodia and other Southeast Asian Countries.

The Russian Exhibition last year was made possible through the efforts of Russian Ambassador Nikolai Kudashev with them Ambassador to Russia, Viktor Garcia.

The Local Gov’t Hosts were Vigan Governor Chavit Singson, Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia with Russia’s honorary consul in Cebu, Madame Armi Garcia, Heritage Committee Chairman of Dapitan, Vice Mayor Paticia Chan, Aurora Governor Bellaflor J. Angara for Baler, Laguna Governor E.R Ejercito and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos and Santiago City, Mayor Amy Navarro.