5 August 2016 – The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver successfully held the opening reception of the art exhibit of the Dimasalang III International Artist Group, an event showcasing the collective body of original works by Filipino-Canadian artists on 4 August 2016, at the Consulate’s public reception area.
The art exhibit, which will run for six months, is part of a series of events in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Philippine consular office in Vancouver. The Philippine Consulate in Vancouver was established in May of 1956, and served as the Philippines’ first diplomatic and consular office covering the whole of Canada until the establishment of the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa in 1971.
The Dimasalang III International Artist Group, co-founded by Sofronio Ylanan Mendoza (SYM) and the late artist-writer E. Aguilar Cruz, is currently composed of the following visual artists: SYM Mendoza, Rod Pedralba, Jess Hipolito, Leo Cunanan, Jr., Ferdinand Chito Maravilla, Rolando Tuliao, Antonio Dizon, Francis Herradura, Andy Naval, Maria Apelo Cruz. The group’s vision and mission is to promote awareness of contemporary arts and culture, particularly Filipino; to develop younger Filipino-Canadian artistic talents, and to encourage a positive impact and contribution within the Filipino-Canadian community through visual arts.Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer, in his remarks, thanked the artists for lending their fine collection of artworks to the Consulate, for the appreciation and enjoyment of the visitors and guests of the office. Consul General Ferrer also commended the Dimasalang group on their excellent undertaking of fostering a positive contribution to the arts, through arts-related educational and professional development opportunities to its members and the general public, and for raising the consciousness of Filipino culture and heritage within the Fil-Can community in BC. END