A restored corner of Intramuros set the stage for Asian Cultural Council Philippines’ anniversary, where art, music, movement and food came together in a fundraising evening that celebrated a quarter-century of nurturing Filipino artists and sustaining cultural exchange across generations.
ACC fellow Rachelle Gerodias, ACC Board members Josie Cruz Natori, Maribel Ongpin, Dr. Joven Cuanang and Isabel Caro Wilson.
PHILIP Cruz, Tina Cuevas, Josie Cruz Natori, Ching Cruz, Kelly and Nikko Prehn.
ERNEST Escaler, Cedie Vargas, U.S. Ambassador Mary Kay Carlson, Florence Kho and Dina Tantoco.
AMBASSADOR Manuel Teehankee, Mike Toledo, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and Andrew Gan.
CAROL Masibay, Maja Olivares-Co, Tessie Sy-Coson and Alex Cortez.
LOY Arcenas, Malu Lindo, Nestor Jardin, Edu Jarque and Chris Millado.
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF ACC PHILIPPINES
DEPARTMENT of Education Secretary Sonny Angara with wife Tootsy Angara, Josie Cruz Natori and Ernest Escaler.
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The invitation stated Foro de Intramuros — a venue I never heard before. However, an old friend immediately clarified it was once the Ateneo Municipal de Manila. Oh, I remember the place from many years ago, where we held a few official gatherings during my past professional life. I recall the area in total ruins, exposed to open skies and its harsh natural elements, with lush vegetation growing wildly. So on the way to this particular nighttime affair, with continuous rain through the day and a typhoon looming, I could only imagine what the organizers must have been going through. I genuinely felt for them.
Yet upon arrival, the expansive space, while still carrying the gravitas of its original Ateneo façade, floored me. It stood beautifully restored with massive open areas sans sturdy posts, completely covered by a gigantic tent, all modern, adaptable and flexible. It made the perfect setting for “Sky Islands,” the Asian Cultural Council (ACC) Philippines Foundation Inc.’s 25th anniversary celebration and fundraising auction.
Guests first encountered the commanding presence of Aze Ong’s encroaching crochet — gigantic streaming masses suspended from the ceiling, weaving, wrapping, and softening the industrial angles of the emplacement. A 2016 ACC fellow, she is known for transforming traditional crochet into spiritual, contemporary installations shaped entirely by intuition. She works alone, without patterns, letting the pieces flow and expand until they become immersive environments. If that was not enough, even her black dress for the occasion was crocheted!
On some tabletops were charming resin creatures, which channeled humor and social commentary, by 2014 ACC fellow Dex Fernandez, the mind behind Garapata. It has now become his signature visual language, and appears on tote bags, graffiti, murals and even animations. This is all a part of his evolving visual universe which has earned him international acclaim.
Striking stainless-steel pieces were by Sam Penaso. A 2013 ACC fellow, he has long pushed the boundaries of form, moving fluidly among painting, sculpture, performance, and experimental work. His practice has taken him across Japan, Thailand, Austria, Germany, Singapore, USA and UAE. Yet his Bohol roots still anchor his creations.
During cocktails, guests were treated to a soundscape by Teresa Barrozo, a 2014 ACC fellow.
Soprano Rachelle Gerodias, 1996 ACC fellow, then took to the stage for “Mutya ng Pasig.” She was accompanied by 2025 ACC Fellow Joed Balsamo. It was then followed by excerpts from “Pasig River” by 2007 and 2018 ACC fellow Susie Ibarra.
The two ladies were joined by Daniel Dona on the viola and 2019 ACC fellow Alex Peh on the piano.
Melodies from the tong-ali and kubing were up next, by 2003 ACC fellow Antonio Maigue on the nose flute, and Susie Ibarra on the jaw harp.
The main feature for the evening was an excerpt from Sky Islands by 2025 Pulitzer Prize awardee in music Susie Ibarra. She expertly displayed her dexterity in handling several traditional and indigenous instruments in an unbelievable rapid succession, moving up and down, left and right the stage, accompanied by Alex Peh on piano, Antonio Maigue on the flute, and Teresa Montes on percussion.
All throughout the piece, Monica Gana and Ejay Arisola of the Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, with choreography by Erl Sorilla, moved fluidly around the space.
Dinner was prepared by Amado Fores, proudly carrying the torch of his mother, Margarita “Gaita” Fores — proof that the fruit does not fall far from the tree — presenting local ingredients with a refinement only he can deliver.
The menu included linutik made of squash and ginger-coconut soup, Kalinga etag, and malunggay leaves; and ensalata of pako ferns, palm heart shavings, watermelon, Kalinga etag, Negros caprino, and dalandan vinaigrette.
The main courses were Yellow Tail Amberjack “Buri” Sinampalukan with tamarind sauce, palm heart shavings, and pechay guisado; and Beef Tenderloin Tapuey Vinegar Adobo with chestnuts, roasted Ilokos garlic and sweet kamote mash, sigarilyas and corn guisado.
Dessert included Baguio strawberry panna cotta and Antipolo cashew crusted hojaldres.
The guest of honor was First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, active with ACC since 2013 and newly named honorary chair. She was joined by ACC Global Chair and Philippine trustee Josie Natori, founding chair Ernest Escaler, president Isabel Ongpin, treasurer Malu Gamboa Lindo, and members Concepcion Cruz, Joven Cuanang, Alice Eduardo, Judy Kim, Rajo Laurel, Ma. Lourdes Locsin, Antonio Mendoza, Josie Natori, Isabel Caro Wilson, Mercedes Zobel, ACC executive director Teresa Rances, and corporate secretary Alan Jose Reyes.
The post-show program saw Mike Toledo’s art pitch, followed by the evening’s silent auction — a tribute to ACC Philippines’ quarter-century of fostering artistic exchange. Since its founding, the council has supported 170 Filipino artists, among more than 400 grants extended throughout the region, including nine who would later become Philippine National Artists.
Along with the support of the ACC, with the continued contingents of Filipino artists who grow in experience domestically and overseas, the future looks bright and is in good hands.
