Up Playwrights' Theater Proudly Presents Angry Christ

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Perhaps one of the most enigmatic works of Philippine contemporary art is the mural entitled THE LAST JUDGEMENT in the Chapel of ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER in the Victorias Sugar Mill in Negros Occidental. The work of the Fil-American painter Alfonso Ossorio was created in 1950, a time of great social upheaval in Negros.

Ossorio was born to a family of great wealth. His father, Don Miguel Ossorio, was from a wealthy Manila merchant clan. Although he was born in Manila, he was sent to study in England at 8 years old and returned to the land of his birth only in 1949. After finishing what many acknowledge as his masterpiece, Ossorio flew back to the United States where he established his reputation as a painter and a patron of such artistic giants as Jackson Pollock and Jean Dubuffet. He never returned to the Philippines.

The mural both shocked and scandalized the people of Negros when it was first unveiled late in 1950. Today, the entire chapel is a tourist attraction as well as an important part of Negros history. It is a singular treasure of Philippine art.

ACT 1 covers the period when Ossorio first came home to begin work. His younger brother Frederic has commissioned a foreign architect to build a chapel. Ossorio brings with him the Countess, Ade de Bethune to design the church’s mosaics. While de Bethune easily integrates herself into the life of the sakadas, Alfonso must struggle with the many influences that shape the mural. The ghosts of his troubled childhood, his sexual preference, the poverty of the sakadas and the growing insurgency all prove deeply troubling. Equally troubling are the conventions of traditional liturgical art which he finds stale and limiting. A fictional character, Anselmo, a boy from a sakada family, is Alfonso’s assistant. Try as he may, Anselmo cannot accept the conventions of Ossorio’s art.

In ACT 2, Alfonso decides on the theme of the mural. Going against all convention and acknowledging all opposing influences, he begins to create a statement that reconciles both dark and light in his nature.

Volkswagen PH Introduces All-New Tiguan SUV, Activates CSI’s Steps to Safety at 13th MIAS

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Volkswagen Philippines, the number one European car brand in the country in 2016, is set to introduce at the 13th Manila International Auto Show on March 30 to April 2, 2017 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City its new product lines as well as activate the second phase of the multi-awarded Child Safety Initiative with the “Steps to Safety” program.


All-New Tiguan

The all-new 5-seater Tiguan compact SUV is powered by a 1.4-liter, 4-cylinder turbo-charged stratified injection (TSI) engine with BlueMotion Technology that generates a maximum output of 150 Ps at 5,000 rpm and torque of up to 250 Nm at 3500 rpm, all coming from a compact, fuel-efficient Euro 6 emission-compliant engine mated to a 6-speed direct shift gear (DSG) transmission. This SUV is laden with safety features, most notably the airbags, including a knee airbag for the driver, the ISOFIX child seats’ anchorage points, and the Electronic Stabilisation Program with the driver steering recommendation. 

Underrated Places to Visit this Holy Week

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Take advantage of the long holidays this Holy Week to relax and reflect in these best-kept Philippine destinations

The next much-awaited time of the year in the Philippines after Christmas is the Lenten season. Many use this time to escape the hustle and bustle of life in Metro Manila and other big cities and just seek comfort and freedom from everyday stress. Combining religion and summer vacation, the Holy Week is the best time to get that much-needed rest and offer a silent prayer.

To help you in this endeavor, real estate website MyProperty has listed down some of the must-go sites this Holy week that might be less crowded and just perfect for the season. Relax and reflect in these awesome places so you’ll get back with a refreshed mind and body.

Siquijor

The mystical island of Siquijor also boasts various tourist destinations. Some of the most noted are the Isla del Fuego, the pristine beaches in San Juan town and the centuries-old St. Francis de Asisi Parish, which is also the biggest convent in the country built in 1884. Siquijor also have a butterfly sanctuary and breathtaking waterfalls and springs but medical tourism is the real attraction here. The province is known for the alternative healing methods of the locals.

Simultaneous with Holy Week is their yearly Healing Festival. The four-day festival is opened by a Holy Mass and will include healing sessions, exploration in Cantabon Cave and a holy trek to Mount Bandilaan.

Deep Forest Waterfall, National Park Island of Siquijor, Philippines. Photo via Shutterstock.

The Pinatubo Crater Lake. Photo via Shutterstock.

Tarlac

The Philippines has its own version of the Holy Land located in the province of Tarlac. Just 30 minutes away from the main highway and located at the top of a mountain in Bamban are life-size images that show the mysteries of the Holy Rosary and a number of Bible verses. The local “Holy Land” also has a replica of the tomb of Jesus Christ to complete the experience. It also highlights a 40-foot statue of Jesus on the cross on Mount Golgotha.

Furthermore, Tarlac should be part of anyone’s bucket list as some of the most thrilling tourism experiences can be found here, including the Mount Pinatubo trek adventure and Kart City Tarlac. Museums, waterfalls, and luscious food finds also dot the city to ensure a worthwhile vacation for all.

Sunset in Sta. Ana, Cagayan. Photo via Shutterstock.

Cagayan Valley

Slowly rising to popularity are the well-preserved white-sand beaches of Cagayan and Palaui Island’s raw beauty is at the top of the list. Once hailed as one of the “World’s 100 Best Beaches” by CNN, Palaui is beyond doubt a magnificent sight to behold and experience.

Aside from its amazing water features, Cagayan has other activities perfect for all especially for the season of Lent. Historic pilgrimage sites can also be found in this stunning province tucked in the quaint northern part of the Philippines. One of the must-visit pilgrimage destinations in the country is the Calvary Hills in the town of Iguig. Life-size statues depicting the 14 Stations of the Cross and the old church of San Antonio de Galica built in the 1900s can be explored here. What’s best is its astonishing location atop a hill, which affords every visitor scenic views of the mighty Cagayan River.

Mount Pulong Bato in Zamboanga City. Photo by Zamboanga Historical Landmarks

Mount Pulong Bato in Zamboanga City

Going to a pilgrimage is a favorite Pinoy activity during lent. In Zamboanga City, you can go on a nature trekking while observing religious traditions. At Pulong Bato in Abong Abong Park, the Stations of the Cross commence at the foot of the mountain and end at the peak. Religious images are also scattered and carved into the mountainside.

After hiking and praying, you will surely get a different kind of high spiritually and mentally once you reach the top to rest and just appreciate the picturesque views.

Apart from this marvelous religious place, Zamboanga City is also the home of a large number of natural and man-made attractions to add worth to a meaningful vacation. Carreon, Congo, Nancy, Busay, and Merloquet Falls are just some of the water adventures that are an absolute must-see in Zamboanga City, in addition to beaches and neighboring islands.

Miag-ao Church in Iloilo. Photo via Shutterstock.

Iloilo

Take your annual Visita Iglesia a notch higher by visiting the beautiful province of Iloilo. A trip to the centuries-old churches of the province is a must especially for your Holy Week reflection. Be in awe with the historical churches that surround Iloilo, such as the Jaro Cathedral, Molo Church, Miag-ao Church, and Guimbal Church, to name just a few.

After church hopping, neighboring island-province of Guimaras is just a short boat-ride away, which offers a different kind of water adventure for tourists. Forget about time and stress through the various offerings, such as marine sanctuaries, limestone formations, isolated beaches and coves, and a lot more.

Free yourself with stress, feast on the beauty of the country, and observe the true meaning of the Lenten season through these lovely places in the Philippines that offer a total spiritual and mental cleansing.