In a show of respect to His Majesty the King and in solidarity with the Thai people, the Philippine Embassy, in coordination with the Thai government, initiated and/or facilitated the holding of two important cultural events as part of the 60th anniversary celebration of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s accession to the throne.

Exhibit of world-renowned Filipino painter Rene Robles

The first event featured a solo exhibit of world-renowned Filipino painter Rene Robles at the Thai National Gallery on 7 April 2006. The exhibition, formally opened by Ambassador Antonio Rodriguez on 7 April 2006 and dubbed: “The Art of Making Visible: How I Love Thailand,” featured more than a hundred works by Robles. The event ran until 30 April 2006.

In his remarks, Ambassador Rodriguez thanked National Gallery director Mr. Sakchai Pojnunvanich for graciously hosting Robles’ exhibit and for inviting the Embassy to collaborate in this project as part of the 60th anniversary celebration of His Majesty’s accession to the throne. Ambassador Rodriguez also reiterated his desire to boost the implementation of the cultural agreement between the Philippines and Thailand.

After cutting the ribbon with Ambassador Rodriguez, Fine Arts Department Deputy Director-General Mrs. Somluch Charoenpot lauded the exhibit as the first activity of her department to celebrate this year’s royal anniversary. She was notably struck by one artwork entitled, “Fatherland,” which prominently featured the profile of His Majesty the King. The Embassy later on presented the painting as a gift to His Majesty on this auspicious occasion, through the Thai Foreign Ministry.

Other guests in attendance were Southeast Asian Ministers for Education (SEAMEO) Secretariat Deputy Director Dr. Chantavit Sujatanond, Thammasat University political scientist and Philippine expert Dr. Sida Sonsri, and friends from the Diplomatic Corps. In addition, Thai artists who last year attended the visual arts workshop by top Filipino artists (including Robles) were also among the guests.

Robles has won numerous awards in the Philippines and internationally. He has been recognized in the art world as the father of ‘assertionism’ — which he described as art that has power to assert, transform and transcend.

Piano recital by Acosta at the Thai Cultural Center

The second commemorative event featured a classical piano recital by world-class Filipino pianist Adolovni Acosta, at the Thailand Cultural Center on 28 April 2006. The Embassy con-sponsored the recital with D&M Music Studio and the Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel, and organized by Thai impresario Mongkol Chayasirisobhon.

It was Acosta’s first performance in Thailand, and her repertoire and virtuosity truly gave honor to the royal celebrations.  The evening’s program included works by Johannes Brahms, Claude Debussy, Enrique Granados, Frederic Chopin, and an encore piece by Buencamino. A piece composed by His Majesty the King was also performed by Acosta, with lyrics sung by concert organizer Mongkol.

In her 21-year career, Acosta has performed solo recitals in prestigious venues in New York, London, Paris, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Bonn, Vienna, Ottawa, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Brasilia, Manila, Hamburg, and Berlin.  She has given master classes, in addition to recitals, in conservatories and schools of music in Vietnam, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines. Her performances, often with live interviews, have been featured on international television and radio stations the world over. She has recorded piano works of Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona for Orion Master Recordings and those of Carl Nielsen for Musical Heritage Society.

Ms. Acosta is a graduate of the University of the Philippines.  She was a faculty member at the Juilliard School Pre-College Division, New York University Department of Music and the Performing Arts Professions, and Hunter College of the City University of New York Department of Continuing Education.

The Philippines
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Thailand
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° Bangkok Post
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