20
MetroVanIndependent.com
May 2015
Culture
Daloy-Puso:
Flowing from the Heart
Philippine Consul General UBC Associate Professor
Neil Ferrer
Leonora Angeles
Photos by Christoper J. Carter
Colonial performance by Alvin Erasga Tolentino of Co. Erasga.
By Emmy Buccat
A community of Filipino-Canadians
gathered together to discuss possible
solutions on intergenerational and
intercultural leadership issues facing the
Filipino-Canadian community in the Lower
Mainland during the Daloy-Puso: Flowing
from the Heart event at the Scotia Dance
Center recently.
Colonial, a one-man dance
performance by Alvin Tolentino of Co.
Erasga opened the dialogue exploring
the burden of Spanish and American
colonialism in the Philippines. Colonial
brings a new source of inspiration in
building a better future by revisiting the
past and seeking solution in the present.
Philippine Consul General Neil Ferrer
delivered the opening remarks while
University of British Columbia (UBC)
Associate Professor Leonora Angeles
facilitated the open forum and tableau.
The event was presented by the
Rethinking Responses and Responsibilities
in River Regions and organized with the
help of UBC graduate students Dennis
Gupa, Chaya Ocampo Go and Hanna
UBC graduate student
Dahlstrom.
Dennis Gupa
Featured Artist: Esmie Gayo McLaren
Purple Heart.
Filipino-Canadian artist Esmie Gayo McLaren.
VANCOUVER SOCIAL CORNER
By Bert Morelos
Our featured ar tist Esmie Gayo
McLaren is a proud Filipino-Canadian with
a lifelong interest in arts. She came to
Canada in 1970 and completed a Bachelor
of Science degree major in biology and
psychology from the University of Alberta.
She also received a Certificate of Fine Arts
from the Emily Carr University in 2008.
McLaren has been painting for over
Market Man.
Photo by Bert Morelos & Esmie Gayo McLaren
30 years, which began with self-directed
studies an d eventually attended art
workshops to enhance her skills. She
loves the feel and versatility of oils and the
freedom and spontaneity of watercolours.
Based in Vancouver, McLaren is
an active member of the Federation of
Canadian Artists, Portrait Society of
America, Society of Philippine American
Artists and International Watercolour
Society. Her art is rich in action and
emotion. Her narratives of life evoke both
tranquility and zest.
McLaren enjoys community
work, especially bridging people and
communities. Her latest contribution was
working with Vancouver Asian Heritage
Month Society as co-ordinator for a
successful explorASIAN festival 2014.
The focus was on the Filipino community
and the important contributions of Filipino
First Families in BC. Artworks by first
generation Asian Canadians were also
celebrated at explorASIAN and provided
an important platform for dialogue on
art and the advantages and challenges
faced by both immigrants and the general
population.
McLaren is part of an upcoming
exhibition entitled “Pagtitipon – A
Gathering” which will showcase a
collective body of original works by Filipino
Canadian and Filipino American artists
at Roundhouse Community Centre in
Vancouver. Exhibition dates are scheduled
from Aug. 10 – 13, 2015 with an Artists’
Reception on Aug. 11th from 6:30pm to
8:30pm.
The Red Scarf.
Brioso.
Entrada Solemne.
Lunch Pads
UBC graduate student
Chaya Ocampo Go