“Driven to Abstraction” by Cid Reyes

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In this writer's early interview, the late National Artist Jose Joya reminded the reader of the universality of abstraction: "It was only during the late '50s or early '60s that I started doing these Abstract Expressionist paintings, and I use that label as mere convenience, a label attached to the New York School of Painting.... Abstraction is an international trend; it isn't a contemporary development as most people would think. Even in ancient times, the Orientals were already doing calligraphy and Persian geometric designs; it isn't at all a recent phenomenon.... No, abstraction is not a time-honored convention in the Western world as it is in the Eastern world."

Credited with having created the first abstract work in the West is the Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky. In 1906, he did a watercolor consisting of squiggly lines and blots of colors commingling, suggesting no reference to the visible world, yet seemingly engaged with the spirit, akin to the mysterious power of music to touch the soul. The works of the American abstractionist Mark Rothko were said to move the audience into tears.

Thus, through over a century, abstraction has evolved its many variants, from gestural to geometric to minimalist. In his last public lectures, Kirk Varnedoe, director of the Museum of Modern Art, then in the grip of a terminal illness, kept the faith and trained one final light on abstraction: "It is the production of forms of order that are not recognizable as order, but vehicles of feeling that seem impersonal, vessels of intelligence that appear utterly dumb. Abstract art is a symbolic game, and it is akin to all human games: you have to get into it, risk and all, and this takes a certain act of faith. But what kind of faith? Not faith in absolutes, not a religious kind of faith. A faith in possibility, a faith not that we will know finally, but faith in not knowing, a faith in our ignorance, a faith in our being confounded and dumbfounded, a faith fertile with possible meaning and growth."

UNWTO Chief in PH for International Meets and Recovery Initiatives

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is pleased to welcome back Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), who arrives in the country today (15 May 2014) for a five-day visit.

Secretary General Rifai’s visit starts off with a dinner meeting in Manila with select cabinet secretaries, businessmen, and officials of the Tourism Congress of the Philippines where he will share the importance of tourism in economic recovery and the vital roles that government, businesses, and civil society play in tourism development.

Dr. Rifai will then proceed to Bohol for the presentation and turnover of the Bohol Tourism Recovery Plan, which was jointly prepared by the DOT, UNWTO, Pacific Area Travel Association (PATA), and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The recovery plan was developed following a series of fact-finding missions and extensive research over a five-month period to help the province recover from the effects of last year's earthquake. It includes a communication strategy to bring back the confidence of domestic and international travellers and of the communities, as well as an assessment of tourism infrastructure and assets that need to be prioritized for rehabilitation by the agencies concerned, international donors, development partners, national and local government agencies, and private sector.

BPI Express Credit Ties Up with Air Asia BIG

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Last May 13, 2014 was the launching of the two big innovators in its own industries that leads businesses to move in the same direction and gives way to make services more efficient and reliable for its clients and depositors as well.

Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), the country’s first bank and innovation leader in the banking industry, has launched yet another first . BPI Express Credit is now the exclusive partner of Air Asia BIG in the Philippines.

Air Asia BIG Loyalty Programme is the first and only loyalty Programme of Air Asia , the leading and the largest low-cost carrier in Asia.

With BPI as the exclusive bank partner of Air Asia Big in the Philippines, BPI cardholders can now convert their Real Thrills Rewards points to Air Asia Big Point. They can use the big point . Every  three (3)  RTR point is equivalent to  one (1) Air Asia Big Point. They can use the BIG POINT to redeem Air Asia flights and services, among others. Plus BPI Express Cash Cardholders will be the first to know of Air Asia’s low BIG points redemptions.

To avail of this unique and thrilling treat from BPI Express Credit, simply sign up as an AirAsia BIG Loyalty Programme member via www.airasiabig.com and call BPI at 89100 or email expressonline@bpi.com.ph to convert RTR points  to BIG Points. A Big shot member enjoys preferential access to Air Asia’s biggest sales and promos.