A Night in Picasso's Life

The visit we had at the Picasso Exhibit in Emirates Palace was one for the ages. It was one of the things that I had done in my life that will forever be ingrained in my mind. What you expect in an event of international importance is what you will actually experience. 

T'was a perfect Tuesday night after work, a weekday, not too much people and traffic. We knew beforehand that cameras were not allowed in the show so I prepared myself and patched up my "photographic memory." The audio gadget however, that the exhibitors provided was truly amazing as it explains the story behind each of Picasso's artwork. From the paintings to the sculptures, from the drawings to his scribbles you'll be continually amazed of his genius. And as you learn the reason behind the creation you learn to admire the creator. 

However, I am still not a fan of his work but I respect the art that goes beyond it. I respect the man and recognize the struggles he had to go through. For me, his works are mere products of what was going on during certain periods of his time. It was the manifestation of the influences and the emotions that he experienced in life. And upon seeing the hundred and so pieces of work from this brilliant mind I can say that his art are not the paintings, not his ink drawings or bronze sculptures, not his doodles and sketches on paper, not his writings and poems. Picasso's art was actually his life. 

I didn't have any camera to save a remembrance and to gamble with my mobile phones' could cause me penalties that'll spoil that already memorable evening. However, might I forget the titles and names and the night we went to Emirates Palace, the images of Picasso's work will remain fresh in my memory till I have my grandchildren around to impart my story, of their "Lolo's night in Picasso's life."

Paalam Mang Joe...

Naaalala ko pa nang madalas akong buhat-buhatin ni Mang Joe (Joemari Mongcal) sa loob ng mga haligi ng Artist's room sa GASI noon. Hindi ko rin makalimutan ang paghatak niya sa akin noong maliit pa ako sa isang picture taking kasama ang grupo ng mga batikang nobelista, illustrator at letterer sa isang outing sa Montalban. Hanggang ngayon ay nakalarawan pa rin sa aking isip ang saya ng araw na iyon. Isa siya sa mga malapit na kaibigan ng father ko noon sa Komiks. Kung mayroon mang bukambibig ang Mother ko sa mga kaibigan ng pamilya ay isa si Mang Joe doon. 

Subalit ngayong araw na ito, sa aking pagbukas ng Message Board ng mga Komikero ay tumambad sa akin ang isang napakasamang balita mula kay Mang Dell Barras.

Pumanaw sa isang vehicular accident si Mang Joe sa may Baclaran. Dali-dali akong tumawag sa Father ko sa Pilipinas upang ibalita sa kanya ito. Lungkot at gulat ang naramdaman ko sa kanya. Marahil sa kadahilanang apat na araw rin mula ngayon ay dadalaw naman ang aming pamilya sa labi ng mother ko para sa ikalimang taong death anniversary niya. 

Muli kong nakita si Mang Joe after more than thirty years sa 2nd Komikon na ginanap sa UP Bahay ng Alumni. Hindi ko akalain na dito uli kami magtatagpo sa paaralang humubog sa pagiging ganap na artist ko. Subalit habang pinagmamasdan ko sila ng tatay kong nag-uusap ay hindi mawalay sa aking isip na ang dalawang taong ito talaga ang mga unang naghulma sa akin at nagbigay ng unang edukasyon sa larangan ng pagdidibuho. Sinubukan muli akong buhatin ni Mang Joe gaya ng ginagawa niya sa akin noong maliit pa ako, pero ang yakap at akbay lang niya ay sapat na sa amin upang ibalik ang alaala ng nakaraan.

Paalam Mang Joe... at kung sakaling magkita kayo ng Mother ko, pakikumusta ako sa kanya.

Kuha namin nina Mang Joe (nasa gitna) kasama ang tatay ko (nasa kaliwa) sa 2nd Komikon sa UP Bahay ng Alumni.