TAT’s All, Folks!

Dear friends and colleagues -

I’ve been away the past month that i wasn’t able to share the good news about the "Mangyan Myth and Meaning" traveling exhibit to the Visayas! In case any of you have friends/ family or will be traveling to the Visayas anytime soon, please do catch our exhibit on the following dates:

After the Visayas, the Mangyan Heritage Center (MHC) will be off to Mindanao!

Meantime, some pictures in http://tatine.blogs.friendster.com/photos/myth_and_meaning/

and a sample of how the Bacolod launch went…

The Mangyans of Mindoro: Myth and Meaning

The Lasallian, Bacoleño, and Negrense communities have been given the chance to experience the magic and mystery of the Mangyan culture through the Museo Negrense de La Salle "Mangyans of Mindoro: Myth and Meaning" exhibit running from July 30-August 16, 2007. The exhibit is meant to orient the Negrense community of the rich and historic culture of the Mangyan peoples of Mindoro through their beadwork, hunting weapons, customs, costumes, musical instruments, Ambahan poems and epics, and their elaborate script that has stood the test of time and colonialism. In cooperation with the Mangyan Heritage Center (MHC) in Mindoro, the Museo embarked on the first major exhibit for the school year to stay true in its aim to educate and inculcate awareness and appreciation of culture and the arts in the community’s psyche.

The exhibit opening program started at 4:30 pm with Center for Lasallian Ministries Praisers Coordinator Mr. Nel Dingcong singing the invocation. After which Museo Director Ms. Irene Gaston welcomed the guests. Guest of Honor and member of the Board of Trustees of the Mangyan Heritage Center Mrs. Sony Kilayko-Ng gave a short introduction about the exhibit, the MHC and how it started, and the partnership between the Museo and MHC in the thrust of enculturation. After her talk Mrs. Ng gave Br. Ray a Mangyan beadwork necklace in bold green and white colors as a token. Then Mrs. Ng and Br. Ray led the cutting of the ribbon to officially open the exhibit for public viewing.

During the program, MHC volunteer Anya Postma read an Ambahan in the Mangyan dialect and the translation to English of which was read by fellow MHC volunteer Patricia Agarrado. Half Mangyan-half Dutch Anya is the daughter of Dutch anthropologist Antoon Postma who deciphered the Laguna Copper Plates and founded the Mangyan Research Center. Patricia is a Jesuit Volunteer in Mindoro whose parents hail from Negros Occidental. Both travel with the exhibit and stay as resource persons for detailed understanding of the Mangyan culture.

Members of the academe and Negrense dignitaries turned out at the exhibit opening last July 30 to experience first hand the myth and meaning that is Mangyan. The University community was led by newly installed president Br. Ray Suplido, FSC, Vice-president for Academic Affairs Dr. Elsie Coscolluela, Vice-president of Finance Dr. Jocelyn Aragon, Vice-president for Administration Mr. Bob Bergante, Alumni Relations Director Mr. Cugie Loarca, representatives of University Librarian Ms. Hinie Gonzales, Graduate School Dean Dr. Donna Echaus, Economics Department Chair Ms. Mae Llamas, Mrs. Nana Yulo, and faculty and staff from both the Integrated School and College. Members of the Negrense community present in the opening were Museo patrons Mr. Noli and Mrs. Carmencita Puentevella, Mrs. Josefa "Patching" Puentvella who came both as a guest and to represent her husband Congressman Monico Puentivella, Mrs. Rushka Gamboa of the Silay Heritage Foundation, Mrs. Lucy Lizares-Yunque, Association of Negros Producers president Mrs. Mary Ann Feria-Colmenares, La Consolacion College Art Professor Raymund Fuentes, Tan Juan Araneta Ancestral House Museum Mr. Clem del Castillo, Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation Board of Director Ms. Suzette Gaston, representatives of the St. Scholastica’s Academy, and representatives from the Negros Museum.

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Many thanks!

Tatine G. Faylona

Trustee, Mangyan Heritage Center

www.mangyan.org