Even the Pope was enthralled by the sculptures of Filipino artist Kublai Ponce-Milan, which were installed in St. Peter’s Square over the Christmas season
UNTIL FEB. 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, a tableau showcasing nine larger-than-life statues by Mindanao artist Kublai Ponce-Millan is on view at St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican City in Rome. He is reputed to be the only non-Italian artist whose works are included in the centuries-old tradition of a Christmas belen at the very heart of Christendom.
Kublai’s statues are molded from cement poured into fastidiously constructed ribs of steel rods. They are costumed in colorful handwoven banig (mats) clinched with a fiberglass finish. The mise-en-scene, strewn with delightful intimations of fish, fruits, and vegetables, evokes the blessings, bliss and beauty of Filipino community folk as they celebrate the bounty of harvest: an indigenous family pulls in a net heavy with a catch, while the other statues break out in dance or play their kulintang and other instruments.
“Napapaiyak ang mga Pinoy na nandoon,” says Maan Chua, Kublai’s other half.
Even Pope Benedict XVI was enthralled. Instead of just blessing the nativity scene from his imperial perch at the altar of St. Peter’s Basilica, he stepped out into the Square after leading the flock in the first vespers of the Solemnity of Mary last December 31 and, in wintry weather, walked over to the belen, where he knelt in silent prayer. The Pope then toured and blessed the different nativity sections
In a report by Reverend Father Jose V.C. Quilongquilong, SJ, the Vatican was quoted as saying in an official note, “The combination of the traditional nativity figures in Rome with the Filipino figures brought an eccentric and surprising result with important symbolic meaning: the universality of the church.”
Kublai’s work was commissioned by Mercedes Arrastia Tuason, Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See, through her daughter, Rosanna Tuason-Fores, a good friend of Maan’s.
“We finalized the discussions last August, and by the end of October, we were able to ship the entire work for installation in Rome by December,” says Maan.
Kublai and Maan arrived at the Vatican on Dec. 14, where they were met by the Philippine Consul General, Lulu Tabamo, who became their host during their stay there.
On Dec. 23, the installation of the belen began. “When we arrived at the site that morning, the Italian workers had already installed the sculptures without us, so we had to move them again and rearrange the sculptures to the satisfaction of Kublai,” confides Maan.
“Fortunately, everything went well. Late in the afternoon, the Cardinal in charge of the project went to visit the belen and congratulated everyone who took part in putting it up. There was champagne and cake and lots of picture-taking. Someone from an Italian radio station interviewed Kublai.”
On Dec. 24, the day the belen was unveiled to the public, it rained all day and night. But the program still went on. Several TV stations surrounded the stage for the event. When the sculptures were unveiled, the Pope lit a candle from his window. This was the cue for a Filipino choir to break out in song.
“It was a dream come true for Kublai,” Maan says. “He was able to visit Europe as an artist whose works were welcomed and blessed by the Pope. It seemed very Michelangelo, and yet very postcolonial.”
UNTIL FEB. 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, a tableau showcasing nine larger-than-life statues by Mindanao artist Kublai Ponce-Millan is on view at St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican City in Rome. He is reputed to be the only non-Italian artist whose works are included in the centuries-old tradition of a Christmas belen at the very heart of Christendom.
Kublai’s statues are molded from cement poured into fastidiously constructed ribs of steel rods. They are costumed in colorful handwoven banig (mats) clinched with a fiberglass finish. The mise-en-scene, strewn with delightful intimations of fish, fruits, and vegetables, evokes the blessings, bliss and beauty of Filipino community folk as they celebrate the bounty of harvest: an indigenous family pulls in a net heavy with a catch, while the other statues break out in dance or play their kulintang and other instruments.
“Napapaiyak ang mga Pinoy na nandoon,” says Maan Chua, Kublai’s other half.
Even Pope Benedict XVI was enthralled. Instead of just blessing the nativity scene from his imperial perch at the altar of St. Peter’s Basilica, he stepped out into the Square after leading the flock in the first vespers of the Solemnity of Mary last December 31 and, in wintry weather, walked over to the belen, where he knelt in silent prayer. The Pope then toured and blessed the different nativity sections
In a report by Reverend Father Jose V.C. Quilongquilong, SJ, the Vatican was quoted as saying in an official note, “The combination of the traditional nativity figures in Rome with the Filipino figures brought an eccentric and surprising result with important symbolic meaning: the universality of the church.”
Kublai’s work was commissioned by Mercedes Arrastia Tuason, Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See, through her daughter, Rosanna Tuason-Fores, a good friend of Maan’s.
“We finalized the discussions last August, and by the end of October, we were able to ship the entire work for installation in Rome by December,” says Maan.
Kublai and Maan arrived at the Vatican on Dec. 14, where they were met by the Philippine Consul General, Lulu Tabamo, who became their host during their stay there.
On Dec. 23, the installation of the belen began. “When we arrived at the site that morning, the Italian workers had already installed the sculptures without us, so we had to move them again and rearrange the sculptures to the satisfaction of Kublai,” confides Maan.
“Fortunately, everything went well. Late in the afternoon, the Cardinal in charge of the project went to visit the belen and congratulated everyone who took part in putting it up. There was champagne and cake and lots of picture-taking. Someone from an Italian radio station interviewed Kublai.”
On Dec. 24, the day the belen was unveiled to the public, it rained all day and night. But the program still went on. Several TV stations surrounded the stage for the event. When the sculptures were unveiled, the Pope lit a candle from his window. This was the cue for a Filipino choir to break out in song.
“It was a dream come true for Kublai,” Maan says. “He was able to visit Europe as an artist whose works were welcomed and blessed by the Pope. It seemed very Michelangelo, and yet very postcolonial.”
When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs.
No comments:
Post a Comment