The Anthem Philatelist

March 2023 marks the second year anniversary of the first postage stamp about the pandemic ever to be released.  Twenty one countries and the UN have between them released 68 postage stamps to mark the sacrifice of healthcare workers and patients during the covid-19 pandemic . Three of our esteemed colleagues and beloved mentors, Dr. Dennis Ramon Tudtud and wife Dr. Helen and my IM-pulmonologist mentor Dr. Ruben Escarda sacrificed their lives in the frontlines of the war against the vicious viral adversary. We honor you our beloved fallen heroes- your sacrifices were not in vain.   In the research led by Bertrand Lefrère of the Public Assistance Hospital of Paris, it was found that Iran was first country to post a design on March 2020 (pictured), but the rest of the world followed with stamps depicting healthcare workers, patients, and covid safe behaviours such as social distancing in French Polynesia. In the Philippines, PHLPost has printed 80,000 pieces of stamps i...

Angkla Gallery's Shared Aspiration- the 49th one man show of Celso Duazo Pepito has been extended to August 31. Admission is free. You can follow them on social media for gallery updates and other queries. Facebook: @AngklaArtGallery Instagram: @angklaartgallery Email: angklaartgallery@gmail.com

   "A new song, a soulful chant or a simple melody hark back to the senses the obscured movements of nature – the frolicking growth of a bud to a flower, the enthusiastic flow of a forgotten river, the murmurs at the thick of the wilderness where two artists as lovers pause to listen to the humming of indiscernible words, as they imagine better worlds spared from the uncertainties of the present precarious times. In “ Honi ug Banika ”, Cebuano artist-couple Celso Pepito and Fe Madrid bring out their works in a wilderness of hope with this exhibition of recent works made during the grueling period of community quarantine. “ Honi ug Banika ” which translates as ‘melody and nature’ is the couples’ way of contemplation, a necessary exercise of creativity and spirituality that lays open a course of redemptive action amidst the impasse of the pandemic ."       Self Mastery 2021   Mixed Media          ...

These paintings of Cebu's 14 Churches by renowned visual artist Cesar Castillo were inspired by the 14 Stations of the Cross on Holy Week during the grueling pandemic when churches and other places of worship were closed.   His fervent wish and prayer was for the whole collection to be sold as a set because disposing them individually would destroy the message of unity among the Catholic , Churches of Christ in times of crisis and upheaval.    Can you identity the 14? He also created other church paintings in sets (some in 7- the Holy Number of God. ex: 7 days and nights, 7 miracles of Jesus , 7 Last Words , 7 " I Am ") which were quickly snapped by collectors.    

Cesar Castillo was born and raised in Cebu City . Though he had shown interest in arts, he ended up taking Mechanical Engineering course in the University of the Visayas in 1986 just to fulfill the request of his parents. After graduation, he worked as a quality controller in the glass plant department of San Miguel Corporation , Cebu branch situated in Mandaue City   Though busy with his works, he always found time to develop his artistic skills, turning his free time into opportunities for learning.    As his artistic quest evolved, he started to find self-confidence in every painting he created thus giving him the privilege to slowly expose his art to Cebu's art patron and enthusiast. His first art teacher was Cebuano master cubist , Celso Duazo Pepito but he was personally mentored by Jose Kimsoy Yap Jr. , who taught him the notion of "less is more" and "not all has to be seen".   Giving in to the clamor for artistic expression, Cesar  Castillo ...