Filipino-Canadian artist Pepito Escanlar’s paintings of scenes from the Philippines are now on exhibit at the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, Canada.
Six of Escanlar’s artworks, all acrylic on canvas, are presented in the “Pamana – Sights and Sounds of Our Filipino Heritage” ongoing exhibit: Tinikling, Singkil, Tricycle sa Guimbal, Dinagyang, Bayanihan, and Silent Witnesses (The Fire Trees in Corregidor).
The retired architect, who returned to his passion for painting over the last three years, hails from Guimbal, Iloilo and migrated to Canada in 1975 after graduating in Architecture from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.
Escanlar shared to Good News Pilipinas how the subjects of his artworks are generally urban landscapes owing to his architectural background. His Pamana collection of Philippine scenes is his way to promote Philippine culture within the multiculturalism in Canada.
Arch. Escanlar started his term in September as president of the Philippine Association of Saskatchewan Regina where some 10,000 Filipinos reside. he also actively participates in the annual 3-day Mosaic multicultural event that includes Philippine Pavilion as one of 20 featured countries.
The award-winning amateur photographer also participated in the first Canadian Filipino Heritage Month held last June which was also marked by the unveiling of the Jose Rizal Monument in Canada’s version of the Luneta Park.
Asked by Good News Pilipinas to share a message to fellow Filipinos in Canada Pepito Escanlar shared, “As Filipinos in Canada, we are proud of our culture and want to share it. The emphasis is on integration, as opposed to assimilation.”
Philippine Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia noted at the launch that the exhibit is “a symbolic journey of preserving the multifaceted talents of Filipinos and passing these to the next generation of Filipinos and Filipino-Canadians, with the hope that those who will receive will further build on these sights and sounds and pass these on to the future generation of the Filipino diaspora in Canada.”
Arch. Escanlar’s next project is to turn his painting “Bayanihan” into a mural by involving Filipino kids. Each will be assigned to paint a 1’x1’ square and these individual squares will be put together to form a 4’x8’ mural.
“They literally will experience the spirit of bayanihan. I hope to be able to complete this project in time for the next Mosaic event (held the last week of May to first week of June),” explained Escanlar.
Pepito Escanlar’s works, alongside that of fellow Fil-Canadian artist Ella Brion, are on exhibit at the Sentro Rizal of the Chancery of the Embassy on #30 Murray Street, Ottawa until October 10, 2019.
Pepito Escanlar joins the many Filipino-Canadians who have carried the Filipino pride in their adopted country and around the world including Fil-Canadian entrepreneur Gelaine Santiago who was named one of the Top 25 immigrants for her social enterprise Cambio & Co. and Team Baisas who won the Snow Sculpting tilt in Canada.
Notable Canada-born celebrities with Filipino lineage include the new Disney Animation film star Cassie Steele, and YouTube’s Mikey Bustos who has moved to the Philippines.
Young Canadian swimming star Kayla Sanchez also traces her lineage to Pampanga.
SEND congratulations in the comments below to Pepito Escanlar, Ella Brion, and the Fil-Canadian community for showcasing the Philippines in their excellent works!
Like, Follow, Subscribe to GoodNewsPilipinas.com Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Good News Pilipinas! TV on YouTube, new story notifications and e-mail newsletters for updates on more Filipino Pride stories.
