Immersing in Philippine culture

With the Philippines as Guest of Honor in Frankfurt in October, my wife Neni, who is part of the GoH team, played host to visiting German press last month.

- HK YU, PSM

Her account: A mandatory component of the recent eight-day visit of seven German journalists was immersing them in Philippine culture, through interactions with writers from the regions. All in preparation for the country as Guest of Honor in Frankfurt on Oct. 15-19. Two hectic though well-curated provincial tours were planned by Riya Lopez of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the National Book Development Board and the office of Sen. Loren Legarda. The delegates had a choice of two weekend trips: a Northern Luzon visit or a Central Visayas trip.

Tina Schraml and Alexandra Stiller went north in the company of writer Kristian Sendon Cordero. A first stop was at the Istorya Studios in Guiguinto, Bulacan, owned by artists Rodel Tapaya and Marina Cruz, who run an independent publishing house, a popular neighborhood bookstore, a café and a creative space. This was a busy place, frequented by children and grownups alike, enjoying, among other things, Istorya's wide collection of manual typewriters—a revival of a lost art?

Baguio, the home of two neighboring museums by National Artists Bencab and filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik, was special. There was the Bencab Museum and the Ili-Likha Artists Village and meeting National Artist Kidlat Tahimik, who established the village in 2014, described as "like a whimsical treehouse with mosaics, stained glass and woodwork."

It was the Central Visayas trip I was lucky to be a part of. An impossible itinerary for Iloilo, Antique, Caticlan, but there was master peerless tour guide, filmmaker Elvert Bañares, to thank. He just made it happen, from greeting us like royalty at the Iloilo airport with handmade leis and a huge tarp. It wasn't the Dinagyang season but it was recreated for the group nonetheless.