World Class Art Exhibition in Bankstown - February 11th (2012)

Think of art like a piece of jewellery that you treasure...your dress would look okay without those chandelier earrings or that suit without that snazzy cufflinks, but with them... wow!

Artworks make a great statement and value to any home. Any person from all walks of life can appreciate and desire art, because it is in-built, it is part of our DNA design,

“Art is collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better.” (Andre Gide )

The evening of February 11th at the Bankstown Sports Club was a night to remember. It was the very first of the 'Art from the Heart' events – a collaboration of Plaza Filipino, Inc with l944Art Gallery Pty Ltd- and it certainly turned out to be a notable and enjoyable event for everyone. The list of VIP guests included the Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis and Bankstown Councillor Pam Gavin There were a number of business people from the financial industry, medical doctors and graduates of the University of NSW Fine Arts. Art awareness was certainly the theme of the night The very presentation of the Art from the Heart is art in itself. The location was just perfect with the Art Exhibit area next to the GrandBallroom. A reliable source has confirmed that it was Bankstown Sports Club's first Art Exhibit since it was built!

Talking about an artist or one who creates art, all I can say is that theyare one truly amazing group. Just imagine picking up a tube of oil or acrylic and creating a thing of beauty from it, a piece of art for you to behold while ultimately suggesting every emotion one can feel. The French calls it the “oeuvre"(oev-ra) which is simply the entire composition of the lifework of an artist! That evening was everyone’s chance to get a glimpse of the artist's inner workings, a challenge for us to see and be compelled to understand an artist's essence...

Artist Dennis Gonzalez Monte based in the Philippines arrived a fortnight ago to proudly show his latest artworks. He reminded me of what Pablo Picasso said “Some painters transform the sun into a yellow spot, others transform a yellow spot into the sun.”. Indeed, Dennis has metamorphosed into a complex of multiple styles from landscapes to abstracts. His Filipiniana-themed masterpieces certainly drew a lot of interests. Not only that his subjects included the 2009 Red Dust Days of Sydney, a very confronting bushfire and a collection of birds.

“Every artist tips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature.”

 (Henry Wartl Beecher)

Daisy Ann Gonzalez Cumming is an artist who is most open about her passions when it comes to her art, the very reason her patrons are so drawn to it. Over 40 years of experience as an Artist  and Art entrepreneur, has brought her to where she is now in her exceptional journey. She certainly tips her brush into the deepest places of her soul especially in her Women and Flowers Series that started when Daisy had her earlier exhibits in London The passion continues...

Two other visual artists - Gwen Apalisok antl Jun Velasco - also had their brilliant works included in the Art Exhibit This evening is a defining moment for these two outstanding artists.

Allow me to change the line of a song. Love is not just a many-splendored "thing" because love is a many-splendored art-form. Art explores so much of human feelings and experiences that an obvious connection exists. And the greatest painters in history who changed the world - from Masaccio to Picasso - created art based on the greatest emotion of all Love and Art" Art and Love. Love is the basis of the masterpieces showcased during the Event. Such well-planned timing that “Art from the Heart”  happened close to the much celebrated and most romantic day of the year - Valentine's Day! ( An article from Ang Kalatas, 2012 February)

By Jette Regozo, Managing Director, 1944 Art Gallery Pty Ltd

(Daisy Ann Gonzalez Cumming is 1944 Art Gallery’s Fine Art Director.

With the collaboration of 1944 Art Gallery Pty Ltd and Plaza Filipino, Inc, she conceptualized the “Art from the Heart” event. The '1944' as a Company has the passionate purpose and dual objective to empower the local visual artist in every sphere and style of painting and at the same time, to encourage the public's active interest in them.)

the power of the frangipani

As I write this blog, the smell of the frangipani wafts through the kitchen window, the frangipani tree is actually situated near the balcony of our bedroom and it is the last scent of the evening before I turn off the lights...here we are again, in Port Stephens, Nelson Bay in Northern NSW...aaahhh, the warm sea breeze, the gentle sunny days, the "laid-back" lifestyle...rest and relaxation for me and Bob. The boys went fishing the whole day with Aisa and Amariah down in Soldier's Point where the baby loves chasing after the pelicans. Come to think of it, the average pelican bird is bigger than her! But this does not faze her at all..! I think they love playing with her too, after the "sunset photography" ( refer to Bob's facebook uploads) we head for the parking lot but not before Amariah picks up a pelican feather! The birds have left her with memento. 

By the way, Caloy and Marlo, check the following photo. We stayed at the golf resort (although we did not play the sport) and here we are again...

All Creation shout His Worth!

I found my self humming this very old worship song..

I exalt you Lord I exalt you..You are high above the earth, all creation shout your worth...I exalt you Lord I exalt you...my Jehovah I exalt you...

Winter has come...

An Ode to Autumn as it bows to Winter's grand entrance...

Autumn was the season when we first arrived in Australia. Autumn is a season ordained by God to replenish the soil. Every season brings with it a different facet of Nature. Mother Nature is a wonderful teacher of new lessons. The leaves of trees change colour from luscious greens to a wild crescendo of vivid reds and purples to vibrant orange. Sometimes no word can describe the beauty of Nature so I attempt to describe it in colours and sounds. I can both feel and hear the gentle rustle of the falling leaves and the hush of the cool wind on my skin. Autumn air is crisp and sharp.

I discovered that the leaves change colours because of three factors: leaf pigments,length of night and the weather. Isn't it amazing that Autumn has all three in transition? The pigments in the leaves develop into other shades, there are longer nights and the weather causes the temperature to go down. But Autumn colours are very unpredictable - the fun is to wait expectantly.

I am fortunate to live in a country where Autumn is such a breathtaking combination of colours - reds, oranges, golds and browns. I feel blessed that God designed Autumn in Australia!

I can tango...

it was a Monday night at the Bonifacio Global City...it was Jude, Neriz, Caloy, Marlo, Bobby and me. We were at a ballroom club where people are learning and practising their dance steps. I noticed there were a number of professional dancers around and I said to myself..."i'm going to be so embarassed here...". Caloy checked out 1 female Dance Instructor and 2 young men. Both very tall. I said to myself again "maybe the swing, I can do that". There was a good variety of dance music being played but no swing music! Oh well, I will just eat the yummy food infront of me. Suddenly the tango music. I said to Neriz "this is where I draw the line, no, it is just too intimate, too much for my prudish self.." But one of the young men asked me very politely and I shook my head guiltily. It is as if I am saying a blunt "no!" to one of my kids...hahaha. But he was just so insistent. Looking at Bobby who was nodding, I hesitated but extended my hand to be led to the dancefloor. He was such a gentleman and that night, I learnt to tango. Tango can be pure clean dance fun! Too many intricate steps but my young friend showed me how easy it could be. Yeay!. I can tango now..

The next music was a dancestyle he called the "machado". Not sure what it meant but it was a fast Latin freestyle kind of dance. And that I enjoyed too. ! I saw Bobby dancing with the nice young lady. I hope he did not give her a difficult time. LoL. Finally some swing music was played and that topped the dancing pleasure of the evening. I bet Marlo and Neriz experienced magic on the dance floor too. The night ended, we said goodbye to the young lady and gentlemen. They invited us again next Monday.

Royal Reunion of the Century

02 April to 11 April, 2011. Thanks be to God Who has orchestrated everything to be momentous, joyous and hilarious for the FFF! It started in an island paradise in Bohol and moved to the Tagaytay Highlands ( with the Taal Lake in sight) and across the distance to Manila, specifically the Bonifacio Global City. We created new memories in Panglao Island, renewed the old ones in Tagaytay and forged the relationship deeper in The Fort. Everyone has gone to their respective homes in Australia, US and Taguig, but the memories will linger only because it was held precious in the minds and hearts of everyone. Surely we are so blessed with a friendship and sisterhood that spanned more than 4 decades, so rare that it is cherished forever. I bet we'll still be friends even when we're old, arthritic, grumpy and hopefully not too wrinkly (thanks to Thermage technology). We celebrate being women, wives, mothers and most of all, best friends forever fabulous.! Thank you Lord for the FFF!

A Toast to Sugarpie

25 years of marriage and 3 years of courtship - what can I say. Each and every year testifies to the Goodness of God which is reflected in you. Each year has its highs and lows but the Lord never failed to pull us through. Every single moment is a testament to your faith and obedience to the One who is part of our "three-fold cord"

How can words describe what we share and have together. You are and will always be my best friend, lover, mentor, teacher and a multitude of roles.

You show the love that is funny in moments when I need a joke, the love that is constant when I am unsure, the love that is gentle when life is harsh, the love that lets me grow when I feel stunted.. you are even the extra heartbeats when mine sometimes gets bogged down by trials and pains. Sounds corny but I wanna say that "you complete and complement me"

Yu are the milk to my coffee. You are the cream to my tea.

You are the ice in my halo-halo, the fruit in my yoghurt, the honey in my cereals.

You are the right to my left, the up to my down , and simply the andropause to my menopause.

You are the CPU to my workstation, the Top Gear to my low-gear days.

You are my steady hand on my confused moments, my connection when I feel disconnected, you never fail to share your cellphone when I can't fine mine and hand me the housekeys when I misplaced them..

I raise my glass to you my dear loving husband and toast you and our love. For the remainder of our days on earth, may our cup always runneth over. I love you beyond words.

Most of all...thank you for you have given me the love that is the reflection of the Real Deal Love - in the Person of Jesus Christ.!

An Ode To Marshmarlo...

To my youngest FFF friend who has blossomed and matured into the woman of God she is now, a confident Daughter-Princess-Warrior and a sharp end of the Sword of the Spirit. My card says when we're 88, we're still going to be friends. Somehow I do not agree as I believe we will still be sharing giggles and laughs for eternity..You always have a soft answer and the gentlest sense of humour I've ever seen in any friend of mine. I cannot name one single trait that has continued to influence and inspire me. Everything about you has enriched me as a person, as a woman and most of all, as a child of God. I love you. Happy Birthday.!