Editor's Note |
20 years of service to the community
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Time flies.
Exactly 20 years ago this month, The SUN shone for the Filipinos in Hong Kong. It was
the fulfillment of a dream that took shape years earlier, or shortly after I arrived here in 1987 and
realized there was no reliable information channel serving the community.
But turning that dream into reality proved to be difficult. Several people offered to fund
the publication of a news-paper, but everyone wanted a business model different from what we had
in mind.
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Anak Araw |
Pagpapabaya
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Nitong nakaraang buwan ay naging saksi tayo sa nangyari kay Manang Gloria Ortinez,
ang OFW na biktima ng tanim-bala sa Manila airport. Halos buong araw kasi ay naglagi siya sa
opisina ng The SUN, kasama ang mga naghatid sa kanya na sina Susan "Toots" Ople na tagataguyod ng
mga OFW, at ang abogado niyang si Atty Spocky Farolan, kaya nasaksihan namin siya nang malapitan.
Details...
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Migrant's Forum |
Nanay Gloria's journey to HK
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President Benigno Simeon Aquino III recently told the media that cases of tanim-bala
were sensationalized, citing figures to prove his point. As an OFW advocate, I respectfully
disagree. Looking at this from a purely numbers perspective could lead one to overlook the deep trauma
that such incidents have caused its innocent victims.
Had he met and spoken to 56-year old OFW Gloria Ortinez, our President would have
learned the following:
Details...
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Know Your Rights |
The Mission
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This was the speech delivered by the Mission for Migrant Workers' general manager,
Cynthia Tellez, at the launch of the 10-year Impact Evaluation Report of the Mission's work held on
December 5, 2015 at the Li Hall of St. John's Cathedral.
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With at least one -- and possibly two disqualification cases in the presidential race --
the Supreme Court has assured the nation politics will not dictate its decisions.
See this month's stories...
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Staff and volunteers at the Mission for Migrant Workers had reason to celebrate when
they launched the non-government organization's 10-year Impact Evaluation Report at Li Hall of St
John's Cathedral on Dec. 4. Nearly all, or 97% of migrants who sought assistance said that they were
helped by the Mission, and more than half of them (57%) said they would recommend the NGO to others.
See this month's stories...
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September 2014
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Features Gallery
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Being unique is the goal of Filipino artist Jun Cambel, and he seems to have
successfully attained this with his fresh batch of mixed media art works. The unusual pieces, made or both
organic and man-made materials, have been earning him a lot of attention at an exhibition of
Filipino art running since June 12 at Marco Polo Prince Hotel in Tsimshatsui.
Cambel's penchant for using practically anything around him, including found objects
or industrial materials, help him create bold forms from a mix of stuff.
In Is It Ondoy? What Goes Around Comes
Around, for instance, Cambel has gone to
extremes in a collage using a soiled shirt and other debris from flooding caulked in oil and industrial resin
to depict the aftermath of a catastrophe.
In All in One, he combines woodblocks in varied depths and paint to create an intriguing
three-dimensional form with a giant eye as its central focus. This is supposed to represent one single
vision for a better environment.
But easily the most eye catching among Cambel's works is
Ghosts of the Past, an installation of an exquisitely painted swarm of more than 200 lifelike moths and butterflies of various
colors, finished with resin to add more dimension.
The art work is so riveting as it is that one is surprised to hear Cambel disclosing with
some disgust that the display had "lots of butterflies missing" meaning, it was vandalized.
Asked about his uncommon style, Cambel explains: "I still love to do typical traditional
works, of course, but I am not too happy without layers and all sorts of things around. All artists want
to achieve uniqueness making new fresh things -- well, at least I do. There should always be an
element of surprise."
The artist said he had been working with and exploring industrial resin for the past six years.
"It all started from curiosity, or wanting to be different, unique or set apart from others,"
he says. "My style, (it's) hard to categorize what particular style (it is), as I don't want to be confined
to one single style."
"But I love mixing realism, abstract and collage. One thing is certain; I enjoy the process.
All my works have been and will be pampered with available materials. As in cooking, you need to
be generous with ingredients to satisfy your curiosity and taste."
Perhaps contributing to Cambel's outlook is his origin. Growing up in bustling
Sampaloc, Manila, the artist was exposed to the multicolored tapestry of city life early on.
"I actually grew up in a good environment though it's in the heart of the city. I actually
miss those good scenes," he explains.
His attachment to his old neighborhood has continued despite living in Hong Kong for
two decades, as art director in various publications, and currently as production and design editor at
the South China Morning Post.
In those two decades, he has been in Manila almost half of the time, visiting his wife
Marylin and their only child at least each month.
Like any other artist, Cambel loves experimenting on style to achieve his desired effect,
sometimes fusing styles to produce a thought-provoking masterpiece.
The philosophy behind his works, the artist said, "is to represent myself and my expression.
I believe that an artist should represent his character and soul, not only his piece as a work of art".
What influences reflect on his masterpieces?
"We all had preferences not only in the art world. I was influenced by many artists in
various periods and genres, especially those with brave free-will styles that broke the traditional and
introduced a new form of art," Cambel said.
"They are all inspirations and to me. I just admire those artists. I'm on my own direction
and still searching and curious about things that surround me.".
He admitted that most artists were influenced by medieval and renaissance art, but in his
case, his experience with graphic arts have helped him fuse the two disciplines.
"Since I am basically by nature inclined to graphic arts and a commercial artist by profession,
I think combining both disciplines of graphic arts and fine arts is perfect," Cambel said.
At a young age, his first choice was advertising "as I grew up with my brother who used to
be one of the top admen in Manila". That brother of his, Bal Cambel, a product of Avellana and
Associates, set up his own studio doing all kinds of movie ads, posters and other promotional
requirements of various movie outfits such as Regal Films.
Thus, taking up advertising at Feati University in Manila proved to be a breeze to the
young Cambel. Most of his professors were in fact impressed by his advanced knowledge. "So I guess
I owed it all to my brother for introducing me to this world."
Art was already running in Cambel's veins even while he was in primary school. At the age
of seven, he was already making masks for playmates.
He recalls winning third place in a regional drawing contest while in Grade 3, and the prize
was one big box of candies that were distributed to the entire school. That made him the school's
house artist until Grade 6.
He had dreams of becoming a surrealist, but gave that up for just causes. "I thought I'd
become a surrealist but then I realized just 10 years ago that I'd rather do my art for a cause to raise
environmental awareness," the artist said.
At Marco Polo Prince, the works of Cambel are hung alongside paintings by two other
talented Filipino artists based in Hong Kong Manny Rubio and Justo Cascante III.
Cambel's mainly three-dimensional collages compete with Rubio's experimentation with
quick-drying enamel as a medium on canvas to create dramatically alluring pieces on a theme of
raging waves, as well as Cascante's signature boyish renditions of portraits and still life in oil on canvas.
The exhibit was part of a show put up by several Filipino artists for this year's
Philippine Independence Day celebration which opened on June 12. The show, however, has been
extended tentatively until about Sept. 15 for the three artists.
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