Arts & Culture

Why You Should Be Part of The Ocean Mapping Expedition

Inspired by the man who discovered the Philippines, Swiss boat Fleur de Passion sails the ocean and follows Ferdinand Magellan’s trail 500 years ago to map the ocean’s condition and how people’s impact the pollution underwater. This expedition is presented by The Fondation Pacifique, a non-profit organization, based in Geneva.

The Ocean Mapping Expedition sailed for over 4 years now to observe, understand and map the state of oceans and the influence of human beings on this vital environment and to help rise awareness about sustainable development issues in the wake of the expedition headed by the famous Portuguese explorer.

Since it’s departure, OME has set up to significant milestone of its mission. Here are some of the main scientific programs’ initial results from April 2015-December 2017:

Micromégas: 132 water samples have been collected by the crew, packed on board then sent to Switzerland for analysis. All samples have shown the presence of plastic particules, according to preliminary results.

20,000 Sounds Under the Seas: hours of recordings have been made, especially in the Strait of Magellan and the Pacific Ocean, a unique contribution to mapping the noise pollution in the oceans.

CoralWatch: more than 1,000 observations of the state of health of the coral have been carried out by the crew.

Live Habitat Mapping of the Great Barrier Reef: 12,000 pictures have been taken on 17 reefs as part of a vast project involving some of the major oceanographic institutions from Australia.

The great thing about the OME is that it encourages young adults to witness and join the crew. Over 34 teenagers ages 14 and up have joined the expedition as members of the Youth at Sea, a socio-educational program. The volunteers can be on board up to 2 months which is a great opportunity for them to explore and learn.

They also persuade certain cartoonists to be on board the boat. The first 8 cartoonists of the cultural program In the Mirror of Magellan have shared their impression of the expedition, available on the website: Zep, Matthieu Berthod, Tom Tirabosco, Pierre Wazem, Peggy Adam, Isabelle Pralong, Ambroise Héritier, Pierre Baumgart, Alex Baladi and Mirjana Farkas.

This Sinulog 2018, Fleur de Passion will join the seaborne procession for the first time this January. In fact, they are looking for volunteers from Cebu who can sail with them all over the Philippines for their field researches to get what they need as data. Then, they’re off to Japan and the rest of Asia.

So if your heart yearns for that kind of adventure and compassion towards our planet, this might be a good opportunity for you.

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Arts & Culture

What is Sappia? The Rice Myth Goddess of Bohol Who Helped Feed the People During a Great Famine

by Emma Gomez

The story began when the people of Bohol started to experience hunger and famine. All the livestocks were inedible and the fields were dried out leaving only weeds planted on the ground. The people prayed to the goddess of mercy, Sappia, to ask for food.

Sappia, the rice myth goddess of Bohol

Sappia, from the heavens, heard the cries of the people. She saw the dense population of weeds and offered to help them. Sappia thought of nourishing the weeds to be edible and healthy for the people of Bohol. Straightaway, she sprinkled the weed with milk from her bossom. She emptied each breast until blood came out. Before she left, she whispered to the weeds that they may be nourished and be able to feed the people.

When harvest season came, the people of Bohol quickly gathered the nourished weeds. They observed that the ones sprinkled with milk were white, while the other were red. They called the new plant rice and they replanted these in honor of Sappia, and for the people to devour.

Arts & Culture

Kimsoy’s Canvas of a Lifetime in Full Display

by Diana Gillo

There is nothing more fascinating than seeing an artist’s lifetime of work in one room. Such is the experience in Jose “Kimsoy” Yap’s third solo exhibit entitled “Kimsoy: Episodes of Mastery,” at Galerie Raphael Cebu. This serves as the truest form of homage to his enduring journey, showcasing works that span over decades.

The exhibit speaks greatly of Kimsoy’s evolution as an artist, with his shifting mediums and remarkable variety of subjects. His creations range from heartfelt portraits of individuals he encountered along his journey to detailed landscapes inspired by the different walks of his life. The room’s layout carries the weight of his years of craft with one wall lined with pastels, another with watercolors, and another with oil painting.

As the River Flows Onward by Kimsoy Yap 2020 | Oil on canvas | 82×48 inches

The exhibit transcends beyond just the commemoration of Kimsoy’s masterful periods. It wanders more into a sense of intimacy reflecting Kimsoy’s life’s journey—from his roots as a young boy in Negros Oriental, through his pursuit of greater artistic mastery in New York, to his prominence in Cebu’s art scene. All his work freehanded, created both with his left and right hand, depicts the ways in which we all leave traces of ourselves in our work and in the world.

A Friend of Mine 1979 | watercolor on paper | 24×18 inches

In a Relaxed Mood 1977 | water color on paper | 16×19.5 inches

The opening ceremony featured Ambassador Jose Mari Cariño, alongside special guests Ivy Ang Gabas, Paolo Li, Angbetic Tan, Laurie Bouquiren of the Visayas Art Fair, and Valerie Go of Galerie Raphael Cebu. The exhibit is open until March 21, 2025.

Arts & Culture

Art Fair Philippines 2025: A Celebration of Creativity

by Emcee Go

Art Fair Philippines 2025 transformed the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City into a dynamic showcase of contemporary and modern art. From February 21 to 23, art enthusiasts and collectors were treated to an eclectic mix of visual masterpieces, interactive installations, and thought-provoking exhibits.

This year’s fair features an impressive lineup of local and international galleries, including renowned names like Leon Gallery, Metro Gallery, Orange Project, J Studio and from Cebu, Qube Gallery.