Gilbert "On Tour" - Sort Of: Linking Culture and Architecture in UST

- October 24, 2016, Monday.

- I've always wanted to try many new things in the academic world, and in my general field of study - cultural studies, the possibilities are just endless. Though in my home university I handle classes on history, popular culture, and mass media, my interests go beyond those things. Today was one of those opportunities to try something new.

The nice poster they made for the talk.

- My friend Jayzel from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) College of Architecture asked if I was available and if I was willing to give a talk to architecture students of their university; the event was organized by UST Scarlet - Architecture, one of the student organizations of their college. Now, I do appreciate architecture and I always make it a point to visit architectural wonders when I travel, but I wouldn't be able to explain the technicalities of the structures since I wasn't trained to be an architect. However, Jayzel assured that the talk was more of a cultural understanding of architecture rather than the technical aspect of architecture. With this, I agreed. I was even more excited when I found out that the president of her organization was my cousin Rych.

- Today, after having lunch with Jayzel, I went to the Beato Angelico AVR to do my talk. I was met by a lively crowd of college students aspiring to be some of the country's next architects. The architecture program of UST was established in 1930 and is one of the oldest architectural programs in the country (UST itself being the third oldest university in the country.) Currently, it is also one of the two "Centers for Excellence" in the field of architecture, the other being the University of the Philippines Diliman architecture program.

Eager learners.

- I started my (rather casual) talk around 2pm, and the talk was mostly me bombarding them with photos of different architectural wonders around Asia. The point of my presentation was to show that architectural styles reflect religious and cultural backgrounds, and that palaces and religious structures are usually made the most iconic structures in the state as they stand as cultural, religious, and political symbols of the state. Until today, most structures that wish to have cultural aspects in their buildings (making a building look "Chinese," "Japanese," or "Indian" for example) usually go back to religious structures (i.e. temples, mosques, churches, etc.) or sometimes palaces as studies or inspirations for the buildings being planned. Similarities in architectural styles also present historical and cultural flows, providing implications on other cultural aspects like art, music, language, clothing, even food.

That's me. I look serious here but the talk way casual. Let's just say it wasn't your regular academic talk. 

Recycling some photos from my history PPTs. Yay.

- During the open forum I was given intelligent questions on relating architecture (and culture in general) to identity, the Filipinos' ignorance on precolonial Filipino cultures and architecture, trends of colonization, among others. I was happy that these relevant questions were brought up since these are not always addressed in social studies classes even in primary or secondary school.

Keep 'em questions comin'.

- After the talk, Rych handed a very generous token of appreciation (thank you so much!) and I had a photo op with the whole audience with UST Scarlet - Architecture adviser, Architect David Yu. Some students approached me afterwards to ask more questions, and I gladly answered them. I was happy to know that they were not too overwhelmed with all the details, especially since my whole lecture was sort of like my one-semester history class crammed in a two-hour lecture. I tried to keep it simple anyway; quality over quantity.

Hello cousin Rych.

With Architect David Yu, and the lively students.

Yay for friendship, thanks for having me Jayzel.

- I had to say my goodbyes to Rych and Jayzel after the talk, and walked around the university to take some photos. Until today, the main building of the university (the one with the cross, and the church is the one WITHOUT the cross,) is still one of my favorite colonial structures in Metro Manila.

UST Main Building. Reminds me of Hogwarts.

Main Building, school name, school mascot.

- Though I'm currently quite tired from that afternoon lecture, I am still hoping that I do get to have more chances to talk about topics like this one - related to my field but not necessarily what I'm always used to teaching. As an academic, it is a good breather from the usual topics I discuss in my classes, and more importantly, an opportunity for me to broaden my knowledge on the field that I'm interested in.

The Tame Diwali Mela: Celebrating Diwali at SM Mall of Asia

- October 15, 2016, Saturday.

- Lights welcomed and illuminated Saturday evening at the SM Mall of Asia despite the rain. After another year, the pan-Indian Festival of Lights or "Diwali" was celebrated once again in the mall's Music Hall. Strange enough, the event was held two weeks prior to the actual date of Diwali; the Indian community holds this big Diwali Mela around a week before or after Diwali. As always, various Indian stalls selling (mostly northern) Indian food, services, accessories/jewelry, and Indian souvenirs. Because of the light rain foreshadowing the big storm that's about to hit the country, there were slightly less people who attended than the usual. However, the number of attendees was still quite overwhelming.

Event poster.

Hello my people.

- My neighbor Charmaine and I arrived at the venue just as the Jana Gana Mana (the Indian national anthem) was being sung. Afterwards, opening speeches were done, with the most notable one from the ambassador himself, His Excellency L.D. Ralte. I was not able to take a photo with the ambassador in the Diwali even this year because he left the venue moments after his speech (a very busy man, he is.)

Neighbors unite!!

Kashmir Restaurant stall.

Doing the puja for the goddess Lakshmi, perhaps the most auspicious goddess of the festival.

His Excellency L.D. Ralte.

- While waiting for the performances to start, Charmaine and I grabbed some Indian food for dinner, while the lines were still not that long. I also bought a very cheap bindi set and gave it to Charmaine. I stuck three on heart forehead to at least give her the Indian feel - she wasn't in an Indian costume while I was in my pink kurta.

Charmaine had samosas with I had chicken biryani.

With three bindis. I liked how her shirt and earrings were kind of Indian as well. Her blouse reminded me of peacock feathers.

Eyes on me (of my forehead.)

- This year, I felt that the Diwali program was a lot simpler than last year's (click here for last year's). The numbers were significantly less, and most of the numbers were done by Filipinos doing Indian numbers. For the Indians who performed, most of them were Punjabi, unlike before when there would be a more diverse Indian representation in the performances. For those who don't know, India has 29 states each with their own diverse cultures. In the Philippines, the two main groups of Indians are the Sindhis and the Punjabis, although there are a handful of those coming from all the other states. Since 2012, I have been attending the Diwali Mela (except 2013), and so far last year's Diwali was the most diverse. Despite that, the Indian community was able to organize a fantastic set of performances. Interestingly, the performances leaned more on pop culture (i.e. Bollywood) than traditional culture. The traditional aspects of the performances mostly leaned towards the Punjabi bhangra culture. (Bhangra is a Punjabi folk dance). Well, a little bit of bhangra can liven up the world, right?

A tableau showing Rama and his companions (his wife Sita, his brother Lakshman, and the monkey god Hanuman who is a follower of Rama.)

Statues of Krishna and Radha from the Hare Krishna booth.

Modern Indian song-and-dance number.

Another contemporary song-and-dance number. 

Ms. Ritu Wasu from SingIndia Music for the Soul and his Filipino backup dancers. (Yay for Fil-Indian friendsip!!)

A short bhangra demo class!!

- Speaking of bhangra, the finale was a bhangra performance by Lions of Manila Bhangra Group. The Lions of Manila Bhangra Group is perhaps the most prominent professional bhangra group in Metro Manila. This group usually does the final number for public Indian events in Manila, and afterwards, the dance will is open to all. Usually, this is the time when many of the Indians will just go crazy with endless bhangra music for an hour more or so before going home.

More bhangra!!

Probably the perfect shot of the night.

- I liked how to it was not as hot as usual, thanks to the breeze from the light-rainy weather, and I am even happier that my neighbor Charmaine was able to enjoy her first Diwali Mela. "You've always told me stories about the Diwali Mela, but I was finally able to experience it myself," she told me. I do hope that more of the people in this world will have a curiosity for India and Indian cultures (or any country and any country's culture/s in general). It makes us understand the world more.