El Dia...Parte Dos

where was I? Oh, yes...

Having sated our artistic curiosity with the tour of the galleries, it was time to turn our attention to the symposium. Kaya nga pumunta kami dun eh. When the participants returned after the museum tour, the open forum was begun wherein the various assembled participants could ask questions to the panel of experts assembled.

Checking the contents of our handouts, I was able to review the topics discussed in the previous lectures. The first was given by a lady Spanish scholar who endeavors to reconcile the various foreign views regarding the Philippines during Spanish colonial times. This was, from what I could gather from the summary of her presentation, an attempt to reconcile both the Filipino and Spanish viewpoints with regard to our history -- to give an "internationalist" scope in presenting the history of colonial Philippines. There was some discussion regarding the impression of Spanish times as "bad" and "abusive" times but what was stressed is the cooperative effort in figuring out this important period in our history. How this can be done without eliciting an emotional reaction or response, especially from the Filipinos, I do not know...

Another lecture was about the works of a Spanish writer by the name of del Pan. The gentleman who gave the lecture on the topic was not pelted by too much questions. But looking at the bibliography of sources appended to the lecture summary I was impressed at the sheer number of works cited. So this is what it means to make a dissertation...hmmmmmm...

After having dispensed with the academic banter, it was now time for the book raffle. YAY! Earlier, when one of the panelists was engaged in a rambling lecture, Eli and I decided to loiter at the corridor and take a look at the books displayed at the entrance. They were book spublishde by the NHI and I saw some very interesting titles: a Frenchman's account of 19th century Philippines, a collection of works by Lopez-Jaena, and a Biography of Apolinario Mabini written by Prof. Cesar Majul.

Eleazar, on the other hand, was busy pestering the attendant. Fortunately, the lady seated at the display table was a good-humored person and was game to our antics. Eleazar was quite the goofball and charmer haha matinik si Eli sa chicks...

After a few minutes of nonsensical banter at the book display, we seated ourselves at our tables since it was time for one of the most awaited events...

THE BOOK RAFFLE! I was quietly hoping to get the French account of 19th c. Philippines. Though the books were priced at a bargain, it wouldn't hurt to get a freebie...

Malas namin, walang nanalo sa amin hahahaha the numbers kept avoiding us. The emcee would call out various combinations of numbers but never our ticket numbers.

The brief interlude before the dinner marked an opportunity for the guests to make their way to the book display and make their purchase. When I made my way to where the crowd was, I discovered to my dismay that the French guy's account was already gone -- nawala ang lahat ng kopya na parang bula! Luckily, there was a lone copy of Mabini left and this I swiped off the table with greedy hands, together with Lopez-Jaena. Waldas Index strikes again hehe

DINNER TIME! the first time we lined up at the buffet table was a fluke...turned out the invited singers were given the time to have dinner prior to their performace. A night of Spanish songs was scheduled after dinner and surely the assembled chanteurs need their calories hehe After the singers have partaken of the food, it was a wild dash to the buffet table. The food was muy bueno y delicioso. My fave were the macaroons hahaha Nakadalawang balik ako ng dessert stand. Not surprisingly, Eli was chatting up the pretty caterers...para madagdagan ang servings niya, no doubt...

DINNER CONVERSATION CLASSIFIED -- basta it has something to do with verduras y montañas...and a telephone's dial tone. hehehe

I did not stick around for the singing, unfortunately. Another group of MA students invited me to join their group as they will be returning to UP after dinner. Since Eli has other plans (which will remain classified) I took my leave of the boys and escorted the ladies as we went outside in search of transportation. The original plan was for the four of us (me, Ate Lualhati, Ma'am Cecile, lady-with-no-name) to take a taxi. It was decided to take a jeep instead since there were few available taxis in the area.

THE TRIP BACK TO QUEZON CITY TOOK MORE THAN AN HOUR! SH*T! sumakit ang pwet ko sa tagal ng upo sa jeep. The traffic was a terrible way to end the day. But nevertheless, the events during Fil-Spanish friendship day were quite interesting and informative. Plus, I have two new books to add to my collection.

Now, to lobby Prof Llanes to give us participants incentives...por favor, Señor Llanes!