[Clockwise from top: Mr. Bartolome together with the Ambassador and the poetry readers; Ms. Maura David reads “Sampayan” by Rio Alma accompanied by Mr. Mark Galacio; Mr. Bartolome sings “Nena;” Ms. Coté reads “Sinampay” by Bien Lumbera.]

1 August 2017, Ottawa – In celebration of the Philippines’ “Buwan ng Wika,” the Philippine Embassy in Canada form ally opened today “Sampayan,” a solo art exhibit by Banyuhay singer Heber Bartolome at the Embassy’s Mindanao Hall. The exhibit, which runs from 1 – 15 August 2017, features an eclectic collection of Mr. Bartolome’s works, from the early days of the band Banyuhay to more recent works from his travels abroad.

 “Collectively, the paintings in this exhibit reflect the metamorphosis of the Filipino language and how the latter continues to bind the consciousness and strengthens the identity of Filipinos near and far,” Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila P. Garcia stated during the vernissage.

The program included a reading of poetry written in honor of Mr. Bartolome’s works by some of the Philippines’ eminent poets. Filipino community members Thelma Rogers, Nora Lezada Coté, Miguel Moreno and Maura David read “Sampayan” by Pete Lacaba, “Sinampay” by Bien Lumbera, “Reta-retaso” by Krisp Yuson, and “Sampayan” by Rio Alma, respectively. The program was capped with a rendition of Banyuhay’s song “Nena” by Mr. Bartolome. –END--