Practice Makes Progress

Almost a week since I did the first drawing exercises, following instructions from Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, I'm now on chapter 4. (I switched editions, and "The Definitive, 4th Edition" is a friendlier, less scholarly read.) This chapter has the exercise that Chris had described and got me curious: copying an image upside down. The book proposes that seeing an image right-side up automatically triggers our Left Brain to assign labels to everything, and with those labels come our own interpretations of things based on personal experiences. What it wants is for the reader to try engaging the imaginative Right Brain, ignoring the analytical Left Brain, so that we draw what we see, just as we see it, free of our own opinionated interferences.

SPOILER ALERT

If you want to try reading the book and doing all the exercises, you may not want to see what I drew, so you'll be a clean slate when you do it yourself. Although, the author did share an anecdote of a student who did it twice by mistake, still producing the desired results even if s/he had already seen the original image. Proceed with discernment =)

The book presented a portrait of Igor Stravinsky, drawn by the Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, oriented upside down. My brain immediately tried to recognise the picture, but I tried to suppress it. So although I knew it was of a person, I tried to see it as nothing but lines and curves, as I was supposed to. The average duration of activity was 45 minutes, but I took almost 2 hours, starting at 11:37 am and ending at 1:20 pm. I made two attempts, the first I discarded almost halfway, because I was unhappy with my attention to proportion. Being more cognizant of that weakness, I tried again. When I was finished, I turned both drawings and looked at them right-side up for the first time. I was pretty pleased with the similarity I achieved... I mean, that's a freaking Picasso!

My version of Picasso's Igor Stravinsky

The original: Portrait of Stravinsky by Picasso (photo taken from Wikipedia)

Having now done the first few exercises, I realised that my biggest disadvantage was and is my impatience. Considered a Left Brained trait, I was just too aware of time ticking away, thinking about how badly I must be doing, and I gave up on the tasks very quickly, not wanting to fix parts I could see weren't precise.  As mentioned, my spatial abilities are not very sharp and I have difficulty with proportions; so in my drawing, Stravinsky's (anatomic) right shoulder is higher than the left, and the hands became chunkier to compensate at that point (I copied from top to bottom of the lopsided image.) I also made him look mad, oops! 

But like Dory said, "Just keep swimming;" and yesterday, while talking to Macy about calligraphy, she was encouraging me (as she so often does) to keep practicing. Practice, indeed, makes progress. 

Art, Adventure, and Tapestry

The National Museum of the Philippines has many regional branches, but I've only been to the National Art Gallery in Manila. I first went when I was a freshman, though my memories  are now limited to the picture my block took on its front steps. Admission had been free until only recently, when they started charging entrance fees; and rightfully so, because the museum needs and deserves continuous funding for its maintenance and the restoration of the artwork it houses. October is Museums and Galleries month, so they decided to open their doors to the public for free again. I last went at the end of June, in the process of getting into character for Spoliarium, the opera by Ryan Cayabyab. Ryan and I decided to go yesterday because we had tickets for a show that night, at the same venue!

Almost sunset, our flag flapping in the wind 

First on the agenda was Juan Luna's Spoliarium, a 166 inches x 302.2 inches oil on canvas. No matter how I try to describe how large it is to first-timers, it never prepares them when they see it from across the room. I've seen this piece three times by now; and every time I saw it, I was at different points in my life, having a different perspective that helped me gain new appreciation of it. The first time I saw it, I was struck by how majestic it was, not merely because of its sheer size, but because of its dark, gruesome, ancient Roman theme. A couple of months ago, having studied the painter's tragic life, I considered what his art had meant in that tumultuous time of the Philippine revolution, with so many of his friends and compatriots dying; and then wondering how that had affected his personal life in the following years, when he was said to have lost his mind and killed his wife and mother-in-law. Yesterday, my mind was full of the text I'd been reading about drawing, and I was taking note of his use of lines, looking closely at his strokes, thinking about where and how he had started on that gigantic canvas. My mind can't comprehend that kind of genius just yet. 

In fact, going around the galleries yesterday, even with my short and shallow exposure to the techniques of drawing, it was like I was seeing the artwork with new eyes. The collections were so extensive, I couldn't linger on a single piece for very long; but there were some that made me stay a while longer. My favourites were Amorsolo's "Children Playing in the River" (for its nostalgia, softness, and movement and reflection of water,) Ben Cab's "Sabel" (for its boldness,) Joya's "Ethereal Aura" (for its luminescence and mystery,) Manansala's "Bayanihan" (for its texture,) one of Luna's less popular landscapes (because of its beautiful sky, that doesn't look as magical up close,) Ocampo's "Mission Accomplished" (for its storytelling,) works by Nena Saguil (for their distinct character,) and artefacts from the artists, like diaries, pens, and palettes. 

Children Playing in the River, Amorsolo

Sabel, Cabrera

Ethereal Aura, Joya

Bayanihan, Manansala

(landscape,) Luna

Mission Accomplished, Ocampo

Ben Cab's palette of shot glasses

E.A. Cruz's artefacts

A palette passed on from Francisco to several other artists, finally painted on by Galicano

On a side note, in a previous visit, my friends and I had noted from several paintings that Luna didn't do hands very well. When we saw this painting of a soldier, we couldn't help but laugh, because he seemed to have just given up on his right hand! It's somewhat comforting to know that even the best have their weaknesses.

Handless soldier! ;) 

We stayed until they had closed the gallery lights on us at 5:00 pm. The concert wasn't scheduled to start until 7:30 pm, so Ryan and I decided to grab a bite at a nearby mall. Everyone we asked had said it was a walkable distance from the museum, but no one told us that there weren't any crosswalks along the way. So, in true Manila spirit, we crossed a bridge with very low railing, jaywalked across a main road, where plenty of vehicles were speeding, followed an incorrect tip to go under a tunnel, passed many street vendors with stolen phones and accessories, but eventually arrived safely at our destination. 

At the mall, inspired and feeling ambitious, I stopped by a craft store and bought drawing/writing materials. After a quick snack and three very tall glasses of iced fruit juices (we were thirstier than we anticipated,) we planned on taking a trike back to the museum. Except, the trikes outside wanted to dupe us, asking me for P100 for a trip that was less than 500m away (note: Ryan did't even open his mouth, so he thought I wouldn't think this were extortion?!) More confident of the way this time, we walked back with no hitches.

The Philippine Madrigal Singers has been hosting the Madz Et Al. Choral Festival for the past weeks, and last night's show was titled, Tapestry: Philippine Folksongs in Focus. It was held at the Old Senate Session Hall, a beautiful, high ceilinged chamber on the third floor of the museum.

5 choirs with the Philippine Madrigal Singers, a ka Madz Et Al.

From my understanding, the Madz Et Al. is the fellowship of the different groups being handled by Madz alumni. The Madrigals have always been reputed to expect a high level of musicality from their members, so it's no surprise that each one has passed on his/her musical excellence to their respective choirs. Last night was food for the soul, the kind you can only get from hearing voices in harmony. I had only heard of one choir in the line up, but the others didn't disappoint. I was slightly confused by the repertoire, expecting purely folk songs; but unless I'm mistaken with the genres, each group sang a mixture of folk and spiritual songs.

Philippine Merchant Marine School Choir
Luninging San Jose (Conductor)

This group had clear tones, and showed lots of potential. They also had a soprano that sang her lines so effortlessly. There was a lack of confidence in their performance, which was evident in their indecisive entrances and ends of phrases. Some female voices in the middle could be more careful with their intonation (just upon observation, they can try opening their mouths a little more?) and in total, the group can improve on their English diction. The arrangement of Balot (by Bello) that they sang, while sung well, lost the playfulness that I love from the song. 

Magsaysay Chorale
Jose Emmanuel Aquino (Conductor)

The next choir had no problems with confidence, looking comfortable on stage. Even as the men were outnumbered 4 to 7, they were not overpowered by the women; but there was something off about the overall balance that I only figured out at the end. They sang an arrangement of Bridge Over Troubled Water that I was familiar with, and  realised I couldn't really hear their altos. The ladies could also have blended better if they had made their vocal productions more uniform. There were shaky moments in the harmony (and lyrics,) but they had moments of cohesion when they sounded their best: warm and seasoned. 

Scelto Voce Chorale
Christopher Borela (Conductor)

I didn't know what to expect when I saw they only had 5 ladies in the group, but all were very strong singers. They had a good balance of voices, despite their uneven ratio. I especially loved their rendition of Caritas et Amor, it was easy to ignore the depleted breath at the very last chord. More important than the near perfection of their performance was their giving the already beautiful arrangement justice by knowing when to be intensely still, to allow soaring in the parts where it was demanded. The very rhythmic Kruhay was done with precision, because when done wrong would have sounded chaotic, but done just right was powerful.

Technological Institute of the Philippines Choral Society
Jose Emmanuel Aquino (Conductor)

They opened their set with a strong Sanctus. Apart from their solid soprano section, I really liked how all the members sang with such enjoyment. They all wore pleasant smiles as soon as they stepped on stage. They also appeared to have a high regard for their conductor, following his instructions sensitively, effectively producing their delightful polyphony.

Ili-ili, one of my favourite and hauntingly beautiful folk songs, had an arrangement that was unexpected, but not entirely unwelcome; only slightly disorienting with its shifts to the major keys. 

Novo Concertante Manila
Arwin Tan (Conductor)

Last to perform was my friend's choir, evidently a favorite with the audience if based on applause alone. I've seen them many times, and they've gotten consistently better each year. Their best asset is their vocal control and adherence to their conductor's dynamics, which they all do with practiced synchrony. This was the first time I heard them sing Pagtulog Na Nene, and it was so soothing, ending with a broad climax. I'd always liked their version of Aud Lang Syne, and I imagine I'd bawl my eyes out if I heard this and I were away from my family on a cold, December evening. The soloist had a nice voice, but it unfortunately didn't travel all the way to the back. Unlike the two other choirs that night, they did not rely on the strength of a few soloists, but stood out as a well-rehearsed chorus.

They capped the evening by calling out some of the Madrigals to perform with all 5 choirs, led by Conductor Mark Carpio. Lovely, lovely evening. It made me miss my choir days so much, I'm thinking if I should join one again!

Reading/Drawing/Styling

If there's anything that can be done one day at a time, it's learning. I advocate the thinking that anything can be learned, even skills that people insist are dependent on talent, like singing, dancing, and writing. Sure, talent makes it so that there is a predisposition to a skill, but with enough attention to the right procedure and plenty of practice, I think every skill can be developed. 

I've always envied visual artists, those that can replicate the world around us, and especially those that can transfer their own imaginings onto canvas. I've often wondered how it would be like if I could just draw or paint all my thoughts! Wild. 

I don't think I'm terrible at drawing, in fact I can draw enough to give semblances to my target images; but I have obvious problems with proportions and depth (and, well, patience.) Last weekend, over sandwiches and beer, my friends and I got to talking about arts and crafts. I somehow had shared that I wasn't good at visual arts, and was frustrated by drawing. Chris started to excitedly describe a book, whose author supposedly guarantees that everyone can learn how to draw, and draw well. He gave a very rough gist, but enough to pique my interest, because here I am two days later, on the third chapter.

After a short introduction on the basis of the teaching technique (which read like a research journal or some other academic paper,) it went on to listing the materials needed for the drawing exercises. The first exercise, however, only needed a pencil and paper. I had to draw a 1) self-portrait, 2) a person from memory, and 3) my hand, to serve as a point of comparison when tracking my progress (a ka, "before" drawings. Forgive the scans, I recycled lyric sheets from past productions.)

Self-Portrait: It looks like a person, but it doesn't look like me

Person from memory: Ryan, who ended up looking like Marcos =/ So bizarre, I'd just seen him minutes before, but I couldn't remember a single detail vividly when I tried to bring his face to mind

My hand: strangely disfigured

I think I've proven a point about my drawing skills, or obvious lack of it. I'm hoping I belong to the demographic that this technique works on, and that I'll actually see improvement in my "after" drawings. In the meantime, I'll document this entire project for posterity. 

I've been consciously working on my visual creativity lately, and I mentioned having dabbled in food styling a few weeks ago. Here is the first finished product, as posted on the Chef's Classics Facebook page. It took a leap of faith in myself to accept that project, long hours in the kitchen studio to get things right, and what a great feeling to see it come to fruition. I have so many things to refine, like my taste and my eye for composition; but what's important is I tried it, I learned from it, and I'm willing to do better next time.

Cooked and styled this one-pot Chicken Pilaf to show off @chefsclassics cookware with detachable handles 👌 Entirely new skill set for me, but the guys of @videobybelle made it enjoyable! #LetsCookPH #food

A video posted by Katherine (@kaichypoo) on Oct 5, 2015 at 5:18am PDT

Foul Play

Let me start by saying that though I will try to be objective, I probably won't be, and this post may be driven by my biases as a Filipino, and as an alumna of the University of the Philippines.

Once a year, my school spirit intensifies, and I become an internet troll... only for the UAAP Cheer Dance Competition ;) I think it's because our school had never won, or even contended, in any other major sport, that I defaulted to pouring all my heart and energy into supporting the UP Pep Squad's athletic efforts. It was during my time in college that the Cheer Dance Competition started to gain popularity, and our school enjoyed an era of being undefeated. In more recent years, all the schools have raised their standards so high that it has really become anyone's game; the three teams that have been fighting for the top spot have consistently included UP, UST, and NU. Each year, though I always rooted for my alma mater, the performances had always clearly shown who the deserving winners would be. That's why I was shocked when I discovered that this year's champs were the NU Pep Squad. In fact, after watching their spot, I was sure they wouldn't even place!

Thank you for giving the others a chance this year, NU! #UAAPCDC2015

— K Tiuseco (@Kaichypoo) October 3, 2015

I'm not dissing their entire routine: I loved the strength of their flips and somersaults, the neatness of their lines; but they had at least 5 major errors in their lifts and pyramid formations! (Also, what about that girl who dropped her pepperoni?)

OOGAH OOGAH
What really happened yesterday at NU's performance. Created by micvindelmer (http://twitter.com/micvindelmer) to help him move on. Please have some humor :)
Posted by Michael Vincent Delacroix Mercado on Sunday, October 4, 2015

UST's, on the one hand, was nearly flawless.

Clean, and classier than their usual. Permission to share the podium w the #UPPepSquad too #UAAPCDC2015

— K Tiuseco (@Kaichypoo) October 3, 2015

UP Pep Squad, now here's where my bias comes in, made me feel things! 

Loved the use of Original Pilipino Music for most of the routine, especially UP Naming Mahal! Tatak Iskolar ng Bayan! #UAAPCDC2015 #UPFight

— K Tiuseco (@Kaichypoo) October 3, 2015

It wasn't perfect, pero 'DI RIN MAGBABAGO ANG DAMDAMIN! Ang galing, ninyo, #UPPepSquad ! #UAAPCDC2015 #UPFight

— K Tiuseco (@Kaichypoo) October 3, 2015

... and even inspired a new detail to my long-running fantasy.

If I'm ever presented a prestigious award, I want my walking music to be that electric version of UP Naming Mahal. #Oscars 😜 #UAAPCDC2015

— K Tiuseco (@Kaichypoo) October 3, 2015

Now, I don't want to believe that there was foul play in the judging, but how can that outcome be respected? *sigh*

I took a short break from my fan-girling, and attended a mass service, sponsored by my high school batch. My heart needed that, because a few hours later, I was back home cheering not just for a school, but for our national team. 

Blue dress, these red, blue, yellow, and white shoes #LabanPilipinas #FibaAsiaChampionship2015 pic.twitter.com/zL3bdF4UwB

— K Tiuseco (@Kaichypoo) October 3, 2015

The game had not yet started, and I was already getting riled up over news that the Chinese team had not been following FIBA rules (like having special lodging arrangements,) that administration had made it very difficult for the Filipino entourage to get tickets to the game, and that Gilas was delayed because of their faulty (*ahem*fishy*ahem*) electric car? I knew that game was going to be fought dirty, and I wasn't mistaken. 

Let's show this country that cheaters never win #LabanPilipinas #FIBAAsia2015 Go Gilas!

— K Tiuseco (@Kaichypoo) October 3, 2015

From the second the game started, it became evident that the referee had a preference. Quick to call fouls against the Filipinos, no calls made against the Chinese. The players weren't showing good sportsmanship either, what with their excessive flopping and trash talking (you can tell from their body language and the tension on court.) 

I haven't followed basketball since the 90s, & this game has changed! Acting is now an athletic skill? Those invisible fouls! #FIBAAsia2015

— K Tiuseco (@Kaichypoo) October 3, 2015

In the end, we lost by 11; and it wouldn't have felt so bad if it had been a fair fight. Granted, China's shooting accuracy beat ours, but other factors could've made that match more even. 

That's why this afternoon, with the UP men's basketball team losing to Adamson, our loss was easier to swallow seeing the teams put compassion before victory, there was respect on and off court (especially in that moment when one of our players got injured,) and there was no foul play involved.

Losing isn't so bad when it's to classy gentlemen like the #Adamson team. Great show of sportsmanship! #UAAPSeason78

— K Tiuseco (@Kaichypoo) October 4, 2015

September Surprises

Those last weeks of September just flew by, and I was kept busy by the remaining workouts of the Manila Throwdown, trying out Mystery Manila for the first time, and spending time with family and friends. Some of my best friends' birthdays are in September, as well as my dad's. For my dad's birthday, we hosted a small dinner at home for his high school buddies. Mom, Yaya V, Yaya Rose, and I started cooking as soon as I woke up. On the menu, we had steak, eggplant parmigiana, sardine puttanesca, sweet and sour butterflied tilapia, and mom and I experimented on deep fried apple pies. I was so excited for dessert that night, and was happy to hear that Macy enjoyed it! It went really well with this Silverlake Riesling that my mom brought home from Washington. 

I'm actually not a big fan of apple pie, but this fried apple pie one with kesong puti ice cream was sooo good! 😍 pic.twitter.com/RNmB2d0U8v

— Macy Alcaraz (@macysfields) September 27, 2015

My friend, Anna, had been so busy with her multiple jobs, that her husband wanted to get us involved in planning an early birthday surprise for her. Her post below sums up how it went, and seeing how happy that made her was more than I could ask for.

I HAVE THE BEST HUSBAND AND FRIENDS EVER!!! 😭💕🎉😍 Was feeling bummed that I wouldn't be able to watch the Maroon 5 concert because of work, but then I come home to this amazing surprise that Chris planned with my best friends! I was in tears!!! IT WAS AWESOME AND CRAZY AND BEAUTIFUL AND JUST SUPER SUPER LOVE!!! BEST EARLY BIRTHDAY SURPRISE EVER!! I have the sweetest husband and friends ever. I love you guys so much ❤️ Thank you Chris, my girlies, Ryan, Chuck and Marty for the memorable night! Thank you for capturing the whole thing on video, Marty! Watch the full video and read the full story on my Facebook. I mean, just if you want to. Hahaha! The complete video is super sweet!!

A video posted by Anna Graham (@missusgraham) on Sep 18, 2015 at 3:54am PDT

On her actually birthday salubong, she wanted to host a Mexican night. Chris, her husband, said that Anna had wanted a piñata, and was wondering where he could get an inexpensive one. I volunteered to attempt one,... and got a little ambitious with a macaron peg for Mrs. Graham. 

The finished product: a macaron piñata in the colors of her Salted Caramel flavour

Mini-piñatas for each of my Girlies, represented by their favorite colors. 

Strung on a doorway, with Anna's Mexican table setting in the background.

I made the mini-piñatas with cups, based off a sample I saw on this Brit + Co article. As for the macaron, I had to wing it! If you want to see how I did it, keep reading below, and I uploaded photos, too. Unfortunately, I might've made them too sturdily (for fear of it not holding up) that when we started hitting and pulling them respectively, they didn't break! Overall, it was all such good fun, with very little help from the spiked punch and Bacardi. Anna served chili con carne, quesadillas, tacos, this new Jalapeño-flavored Nova (I love Nova!) with Anapet's salsa. So grateful for these friends of mine.