KM1: What Remains, What Disappears: A Worthy Fieldtrip!

Yesterday was the field trip of my nephew in primary school. Their itinerary was the usual- Laguna areas most especially that bread factory. I hope I could bring back the old scheme of fieldtrips- Rizal Shrine, Tandang Sora Shrine, Quezon Memorial Circle, Intramuros, Bahay Nakpil, Museo Pambata, Planetarium add manila Ocean park and all of our other historical/educational sites so that the fee will not be as much as Php 1700.00. there are many better sites than being outside the Metro. Fieldtrips needs to be more "cultural" than bore the kids onlong bus rides, don't you think?

I also went into a fieldtrip as my day was closing. My friend invited me to go to the Fort for an event by the French Embassy last night. Little did I know that this was not the one in Taguig. It was the real FORT! An event by the Alliance Française de Manille and Rustan’s together with the Musée Nicéphore Nièpce, the Quezon City government and the Intramuros Administration in Fort Santiago!

Approaching the gate, the guwardiya sibil asked for our invitates. My friend said " Boss, we wouldn't spend a cab fare if we're not invited!" And so, the guard on duty just asked for our names and said they sound familiar.

Why go to KM 1?

This end of October 2012 is the second installment in a series of photo and video exhibits through Kilometer 1 or KM 1. From last year’s Kilometer Zero or KM 0, the artists’ works were displayed in various public spaces here in the metro such as my Quezon Memorial Circle(QMC), Fort Santiago, and the Metropolitan Museum.

In QMC, large photos on tarpaulins features the works of Filipina photographer MM Yu and French photographer Léa Eouzan which will be displayed throughout the park for an entire October. Léa’s work focuses on what she researched even from the National Archives on the perception of space through memorial and historical sites while MM Yu showcases her best pieces which she said "ironic landscapes presented through ordinary objects". Right on girls! They both have the eyes to see beyond and create that certain beauty and appreciation from untold stories from common things. they were able to convey and be storytellers but leaves the audience to reflect and search that impact.

I was lucky to have a chat with director, teacher, writer, Visayan artist Manny Montelibano who created the audiovisual installation projecting Pinoy optimism at Rajah Sulayman in Intramuros (Fort Santiago). Through this project, he felt closer to our very own national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Manny has been in all smiles even being interviewed. this was how happy he was all throughout the night. And he was very calm and confident that heavy rains may come to the location , but his installation will just be fine- precisely the message he wants to convey about Pinoy's positivity. Another positive impact is that, through this art exhibit, The French Embassy has been able to work closely with the Intramuros Administration on debut. Win- Win!

KM1 created more than Pinoy awareness but a friendship and a dialogue between Filipino and French artists. This also proved that beyond conventional photo exhibit and artworks, it was able to bring art to the people and that the audience, may discover and feel the images outside regular artistic venues.

Kilometer One is part of the French-Philippine cultural season coined as FrancoPhil 2012, with the support of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and Pernod Ricard Philippines, FrancoPhil’s official hotel partner, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, and official media partners Business World and High Life.

How I wish it was seen by their Prime Minister while he visited us lately. Please look at the image to know how long will their runs be at each location.

For more information, please contact Astrid Renoux, Cultural Attaché of the French Embassy in Manila at (02) 857 69 35 or astrid.renoux@diplomatie.gouv.fr.