lalafreedomreactions

Reactions from the Sponsors

Thanks so much for the good wishes. Yes, we enjoyed NYork very much, and
we are extremely pleased at the turn-out of the exhibit -- lots of people
during opening day; Ling's reception -- the brief program from ribbon
cutting to Ling's intro of the artist, to Lala's response, Lala's
presentation of a humble token gift for Ling and Prep 65 for sponsoring her
first solo (a framed poster of her exhibit), the fabulous set-up with
flowers and registry table, the wonderful food and wine, the photo sessions
and the many guests (I have to know their names for the follow-up press
photo releases that some papers in Toronto, New York and Manila have asked
us for), people's interest in acquiring her pieces, and an offer from at
least two acquaintances who came to the exhibit lauching to have her
exhibit in a couple of galleries in Soho as well. Lala and family are so
pleased with their wonderful experience. Lala is thanking everyone --
especially Ling and Prep 65 -- for making what she said her dream -- which
is every serious artist's dream -- to have a successful first solo a reality.

I cannot thank Ling and Prep 65 enough for all the support given to Lala.

Lala wants to show her gratitude by sharing her art with you her special
way. (Gusto ba ninyo mural ng Prep 65 sino ang models? yung a-attend ng
reunion sa June? Hehe!, o gusto ninyo solo portrait? ) During her speech,
Ling said Lala was like a god-child of sorts by the Prep 65 class in that
classmates have followed up with her successes in her field. On

Thanks for all those who could come and even those who could not come to
the launching.

We -- our family/families -- will forever be grateful to you all.

Love,
Mila

I heard from Ling that UP Prep Class'65 is well represented at Lala's
opening. I also heard that she is missing her favorite painting. That is
such a shame! Do you think somebody stole it at the Consulate or was it gone
before the exhibit? Poor kid.
I hope you and Hermie enjoyed your NYC trip despite that bad incident.
Keep well.
Love,
Delay

Kasalukuyang may flu ako. In fact when the exhibit was opened last Monday, I
still was on the fringe of getting well but the next day I was back in bed.
The opening went well. Many people came. Rory and family surprised us with
their presence. Elmer, Chi, Rudy and Ester were also there. They met last
night for dinner but I couldn't go because I was in bed with a bad cough and
fever. Mila is back in Toronto. I think Lala was very happy except for one
sad note. Her favorite piece was stolen. It must have happened Monday
morning. The painting was small enough to be placed in a jacket. We are still
investigating but with so many people going in and out, it is unlikely that
it will be found. I just hope that whoever got it will really enjoy it!!!!
Salbahe talaga. Ling

Dear Classmates,

My daughter Lala was invited to exhibit her paintings at the Philippine
Centre in NY by Ling sometime during the early part of her assignment.
Lala gladly accepted the invitation, and the event has been scheduled for
two weeks, from Friday, March 16 to Friday March 30, 2001. Ling and I had
talked about this a while ago: With Ling as the principal sponsor, we
thought we could also have Prep 65 as co-sponsor the event. Sponsorship by
our class would simply mean some kind of moral support for Lala as an
artist and for her art. The artist would have her way of expressing her
gratitude for the honor.

I am attaching some samples of her works. She will display arround 15
pieces, a selection of some of her favourite works since she started
painting at a very early age. She has been exhibiting her works always
with a group, with professional and young artists in Canada, and had been
pursuing art studies on a consistent basis through her teen years and
adulthood. She first took formal art lessons at age 4 (CMLI, QC. and from
art mentors in Manila and Toronto); studied her secondary school at the
Cardinal Carter School for the Arts, major in visual arts; toured (with her
school) some of Europe's major visual art centres when she was 16, and
studied advanced courses at the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the Ontario
College of Arts and Design. She has participated in a number of
exhibitions, the latest with the Philippine Artsts Group, in 99, sponsored
by the Law Society of Upper Canada at Toronto's Osgoode Hall, and has been
commissioned to do art work. A number of her works are now in private
collections in Manila, Toronto and the US. Lala's works were published in Ani (1988),
a publication of the Cultural Centre of the Philippines; and the official publication of an
international youth conference sponsored by the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto
in the mid-90s. She has volunteered her art for youth organizations, and has conducted
art workshops for children. Her NY exhibit, her first solo, will be some kind of a
retrospective of her life in visual arts, which now spans almost 2 decades.

If there is no objection to this idea of co-sponsorship, we will proceed to
work on the invitation (just a simple postcard) indicating what, when,
where, and of course the sponsors. Ling would like to have the invitations
done by mid Feburary so she can distribute and announce the event in the
media. And of course, it goes without saying, you are all invited as
special guests. So please if you are around, near, or planning a trip to
the area, we can have another of our mini-reunions in NY. What better way
to plan for NOTL?

We would appreciate your support on this. This means a lot to Lala, myself
and our family, and of course to our friendships. I told Rory, it would be
nice it this could lead us to plan some kind of an art extravaganza to
fundraise for our class coffers, featuring the art-gifted and art-inclined
children of Prep 65. Our art teachers (Mrs Pangilinan and Mrs. Festin)
will be our special guests.

Anyway, here are samples of her works.

Thank you so much.

Warm regards,

Mila and family

Dear Mila,

Lala's pieces are superb!! I especially liked the woman superimposed on
the butterfly wings, the one of her and you ( I like this the best) and the
one of her and Hermie. Sabihin mo kay Hermie ang guwapo niya doon, machong
daddy!!! But seriously speaking, the great pieces. I can't wait to see the
rest of the paintings!! And of course, I am very honored to be a sponsor of
the exhibition. It is a far cry from what we have been having in the
Center.

Ling
-------------------------
From: Joey S.

Dear Mila;
Your daughter is good! Her works remind me of french impressionistic works.
I would suggest to the group we sponsor her-let me know what else we can do.
Regards to your family.
--------------------------
hi, mila!
congrats for raising such an artistic daughter - shades of van gogh's
sunflowers and all.
jasms girl din ba siya?

pinky
-----------------------------
Mila - of course you can count me in. I do not think any of us will refuse
to have our class be a sponsor for Lala's exhibit. I just downloaded her
art. I will view it later -bec my daughter wants to use the computer.
Love,
Delay
-----------------------------
Dear Mila,

Congratulations for having such a talented daughter! Kanino ba nagmana?
I don't recall your having a painting displayed o pinagusapan man lang sa
walls of UP Prep? Kay Hermie ba? Congratulations to you both. Oh yes, our
Class '65 should sponsor her by all means. May patron na pala siya, no less
than the ConGen herself. Please tell Lala that I wish her the best. I just
love her Sunflower. Type na type ko. Sana makita rin namin ang paintings
niya when we go there this June.

Love,
Ruth
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Subject: Have uploaded Lala's works. Browse

http://geocities.datacellar.net/prep65 and on to the link 'chismis in cyberspace'

Ang gaganda ng paintings!
Magkano kaya magpa-commission ng kahit isang maliit lang?
-----------------------------------
Hi Mila and family,
Just had the chance to view Lala's fine works of art!!! Ang ganda!! You are
so lucky to have a such talented and gifted daughter-artist.
You can count on me... to support this event!! Just let me know how I can be
of help.

Love,
ressie