Inauguration of the FPPF Art Chamber 2 at Fort Santiago. At the front, left to right are: Ariel Tresvalles of YKL Color Philippines/Fujifilm, Mr. Hugo Lambrechts, Counsellor of the South African Embassy in Manila, Dept of Tourism Director Cynthia Lazo and Catherine H. Rinoza - RMCCI Camera Club President. At the back are Mr. John Ching of the FPPF Committee, Father Lieva who officiated in the blessing, movie director Romy Vitug of the FPPF Board of Directors and Lito Beltran, Project Director of the FPPF.
The FPPF inaugurated its second Art Chamber at Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila last week (June 27) even as it marked the birthday of Mr. Lito Beltran, FPPF Director. The FPPF Art Chamber 2, just like the first one, will serve as an art gallery to display the winning photos of various camera clubs as well as serve as venue for the photography workshops that the Federation is conducting on a regular basis.
The cavernous interior of the FPPF Art Chamber 2. On the walls are some of the images of South Africa, taken during a recent trip there by FPPF Chairwoman Edi Huang, Project Director Lito Beltran and Committee Member Maria Macabio.
Guests to the blessing and inauguration included Mr. Hugo Lambrechts, Counsellor of South African Embassy in Manila. At the time of the Chamber 2 inauguration, the FPPF was displaying photos of South Africa taken last month by FPPF photographers Edi Huang, Lito Beltran and Maria Macabio. The photos in the gallery displayed images of wild animals like zebras, wildebeests, hippos, rhinos, and even a rare albino lion all in the wild. South Africa of course is more than wild animals. In the capital, Johannesburg, for instance are modern buildings, a bustling financial district, skyscrapers and the trappings of a modern metropolis. The FPPF photos also showed these.
Among the breathtaking sights were those of the almost complete and very large main football stadium taken from the air in a helicopter by the FPPF photographers. South Africa is host next year to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The South Africa photos were also presented via an audio-visual presentation inside the FPPF Art Chamber 2.
FPPF Chairwoman Edi Huang presents to South African Counsellor Hugo Lambrechts a canvas collage of the South African images. Looking on is FPPF Project Director Lito Beltran.
Some of the guests in attendance, during the merienda at Fort Santiago after the blessing and inauguration.
During the event, the FPPF celebrated Mr. Lito Beltran’s birthday. The guests sang to him the traditional Happy Birthday song and wished him well.
Blowing the candles on his cake, Lito Beltran protests that he's only 68. But how do you argue with a birthday cake?
