• Office of Minority Leader Edcel C. Lagman
• 0916-6406737/0918-9120137
• Official Website: http://www.edcellagman.com.ph
• 16 May 2011

           The members of the House Minority are sponsoring the 10-day fund raising art exhibit of the Japan-inspired works of multi-talented Filipino artist Manuel D. Baldemor from 16 to 26 May 2011 at the North Wing Lobby of the House of Representatives.

           Minority Leader Edcel C. Lagman explained that the exhibit aims to “help contribute meaningfully to the relief efforts in Japan after it was devastated by the earthquake-tsunami twin tragedies in March.”

           Lagman disclosed that “Mr. Baldemor has committed 50% of the proceeds of the sales of his rare paintings inspired by the Japanese springtime landscape to the Japanese Red Cross.”

           Minister Motohiko Kato, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Japan representing the Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe, and Mr. Shuji Takatori, Director of the Japan Foundation in Manila, were the guests of honor at the opening ceremonies of the art exhibit led by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr.

           Baldemor is noted for his versatility in various media. He is not only a renowned painter but is also a highly talented sculptor, printmaker, writer and book illustrator. He has held a record of over 100 one-man shows in museums and galleries in the Philippines and around the world in countries such as the United States, Spain, Germany, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, Japan, China, Korea, Singapore, Israel and Egypt, to name a few.

          He is considered an exceedingly prolific and productive visual arts artist and is one of the most highly-regarded contemporary Filipino painters today.