The Filipino in Me - Insights into Living Heritage
Entry by Antonio (aka Tony/Val) Caday Ludovico. Edmonton, Alberta
Simbang Gabi, Simbang Puto Bumbong
Acrylic on Canvas
It's tradition for Roman Catholics in the Philippines to have the early dawn mass where the music band will go around the town waking up the people that it's time to wake up and time to go attend the early dawn mass. As a growing teenager, it was also a great time to see your puppy love or crush. After the mass, you get something to eat like the famous puto bumbong, bibingkang galapong and hot tea, which I remember the brand "Black Cat Tea".
About the Artist
I'm Antonio Caday Ludovico, born and grew up in the small town of Binan, now a city in Laguna. My parents were Victor Baldemor Ludovico and Concepcion Caday Ludovico. Both were from Paete, Laguna, the Woodcarving Capital of the Philippines. I studied Architecture from University of Santo Tomas and migrated to Edmonton way back in August 1982.
Having a father who's a wood sculptor of religious icons like the famous La Pieta of Nichols Air Base Church and Canlubang Church, with his mentor from Paete too, Master Toti Cagayat that arts is in our blood. Our Dad is related to our National Artist of the Philippines Mr. Manuel Baldemor, who is my uncle and Wilfredo Baldemor, sculptor, were cousins of my Dad.
Our Mom's father, my grandfather/Lolo, hailed also from Paete. He was a master carpenter making those well-known architectural windows known as "Bintana/Window with Capiz Shells". I grew up watching them and very sweet memories of the past which was depicted in my painting "Ala-Ala, Bintana ng Kahapon - Memories, Window of the Past".
Being here in Canada for 40 years that I will not be able to forget the cultures and traditions of being a Filipino. I will always be proud to be one and of our country, regardless of the political status in our country. As I'm getting old, I was inspired to paint this to reminisce on my childhood, picking mangoes on a tree, flying kits in the green fields under the sunny skies and cool breeze. Remembering my pet dog "Puppy" and my pet turtle. I thought being in Canada will make me happy but I knew there's something missing. I missed many of my friends and relatives now that our parents are both deceased and many relatives gone too, that in my sadness, I turned into arts, started to paint.
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