The Colors of Incredible India is a poignant memory for the Filipino-Indian community as the affair was graced by His Excellency Jaideep Mazumdar, Indian Ambassador to the Philippines.
The theme of the commemoration was “Peace and Security” inspired by the 550th birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founder of the Sikh religion and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, otherwise known as Mahatma Gandhi.
This is the third celebration of Filipino-Indian Month. The first was in 2009 to celebrate the “Centennial of Baguio: A melting pot of cultures,” which was done at SM Baguio. The second was last year with theme, “Unity in Diversity” at the Baguio Museum, and this year is the commemoration of the 550th birthday anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, being celebrated by the Government of India nationally and internationally.
The Ambassador released the commemorative stamps. All the celebrations were spearheaded by Ram Sharma, a core group member of the Baguio Museum, with Deepak Punjabi since 2009 when Filipino-Indian community had their first celebration Bollywood style. All events were sponsored by the members of the Filipino-Indian community in partnership with the Baguio Museum headed by Councilor Fred Bagbagen, counting it as one of its institutionalized events of the year.
Guru Nanak and his disciples in order of their pedigree or succession were: 1st – Guru Nanak Dev. Ji (1469-1539), 2nd – Guru Angad Dev, Ji (1539-1552), 3rd – Guru Amar Das Ji (1552-1574), 4th – Guru Ram Das Ji (1574-1581), 5th – Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1581-1606), 6th – Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji (1606-1644), 7th – Guru Han Rai Ji (1644-1661), 8th – Guru Harkshan Ji, 9th – Guru Tegbahadur Ji, 10th – Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Living Guru – Granth SaSahih Ji and the Book.
If you want to witness the actual religious activities, you may go to the Indian Temple at Ferguson headed by Paul Lalwani who also celebrated Indian Day on Oct. 19.
This year’s focus are two painting murals.
One is about Guru Nanak and his disciples and the other one is about the life of Mahatma Gandhi, starting as a young lawyer in London to the start of his non-violent protest or civil disobedience, which include the Salt protest, Dandi March, and the Quit India movement until his assassination by Naturam Godse.
The mural was done by 10 architecture students of the University of Baguio, namely Junnces Amagsila, Vic Arthur Calalung, Princes de Leon, Jenny de Vera, Dan Guzman Galera, Joel Malecdan, Ma. Luz Nieveras, James Postanes, Rianne Ramil, and Kyra Tiqui.
The mural of 10 exhibits was done with the guidance of Arch. Michael John Astudillo, United Architects of the Philippines Summer Capital and was curated by Gemma Estolas and Romy Macanas.
The exhibit will be until Dec. 8. We invite students of history to come and visit this unique exhibit at the Baguio Museum. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
May 16, 2024
