Calling for Support: VISTA exhibit at the National Museum

VISTA is selling photos to raise funds to cover some of the expenses for the coming exhibit at the National Museum this coming April 2015.  Most of these photographs will be part of the exhibit.  Highlighted will be Bhutan's centuries old sacred artworks called thangkas which were restored by a Filipino Asian Art restorer.  

Proceeds will cover expenses for the Bhutanese monks and guests who will grace the opening of the occasion. (Links to the all photos on sale are included below).  And, with sufficient funds, the monks can stay long enough to build sand mandalas in the senate hall of the National Museum.

VISTA has been doing volunteer work in the beautiful kingdom in the Himalayas since 2010.  In 2012, the group did an unprecedented cross-country photography expedition.  Early this year, the group finished its photography of two ancient temples and presented their work to the Royal Grand Queen Mother of Bhutan Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck. 

A sample exhibit photo (see attached photo) hangs on a wall at the Centro Maginhawa.  Expertly framed with glass cover and signed.  Size of print is 10 inches x 15 inches. Prized at Php7,000 each.  A portfolio of photos can also be viewed in the said clinic (tel. no. 9217649). 

"Bhutan" by Garrie David

ABOUT VISTA: 

VISTA is a multi-disciplinary group of Filipinos whose passion for photography took them on a series of visits to the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan.   It culminated in a 16-day cross-country photographic expedition in the Himalayan kingdom in 2012.   It was a 2000 km journey that started from three entry points: Phuentsholing in the West, Paro and Sangdrup Jongkar in the East. VISTA went on foot, via SUV and horseback exploring mountain villages, farms and shrines. They met people from all walks of life: royal family members, government officials, simple peasants to the rising urban middle class.  

Documenting Bhutan’s Restoration Efforts

VISTA has been supporting the efforts of Ephraim Jose, a US-based Filipino Asian art restorer, who has been helping preserve many of the Bhutan’s national treasures since 2005. VISTA spent a few days in Bhutan to document religious wall art in two temples that are slated for restoration: Phajoding and Dungtse Lakhang. The group’s work will form part of the national archives of the Kingdom of Bhutan.

Dungtse Lakhang is a Buddhist temple in western Bhutan.  Its wall paintings depict traditional Buddhist images together with those of local wrathful deities. It is unique because it is in the form of a chorten. Its Buddhist iconography is also a unique trove of the Drukpa Kagyu school. The Lakhang is located on the edge of a hill between the Paro valley and the Dopchari valley, across the bridge from Paro.  It is scheduled for restoration in 2015.

Phajoding is a complex of temples situated above the city of Thimphu. It is known for its intricate murals that are largely in disrepair due to damage from the elements. Presently closed to the public, Phajoding is reached by a three hour hike on a rough trail frequented mostly by monks and villagers and traders from the surrounding areas.

Members: 

EDILBERTO CONCEPCION  

Eddie takes photographs with film rangefinder cameras. He keeps several photo blogs and has contributed feature articles and photographs to the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Munting Nayon, a Filipino online magazine based in Holland. He is an acupuncturist.
(choice photos for sale: https://flic.kr/s/aHsk3eqXHD)

GABRIEL DAVID

Garrie is a socio political engineer who develops private-public partnerships and manages national networks of sectoral and political groups for electoral and corporate social responsibility. He is also interested in capturing events and stories of people in various marginalized communities--untold stories of their conditions and concerns that will enable others to learn, and reach out to.
(choice photos for sale: https://flic.kr/s/aHsk69acBz)

RICCI JIMENEZ

Ricci is a documentary and street photographer. His works reflect his passion for travel and the curiosity for the uncommon. He has exhibited his photo stories under the Master Class for Documentary Photography at the College of St. Benilde Professional Photography Diploma Course. He is a contributor for various online documentary photography magazines. He works as General Manager for a real estate leasing company.
(choice photos for sale: https://flic.kr/s/aHsk69MrkJ)

CONSUELO PADILLA

Connie is a treasurer for a foundation that gives scholarships to minority college students. She also does ecological information and education campaigns for local governments and other NGO’s. Her interest in travel and portrait photography has enabled her to publish articles and photos in Homestyle, Prodo and Lifestyle magazines.

(choice photos for sale: https://flic.kr/s/aHsk3dPUUd)

ANTONIO RAMOS

Tony is a thoracic surgeon who has been taking photographs since his teens. He likes to capture people’s reactions to their surroundings. Many of his photographs were taken during his travels to attend medical conventions.
(choice photos for sale: https://flic.kr/s/aHsk3etwLZ)

KEITH SUNDIANG

Keith is a civil engineer who is in the property development and management business. His passions include food, landscape and travel photography. His notable photos were featured in WOW Philippines Magazine, Colors travel magazine, Calibre, C! and Asian Spirit Inflight Magazine. He was also the photographer of the Sonya’s Secret Garden coffee table book.
(choice photos for sale: https://flic.kr/s/aHsk6FiEDA)

VISTA with the Bhutanese monks, Ministry of Culture officials and Ephraim Jose in front of Dungtse Lakhang, Paro, Bhutan

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UPDATE: the exhibit was postponed indefinitely for lack of funds.