WELLNESS IN ARTS: Extraordinary Art by Extraordinary People where Disability did not limit Artists' Achievements

The Mu Sigma Phi Fraternity of the UP College of Medicine presented “Obra: An Exhibit,”a benefit show featuring works by differently abled artists, at the Museum of a History of Ideas, UP Manila.
The show, which was part of a larger project called “ObraX: Extraordinary Art by Extraordinary People” whose advocacy revolved around the promotion of the many capabilities of the differently abled, featured 40 paintings made by abled artists Nice So, Christopher Solis and Association of Mouth and Foot Painters (AMFPA) representatives Jovito Sasutona, John Feruelo and Amado Dulnuan.
Dr. Gregorio T. Alvior Jr., an alumnus of the UP College of Medicine, opened the exhibit. He was joined by alumni brothers Dr. Ruter Maralit, Dr. Jose Alvin Mojica, and Dr. Rafael Bundoc with Dr. Josephine Bundoc. In his closing remarks, Dr. Copernico Villaruel Jr., an active supporter of the arts, said disability must not limit a person’s achievements. In a silent auction, guests bid on their favored pieces. Through their paintings, these abled artists were instrumental in reaching out to the pediatric patients of UP-PGH with hearing impairment. Three members of the AMFPA also attended a live exhibition of their talent in mouth and foot painting. Vell Baria, a singer with autism, performed Mutya ng Pasig in the interim. She was also part of “Reverb: Echoing Awareness through the Arts,” a concert featuring the differently abled, still under “ObraX.”
Source: http://www.philstar.com/arts-and-culture/2015/05/25/1457903/obra-manila

PEACE UPDATE: DFA hopes Chinese military to use possible factor to contribute in maintenance of peace and stability

Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose was reacting to the Chinese military white paper that said it might shift its strategy from defense to offense. "We are still studying the latest white paper on military strategy. We hope the Chinese military will use possible factor to contribute in the maintenance of peace and stability in the region," Jose said in a press briefing. Hua Chunying, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, sent a "gentle reminder" to the Philippines that it's not going to bully smaller countries but Manila must not provoke and instigate tensions in the region. She also said the United States, which is sending its most advanced military ship to the region, must stop "inflammatory" activities there.This was after a state-owned Global Times editorial said a war is inevitable between China and the US if Washington doesn't stop demanding Beijing to halt reclamation activities in the disputed Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea. Jose said Washington's increased presence in the region is still part of its rebalance to Asia policy, which was announced at the start of US President Barack Obama's second term."[There's] nothing new with that. The timetable [was] advanced because of the reclamation work that poses threat to freedom of navigation and unimpeded flow of commerce and the marine degradation," Jose said.He added that the Philippines is committed to its diplomatic and legal approach, as well as trying to enhance Manila's defense capabilities. Jose said the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) remains to be the international law that must be followed to resolve the disputes in the sea peacefully. The Philippines brought the sea dispute to the UN Arbitral Tribunal last year.China claims almost 90 percent of the 3.5 million square kilometers West Philippine Sea.

Source:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2015/05/28/philippines-china-use-military-peace-409975