Mc Richard Paglicawan
Celia Diaz Laurel is an artist par excellence, prolific stage actress, writer, poetess, set and costume designer for more than six decades.
Just recently, a treasure trove of her artworks on different subjects were launched via a coffee table book aptly titled ‘The Colors of My Life Celia Diaz Laurel – Painter’ at the Executive House, U.P. Diliman, Q.C. The book was launched by the UP College of Fine Arts Alumni Foundation Inc. (UPCFAAFI) headed by its President, Romeo Carlos. Special guests of honor were UP President Alfredo Pascual who delivered the keynote address and his wife Menchu Pascual, who led the ribbon cutting ceremonies together with noted visual artist Araceli ‘Cheloy’ Dans and world-class sculptor Ramon Orlina.
At the short program, the Laurel children led by Cocoy Laurel, Iwi Laurel, Suzie Delgado, Lynnie Castillo joined the U.P. Singing Ambassadors with Prof. Ed Manguiat conducting, for the song “The Prayer” (in Tagalog). Special guest performer is Manila Philharmonic Orchestra Concert Master and violinist Giovanni Bobisse. For her part, Celia Diaz Laurel expressed her happiness and joy by singing “ The Colors of My Life ” from the Broadway musical ‘Barnum.’ The unexpected turn-out of her guests from the academe and the arts, to the government and private sectors of the society all the more made the book launch a success. Celia Diaz Laurel also signed the copies of the book which made it all the more personal for the book lover.
The Colors of My Life Celia Diaz Laurel – Painter is divided into two major sections. The first part of the book contains five chapters of the author’s personal memoirs of her early childhood in Talisay, Negros Occidental up until she moved to Manila for secondary education at Assumption Convent. The author also shared her anecdotes as a budding artist, and her college years at the University of the Philippines – College of Fine Arts located in Padre Faura. Her intrinsic talents in painting, poetry, acting were honed and brought to the forefront. Even her extra-curricular activities were worth remembering. The author also pays tribute to the different men and women that helped shape the life she has lived. The vignettes were written unabashedly with wit and humor which all the more makes the book easier to read. This also served as the background of the courtship of her ardent admirer Salvador Laurel Jr. Another interesting chapter was the author’s tutelage from the Masters Fernando Amorsolo and Guillermo Tolentino — her professors who helped mold the brand of artistry that she now carries. The final chapter dealt on her life at the U.P. Diliman campus.
Part Two aptly titled “My Works in Art” chronicles the evolution of the author’s creative artistry and prolific mastery in painting as vividly executed in a variety of subjects: Portraits – from the Diaz and Laurel clan; Personalities that continue to inspire her – like Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and her mentor Fr. James B. Reuter S.J.; foreign dignitaries; friends, figures, still life, flowers and Mother Nature.
The creative and production team of ‘The Colors of My Life Celia Diaz Laurel – Painter’ is composed of the following: Efren M. Yambot (Editor); Cocoy Laurel (Art Director); Nestor A. Malgapo, Jr. (Book Design & Cover); Annie Jaramillo Gaw (Front cover photo); Miriam R. Castillo (Project Manager), Steve Bascos (Asst. Project Manager), Giant Technologies Automation, Gadgets and Solutions, Edward Go and Gilbert Dimson (Photography); and Raffy Sanz (Technical Support). For inquiries, please contact Corito Melotindos at 869-7298 and 478-0575.
