Celia’s ‘Journey to excellence’

‘Journey to excellence’ is a quote from UP President Alfredo E. Pascual who delivered the main speech at the launching of  Celia Diaz Laurel’s book “The Colors of My Life,” and also from his foreword to the book. The opening remarks by the UP College of Fine Arts director Romeo Carlos described Celia as a most distinguished multi-talented alumna.

There was a large gathering of Celia’s friends and admirers at the UP Executive House where the UP President holds office. Fellow artists included the celebrated Betsy Westendorp and eminent glass sculptor Ramon Orlina.

Celia’s son “Cocoy”, the incomparable total artist, and his youngest sister Iwe led the rest of the Laurel children and the UP Singing Ambassadors in singing patriotic songs which expressed deep love of country and harked back to Celia’s grandfather Domingo Franco, one of the 13 Martyrs of Bagumbayan during the Philippine Revolution. Cocoy also sang a deeply moving solo.

Widow of the former VP Salvador “Doy” Laurel, Celia in her own right excels as painter, actress, stage set and costume designer, and writer.  Prior to the launch, guests viewed some of Celia’s paintings on display.  Herewith is a quote from the Foreword. ”The paintings in the book represent many years, many decades even of her evolution as a visual artist. Her landscapes and still life combine skills with fresh, youthful approach, even the masters might have appreciated.  (In fact, the late National Artist and Professor Amorsolo gave one of her paintings a mark of “excellent” during a college-wide exhibit of paintings by students. Her portraits of people close to her and of celebrities — actresses, statesmen, saints and sinners are nothing if not exquisite.  Celia engagingly writes about herself as a young girl in school as a UP student, Doy’s courtship, and her early marriage as an undergraduate.

Some of Celia’s colleagues were Jose Joya, Napoleon Abueva, both named National Artists, Sanso, “Pitoy” Moreno and Araceli Dans.

The biggest surprise at the launch was Celia’s singing, rather than explaining, her reason for writing the book with Cocoy accompanying her on the piano.

Guests included Beng Puyat, Chloe Periquet, Beth Romulo, Virgie Moreno, Menchu Padilla, Ambassador and Mrs. Klaus Zeller, Babes Romualdez, Cesar Virata, Teddy Boy and Mrs. Locsin, Boysie Villavicencio served as emcee.

Before Celia is 86, she intends to write another book on herself as actress and production designer.  Something to astonish readers again!