World-class artists rally around exiled professor:

Filipino community in the Netherlands to hold cultural evening for Professor Jose Maria Sison

Committee DEFEND-Netherlands
September 15, 2004

The governments of the U.S. and Europe have tagged him a "terrorist", but a group of artists along with the Filipino community and supporters in the Netherlands are challenging this label in a cultural evening to uphold the democratic rights of Prof. Jose Maria Sison. Titled "Portrait of a Revolutionary", the cultural event will take place October 16, 2004 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

By donating their songs, poetry, performances, and art work, the artists and organizers hope to show their solidarity with Professor Sison who was unjustly branded a "terrorist" by the U.S. and European governments in 2002. Prof. Sison has been living in exile from the Philippines since 1987, and the organizers of the cultural evening believe that his persecution must end. The cultural event will be part of an ongoing and growing international campaign launched in defense of Prof. Sison against his unjust "terrorist" label.

Joining this cause, world-class and internationally renowned artists and local performers will be coming together in this highly-anticipated cultural evening.

Accomplished and internationally-acclaimed, sculptor, printmaker, and painter Manuel D. Baldemor from Laguna, Philippines has donated four wood cut prints. These stunning pieces of artwork that invoke the rustic sentiment of the Philippine provincial landscape and peasant life, will be on display during the evening and will form the center piece for the silent auction fundraiser.

Also joining the bill is Rica Nepumenceno, soprano soloist now studying her craft in Bologna, Italy. She has performed in a wide variety of operas with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra including The Bells and Carmina Burana. She will sing kundimans. The first time she came to perform in the Netherlands was in 1997.

Unlike other such cultural evenings and tributes that were held in his defense, Professor Sison will be available for autograph session and photo opportunities as the travel ban imposed on him restricts his travel within the Netherlands.

He will autograph copies of the book, At Home in the World (Portrait of a Revolutionary), which he has co-authored with the famous Filipina novelist Ninotchka Rosca. His other books and CDs of songs will also be available for sale.

Organizers hope that the evening will raise awareness about Prof. Sison's case and the legitimate struggle of the Filipino people for genuine independence, democracy, social justice and peace.#

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