PHILIPPINES, DECEMBER 2010 – Short attention spans meet their match in Pecha Kucha Manila, a creative conference featuring speakers from different arts and industries. Drawn from the Japanese term for “chit chat”, Pecha Kucha is originally an avenue for creative minds to gather and expand their network. At present it has evolved into a grand show-and-tell with each speaker using 20 slides, given only 20 seconds to discuss each slide, for a talk that lasts six minutes and 40 seconds. This format is credited to Klein-Dytham Architecture and traces its roots in Tokyo, but now holds place in 344 cities worldwide. The local version is now in its fourth run by organizers Ideals Creatives.
Held December 1 at the Shangri-La Cineplex, Pecha Kucha Night v4 started with illustrator Anjo Bolarda, wowing the crowd with his intricately detailed artwork. Broadcast journalist Howie Severino talked next about “humble pie”, being grounded by work while overcoming the limits set by Bell’s Palsy. (If you are curious, he is cured now.)
Zabra Siwa seeked to educate the audience about the Muslim culture, from its rich history and sacred traditions up to their present way of life. Money Museum curator Regina Cruz gave a brief history of Philippine currency, transitioning from heavy lumps of gold to counterfeit-secured paper bills. Travel photographer Egan Jimenez gave an inspiring talk about following your dreams, with a career that took him around the world to eventually meet his idol Megan McCormick, host of the travel show Globe Trekkers.
Director Erik Matti shrugged the obvious choice by talking about Anthony Bourdain and his show No Reservations, giving specifics on how he will tour the famous chef in his Philippine episode. Matti showed dismay with Bourdain’s exposure to the Philippines and said the trip lacked worthy representation. In an interesting twist, the next speaker happened to be Bourdain’s dinner host, food writer Claude Tayag. He offered a rebuttal to any willing ear before showing slides of provincial food, places and scenes.
Musician Raimund Marasigan went down memory lane with his musical influences, from the Juan Dela Cruz band to deceased rock station NU 107. Designer Mich Dulce counted 20 firsts in her career, including the first tete-a-tete with her fashion icon Vivienne Westwood and winning her first international award.
UP Institute of Tourism professor Paolo Fresnoza explained the real value of tourism (hands-on learning, protection of biodiversity, etc.) and wondered where the three million peso budget on the Pilipinas Kay Ganda campaign went. Jaton Zulueta, an editor for writers’ online collective New Slang, shared 20 mini stories inspired by 20 random photos. Theater group Sipat Lawin Ensemble capped the evening with a talk that interspersed with performance art.
Fast and fascinating, Pecha Kucha armed the audience with bigger guns of inspiration, extending well enough beyond the requisite 400 seconds.
