The NFC Championship Game Party Here at THD

We have pizza, salad, chocolate, and drinks ( wine, beer, soft drinks, and water) to our hearts content yesterday afternoon during the NFC Championship Game between the Detroit Lions and the SFO 49er's ( see photo above). It was in our Cinema wide screen. The game was exciting since the first quarter the Niners were losing but at the end they won by a field goal. The Cinema was not too crowded so there was plenty of pizza for everybody. The libations flowed freely and added fun to the event! More Power to the THD Activity Directors!

Thank you THD for this activity, specifically to Karen K and Jenny S who were there to cheer for the Niners.   

I wore my newly purchased Purdy and Montana T-Shirt for the event ( see photo) below:

   

Prior to the NFC Game Championship, I was watching the AFC Championship Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens. The KC Chiefs won- also my favorite team. 

So the Super Ball in 2 two weeks at Las Vegas will be between the Niners and the Chiefs- my two favorite teams. The cheapest ticket is around 7 Grand and the highest is $50,000. Only the rich can afford these prices, so I am happy to watch the Game in my TV big Screen or at our THD Cinema Screen.  

Here are some photos I took during and after the NFC Championship Game in our Cinema.

 

Purdy interviewed during the NFC Trophy Award Ceremony after the Game

Meanwhile here are some photos taken by Jenny S during and after the Game. Thank you, Jenny!

   

  

Wellness Massage Here at THD-Indy and Nicole

Yesterday afternoon from 12:30 PM to 2:30PM, massage therapists Indy and Nicole give a few of us a free 10 minutes massage of our arms, hands, back and shoulder( see photo above). It was an experience I have been craving for.   After the massage,  I asked for the business card of Indy. 

In the card is the website of The Magical Massage Tour, 2363 Boulevard Circle, Walnut Creek. For details visit their website listed as follows:  https://indy.abmp.com/.  

Before moving here at THD, 7 months ago, one of the luxuries I enjoyed in Fair Oaks, CA was my monthly home service one hour body massage. The first two months of my home service massage was a Christmas gift from my youngest daughter, Ditas.  I enjoyed the luxury for another 10 months but it ended when I moved here at THD last year in June. 

The free 10 minutes demo by Indy and Nicole is one of the activity organized by Gaylen C. and Karen K. -our two harmonious and capable Activity Directors.  

Here are some photos I took during the massage session.

    So what are the benefits of massage. Here's the information from the website of Indy.

BENEFITS OF MASSAGE 

 

BODHI SUN HEALING CENTER                                                                                                     925 487 6096

2363 Boulevard Circle Suite 1                                                                  iching94583@yahoo.com

Walnut Creek CA 94595 

 

Experts estimate that upwards of ninety percent of disease is stress-related. And perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. Massage is an effective tool for managing this stress, which translates into:

• Decreased anxiety.
• Enhanced sleep quality.
• Greater energy.
• Improved concentration.
• Increased circulation.
• Reduced fatigue.

Massage can also help specifically address a number of health issues. Bodywork can:

• Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.
• Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays.
• Ease medication dependence.
• Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body's natural defense system.
• Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.
• Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.
• Improve the condition of the body's largest organ—the skin.
• Increase joint flexibility.
• Lessen depression and anxiety.
• Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.
• Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.
• Reduce postsurgery adhesions and swelling.
• Reduce spasms and cramping.
• Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.
• Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body's natural painkiller.
• Relieve migraine pain.

I believe we may be able to get a group discount from Indy Massage Services, if there are enough residents who will sign up for massage therapy. I heard from older residents that THD paid part of Indy's fees for services to residents previously. If you are interested with the group discount, let Gaylen or Karen know ASAP.   

Lastly, here's Karen K and I before the massage waiting for my green tea! Photo Credit: Gaylen Corson!

Ongoing Activities Led By Residents and the THD Library

THD is the community for you if you want to get involved with numerous activities for seniors both coordinated by THD management as well as its senior residents. One of the many reasons, why I chose THD is because I wanted to play bridge again after a hiatus of 2 decades.  The above photo listed all the activities led by residents with THD management blessings and encouragement.  

Patty Healy and I bid and made 6NT during one of our Wednesday Afternoon Games at Churchill's Pub 

I am involved with four bridge groups and one of the Mahjong led group. There is bridge here at THD every day. The Monday and Friday Group with 2 tables is coordinated by Lee Cruise. The other day, Lee asked me if I will coordinate the Monday Group beginning February and I send yes. 

On Tuesaday afternoon, there are 2 bridge group (one table each).  One is coordinated by Linda Bottom and the other by Jane Williams. On Wednesday there is one table coordinated by Phil Paris. 

On Thursday AM, there is one table for beginners coordinated by Lee Cruise.

Regarding mahjong, there two groups playing American Mahjong. On Thursday Afternoon, I lead a table of four playing Hongkong Style Mahjong. On occasion, I play Philippine style mahjong with Daughter Dinah and Susie Bramson. 

The other activities led and run by THD Activity Directors are: Aqua Fitness Exercises, Strength, Balance and Stretch Exercises, Zumba, Chair Volleyball, corn hole, ladder ball, movies, happy hour every Friday Afternoon, Trivia Party, shopping and lunch excursions, musical and art programs and Residents Talks and special education program on Television.

We have a decent book collection in our Library. If you have questions about the library, our resident librarian, Georgia White( 760-408-7979) may be able to help you. I took some photos of our library as well as the Bulletin Board with flyers of our current and coming activities.  

          

The library has a Mystery Book, Fiction and Non-Fiction, and Biographies Sections. There are several coffee table books on art, photography, history, national parks, geography, and sports. Your book donation is welcome. When I moved here at THD, I donated hundreds of books as well as more 24 coffee table books on art, photography, gardening, cooking, history, and sports. I was not aware THD has a library that may able to use books donated by its residents. I kept one coffee Table book, my son's book and of course my own two books( see photos below).      

 

My Newly Printed Blog Book-Chateau Du Mer Beach House and Conference Center, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines covering period from October, 2023 to January 4, 2024  

THD management had a meeting with Residents a couple of weeks ago, revitalizing and planning a new February issue of The Heritage Herald- Resident's Newsletter.  Gaylen Carson had the first meeting recently of a new activity here at THD-the Creative Writing Workshop.. There are several good resident writers and a retired journalist here at THD. I see no reason why we can't have an active monthly newsletter and Writing Workshop.   

The Art Works of Pacita Abad-Filipino-American Artist

About a week ago Aileyn Ecob, co-resident here at THD showed me a few photos she took at the Pacita Abad special exhibits displayed now at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFOMOMA). I am posting some of the pictures Aileyn sent me.  Thanks a million Aileyn for these photos. 

https://www.sfmoma.org/exhibition/pacita-abad/

The Pacita Abad Exhibitions will closed on January 28. 2024 

💥

Maculangan/Pioneer Studios

View of the exhibition Pacita Abad: Life in the Margins, Spike Island, Bristol, UK, 2020; courtesy Pacita Abad Art Estate and Spike Island, Bristol; photo: Max McClure 

View of the exhibition Pacita Abad, Walker Art Center, 2023; image: courtesy Walker Art Center, Minneapolis; photo: Eric Mueller

Pacita Abad, My Fear of Night Diving: Assaulting the Deep Sea, 1985; collection Lopez Museum and Library, Manila, Philippines; courtesy Pacita Abad Art Estate and Lopez Museum and Library

Pacita Abad, European Mask, 1990; Tate: purchased with funds provided by the Asia-Pacific Acquisitions Committee 2019; courtesy Pacita Abad Art Estate and Tate; photo: At Maculangan/Pioneer Studios

View of the exhibition Pacita Abad, Walker Art Center, 2023; image: courtesy Walker Art Center, Minneapolis; photo: Eric Mueller

Paci

Pacita Abad (installation view, SFMOMA); photo: Tenari Tuatagaloa

Pacita Abad, If My Friends Could See Me Now, 1991; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, purchase, by exchange, through a gift of Peggy Guggenheim; courtesy Pacita Abad Art Estate; photo: Don Ross

Pacita Abad, Anilao at Its Best, 1986; courtesy the Pacita Abad Art Estate and MCAD Manila; photo: At Maculangan/Pioneer Studios

View of the exhibition Pacita Abad: A Million Things to Say, Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD), Manila, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 2018; image: courtesy the Pacita Abad Art Estate and MCAD Manila; photo: At Maculangan/Pioneer Studios

View of the exhibition Pacita Abad: Life in the Margins, Spike Island, Bristol, UK, 2020; courtesy Pacita Abad Art Estate and Spike Island, Bristol; photo: Max McClure 

View of the exhibition Pacita Abad, Walker Art Center, 2023; image: courtesy Walker Art Center, Minneapolis; photo: Eric Mueller

Pacita Abad, My Fear of Night Diving: Assaulting the Deep Sea, 1985; collection Lopez Museum and Library, Manila, Philippines; courtesy Pacita Abad Art Estate and Lopez Museum and Library

Pacita Abad, European Mask, 1990; Tate: purchased with funds provided by the Asia-Pacific Acquisitions Committee 2019; courtesy Pacita Abad Art Estate and Tate; photo: At Maculangan/Pioneer Studios

View of the exhibition Pacita Abad, Walker Art Center, 2023; image: courtesy Walker Art Center, Minneapolis; photo: Eric Mueller

Pacita Abad, L.A. Liberty, 199

Maculangan/Pioneer Studios

View of the exhibition Pacita Abad: Life in the Margins, Spike Island, Bristol, UK, 2020; courtesy Pacita Abad Art Estate and Spike Island, Bristol; photo: Max McClure 

View of the exhibition Pacita Abad, Walker Art Center, 2023; image: courtesy Walker Art Center, Minneapolis; photo: Eric Mueller

Pacita Abad, My Fear of Night Diving: Assaulting the Deep Sea, 1985; collection Lopez Museum and Library, Manila, Philippines; courtesy Pacita Abad Art Estate and Lopez Museum and Library

Pacita Abad, European Mask, 1990; Tate: purchased with funds provided by the Asia-Pacific Acquisitions Committee 2019; courtesy 

Pacita Abad Art Estate and Tate; photo: At Maculangan/Pioneer Studios

View of the exhibition Pacita Abad, Walker Art Center, 2023; image: courtesy Walker Art Center, Minneapolis; photo: Eric

View of the exhibition Pacita Abad, Walker Art Center, 2023; image: courtesy Walker Art Center, Minneapolis; photo: Eric 

PaMueller

Maculangan/Pioneer Studios

View of the exhibition Pacita Abad: Life in the Margins, Spike Island, Bristol, UK, 2020; courtesy Pacita Abad Art Estate and Spike Island, Bristol; photo: Max McClure 

View of the exhibition Pacita Abad, Walker Art Center, 2023; image: courtesy Walker Art Center, Minneapolis; photo: Eric Mueller

Pacita Abad, My Fear of Night Diving: Assaulting the Deep Sea, 1985; collection Lopez Museum and Library, Manila, Philippines; courtesy Pacita Abad Art Estate and Lopez Museum and Library

Pacita Abad, European Mask, 1990; Tate: purchased with funds provided by the Asia-Pacific Acquisitions Committee 2019; courtesy Pacita Abad Art Estate and Tate; photo: At Maculangan/Pioneer Studios

View of the exhibition Pacita Abad, Walker Art Center, 2023; image: courtesy Walker Art Center, Minneapolis; photo: Eric 

Mueller

I am very proud to write a short article on Pacita Abad.  All Filipino-Americans should be proud of her artistic accomplishments known over the world.  

Here's the ad on her SFO MOMA Exhibition.       

https://www.sfmoma.org/exhibition/pacita-abad/

Pacita Barsana Abad (October 5, 1946 – December 7, 2004) was an Ivatan and Filipino-American artist. Her more than 30-year painting career began when she traveled to the United States to undertake graduate studies in Spain. She exhibited her work in over 200 museums, galleries and other venues, including 75 solo shows, around the world. Abad's work is now in public, corporate and private art collections in over 70 countries.

Legacy

Pacita Abad's works have been displayed in numerous galleries and museums in the Philippines during the annual Philippine Arts Month and art festivals.

On July 31, 2020, Abad was commemorated with a Google Doodle.

In 2023, the first major retrospective of Abad was held. The exhibition opened at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, and will travel to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, followed by MoMA PS1 in New York, and then the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto. It opened as the largest museum exhibit in the United States devoted to an Asian American female artist.

Quote

"I always see the world through colour, although my vision, perspective and paintings are constantly influenced by new ideas and changing environments. I feel like I am an ambassador of colours, always projecting a positive mood that helps make the world smile."

For Detalis visit the following two sites.

https://www.sfmoma.org/exhibition/pacita-abad/

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacita_Abad

This is supposed to be Marcos eating the Filipino people-for his corruption activities during his presidency

SFO MOMA Flyer Ad: "Experience vibrant works by a daring artist who traveled the world.The first retrospective of Pacita Abad (born 1946, Basco, Philippines; died 2004, Singapore) features more than 40 works including her signature trapunto paintings: stuffed, quilted canvases Abad adorned with materials and methods she investigated during her lifetime. Over a 32-year career, the prolific artist made a vast number of artworks that traverse a diversity of subjects—from colorful masks to intricately constructed underwater scenes to abstract compositions—revealing visual, material, and conceptual concerns that still resonate today.

When Abad left Manila in 1970, she stopped to visit her aunt in San Francisco where she found a city thrumming with radical political and creative activity. This context of Bay Area progressiv­ism formed the crucible of her growing engagement with art, and her extensive world travels, beginning in 1973, solidified her commitment. Abad, who became a U.S. citizen in 1994, spent time in more than 60 countries across six continents, including Sudan, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Afghanistan, with longer stays in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore. Through her travels, she interacted with myriad artistic communities, incorporating diverse cultural traditions—from Korean ink brush painting to Indonesian batik—into her expansive practice. The portability of these works and use of textiles Abad collected on her travels further reflected her peripatetic existence.

Abad’s embrace of quilting and other kinds of needlework confounded critics, who dismissed her works as naïve, childlike, and ethnic. In fact, Abad’s multifaceted practice articulated a powerful material politics, reflecting her vision of a nonhierarchical world. This exhibition celebrates Abad’s bold self-determination, commitment to social justice, and radical artistic experimentation".  The Pacita Abad Exhibits will close on January 28.  

Personal Note: My Love for Art starts in the Family:  Here's Ditas Paintings.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txBtqoHNIhI