Q & A with ARMANDO C. GIRON of NUEVA ECIJA'S COUNCIL FOR HISTORY, CULTURE & THE ARTS

armand: the best for Nueva Ecija is yet to come

ARMAND: FULL OF WISDOM

armand: "ART IS MY LIFE"

from left to right: Mr. Dave Macariola (P.R. man), Greg Sandoval (model), blogger and acting workshop trainor Robert Silverio, Mayor Ferdinand Bote,  painter Rafael Cusi, Mr. Armando Giron (head of NECHCA), Ms. Annalisa Eugenio (SB secretary of Gen. Tinio municipality.)), First Councilor of Gen. Tinio- Ms. Rouselle Busalpa and Mr. Angelito Salvacion (painter).

Robin Padilla, Jason Abalos, Sharon Cuneta, Carlo Aquino, Manuel Chua, the whole Padilla clan of Philippine Showbiz, plus many more. Lahat ng mga sikat na artistang nabanggit namin na 'yan- may dugong NOVO ECIJANO, o kundi man, naging kaparte na ng buhay nila ang Nueva Ecija. 

Kaya naman, meeting in person the very individual who's now responsible in further promoting the ARTS to the people of Nueva Ecija was one great honor and privilege for this blogger. He exuded in us a great aura of leadership, brilliance and magnificence. And at once, through his words as he spoke, we learned so much and gained wisdom.

Over lunch at the Office of the Mayor's dining room, we further got a chance to know him better.
He's no less than Mr. Armando Giron, the Head of Nueva Ecija's Council for History, Culture & the Arts.

Over PM messages at Facebook, below were the words we asked to him, and the great answers he shared. Read On:

Robert Silverio (R.S.): Being the soul and the head of History, Culture and the Arts for the whole province of Nueva Ecija, can you please share to us the hugeness of your responsibilities to fellow Novo Ecijanos?

Armando Giron (A.G.): Being the head of the N.E. Council for History , Culture and the Arts is a profound position. It is a job putting together the Brilliant Minds and talents of the province. Culture , History and the Arts are continuously evolving, no stopping, They are a process for a change, for excellence of the past, present and the future. We need people from the Academe,  Various Art Group and institution, New breed of Historians , Storytellers and private sectors,in the world of today. Empowering newness approach in the Millenial

point of view, in perspective, I can't answer how vast the responsibility? But  How much time and love I can give and share. No boundaries, but there is a concrete direction to inject 'newness' and collaboration of a beautiful promise of the future.

R.S.: Do you think that the province of Nueva Ecija is so low key when it comes to greatness and richness? Wherein as I experienced it myself, Novo Ecijanos are very artistic and passionate people that coincides with the aura of Nueva Ecija. Why do they remain so low key, sir? The 'goldmines', literally speaking, are there!

A.G.: In General, Novo Ecijanos excels in many areas of society. We produce great artists today in the international Arena of Fine Arts. Rafael Cusi just arrived from Germany, Edwin Wilwayco’s works are in the best galleries in The US, Pamela Gotangco Hupp in Europe and Canada, to name a few. Some may not shine but there is a season for readiness.Time gives a lot of surprises. We have what it takes to capture the world.

More trainings, workshops, thorough empowering and partnerships with the best agencies to give additional materials for Art advancement in all areas of Fine Arts.

Painter Rafael Cusi speaks infront of all the participants at the BIYAYA NG SINING event held at Gen. Tinio, Nueva Ecija. Mr. Armando Giron (in pink floral shirt), blogger and acting workshop trainor robert silverio and young painter darryl ajero listens, The "little Mayor" of Gen. Tinio in person of Ms. Anne looks on.

R.S.: What can you say about your recent event at General Tinio entitled BIYAYA NG SINING? And no less than the world-renowned painter- Mr. Rafael Cusi was there to teach young artists at General Tinio the Art of Painting, alongside with other training teachers in Acting Workshop and Festival Management. You were also the one brought Mr. Cusi there at the event.

A.G.: General Tinio, dreams and aims High , Having a great leader, comes with the best people. Reflections I would say.

They aspire for greatness and positioning in themselves and the whole province. Very inspiring. We need role models that they can relate to, and painter Rafael Cusi delivered it to them. The other trainors gave what they deserved,  the rest is on the people to do their part. It is a continued process to achieve excellence.

mrs. mayvelyn bote, painter rafael cusi, mayor ferdinand bote and young painter darryl ajero (photo by darryl ajero)

R.S.: What are your lasting impressions to the Mayor of General Tinio, no less than Mayor Ferdinand Bote?

Mayor Ferdinand Bote, is a fine man, result oriented

and he knows firmly his Style of Governance. The most fascinating about the man, he believes in an individuality of a talent. He is open to deliver what is best for his town, so remarkable ,

I love working with him.

a glimpse at Giron Botanic Gardens

R.S.: Your heavenly garden in Nueva Ecija- the Giron Botanic Gardens- is being much talked-about lately. Can you tell us more about it, sir Armando?

A.G.: Giron Botanic is a garden that expressed the way I live my life, so simple but very embracing, It is a place that's so quiet and relaxing . The plants are like an orchestra singing and playing, an Artistry of Garden Design, and the media started to notice it. A product of who I am.

R.S.: What do you see about the very great artistic potentials of the people in Nueva Ecija?

Time dictates one’s greatness, but believe me, there are a lot of talented Novo Ecijanos just waiting for them to shine. The whole province is an art, our landscape, our mountains and lakes, our products. All are 'Fashioned by Time'.

If Boracay has white sands, Nueva Ecija has white Rice, the food of the Philippines and Asia, so blessed.

Not to forget my own town Bongabon, you should visit us. We have the Onion Gallery, the only one in this world.

R.S.: What are the other projects that you're currently busy with nowadays, Mr. Giron?

 A.G.: This coming 2 months we have a schedule to focus Nueva Ecija in Travel Art, and the city of Cabanatuan will be showcased tomorrow. More and more workshops for  Festival Management  and Cultural mappings for the neighboring towns and the province as a whole. Dance, Music & Theater will follow, depending on LGU's support with their corresponding mayors. More and more exciting projects to excite everyone, wait for this in the near future. Surprise!

mr. armando giron's best friend- painter rafael cusi, with the young Art students of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija.

MR. RAFAEL CUSI AT WORK. MR. CUSI IS ARMANDO GIRON'S BEST FRIEND.

R.S.: Your BFF (Best Friend Forever) is no less than the painter Rafael 'Popoy' Cusi. What can you say about him?

Rafael Cusi is a genius, so overpowering, calm and humble. He is an old soul that we became friends in almost 2 (two) decades now. I love his works and continuously learning and reinventing. A trait of a Master, he exudes greatness.

R.S.: As one person who greatly loved, supported and valued ART, can you say by now that you cannot live without ART?

A.G.: True to your question, My life is an Art, I inhale and exhale the beauty of God’s Creation, I live in this environment, solely, and I am privileged to express 'oneness' of life with Nature and what she can give. An Artistry Beyond the Senses, a play of colors, feelings and Artistry of wonders, a magical life.

R.S.: My last question is this: How would you love to spread ART all-over Nueva Ecija?

A.G.: I do and will, Nueva Ecija deserves the best. She will shine and she will have her time, I promise my self to share its beauty, Culture and art to the world.

She is blessed.

Thanks for this great interview, Mr. Silverio. I enjoy being with you and looking forward to more journey in creativity, exuding our very best. Mabuhay ka, my partner in the creative field of things!

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