Calgary, 5 January 2023 – The artwork of Mr. Pepito Escanlar, a Filipino artist based in Regina, Saskatchewan, is one of the art pieces to grace the 2023 “Juan and Culture” Calendar of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Mr. Escanlar’s painting entitled “Dinagyang” takes pride of place as the featured piece for January 2023 in the DFA Calendar, which showcases the artworks of Filipino artists from various parts of the world.

“Dinagyang” depicts a major religious and cultural festival held in Iloilo City, Philippines, and the vigor, youthfulness, exuberance and colorful costumes of the performances at the annual festival.

The Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Calgary nominated Mr. Escanlar’s “Dinagyang” for inclusion in the said calendar.

“I am pleased to see Mr. Escanlar’s painting in the DFA 2023 Calendar, noting that several copies of this have been distributed in many countries through our Philippine Embassies and Consulates General,“ Consul General Zaldy Patron said.

“Through the ‘Juan and Culture’ Calendar, Mr. Escanlar’s artwork will now be appreciated by an international audience,” he added.

Mr. Escanlar was one of the two Regina-based Filipino artists that the PCG featured on its first-ever painting exhibit called ALAALA (Memories) that was held on 23 September to 19 October 2022 at the PCG’s Dr. José Rizal Hall.

Part of the PCG’s cultural diplomacy program is to raise the profile of the Filipino artists in Alberta and Saskatchewan, the two Canadian provinces under its consular jurisdiction.

Mr. Escanlar, who is also the current Philippine Honorary Consul in Regina, is an architect by profession and a native of Iloilo, Philippines.

Mr. Escanlar is known for his active community work in Regina and is also engaged in local projects to encourage youth involvement in visual arts. He worked with the Urban Canvas Program for the Downtown Regina Business Improvement District from 2019 to 2021.