The Filipino "pista" season happens at the HIRAYA GALLERY on May 28 when it opens its door for the first solo exhibition of LAKAN ILAW, a Binangonan artist, whose works of oil on canvass capture the mood of excitement progressing among the participants and the spectators of streetdancing ---a spectacle of colors, band music and costumes---held in honor of the town's patron saint, St. Ursula.

The festive atmosphere is, however, tamed by the artist's choice for dark tones of earth colors: black, green, terra cotta and violet. They provide him an expression for his gentle sentiments for the people of his hometown. Having been abroad for 10 years in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Shanghai in China, Lakan Ilaw anchors his longing for his hometown in his first exhibition.

On the same occasion, his colors imply his belief that the traditional expression of piety is earth-bound. Sensuality mixes with spiritual practice. Unorthodox ways become the hymns and the sights of the day. The shouts above the crowd become the scream of piety at noonday. Lakan Ilaw colors somberly all his canvasses of Filipino "debosyon."