Lanot Books Donated to Lopez Museum and Library

JP Rodrigo and Merci Servida

On August 27, 2013 Astrology Friends Philippines' JP Rodrigo donated the books of poet-astrologer Serafin Lanot to Lopez Museum and Library on behalf of the Lanot-Lacaba family.

The group, with the help of the Serafin Lanot's descendants, aim to introduce the works of Lanot to a new generation of poets and astrologers.

Among those donated is "Songs of the Brown." It is the most famous book of Serafin Lanot. Its cover and illustrations were done by the skillful hand of National Artist for Visual Arts awardee Carlos "Botong" Francisco. The artworks hidden in the pages of Lanot's book were reproduced in life size bas reliefs and can now be seen in Angono, Rizal.

Also donated were:

- Serafin Lanot's "The Family that Gets Pushed Around." Cover designed by Danny Dalena.

- Serafin Lanot's "The Primer of Life." Cover designed by Carlos "Botong" Francisco.

- Serafin Lanot's "A New Look at Astrology thru Filipino Eyes." Cover designed by Danny Dalena.

- Gloria Licad Lanot's "Graded Piano Pieces on Philippine Folk Tunes" (published by Serafin Lanot's Tamaraw Publishing Company)

- Resti H. Santiago's Astro-time 2010

- Resti H. Santiago's  Medieval Astro-clock 2011- 2013

Serafin Lanot once said that "Astrologers must be poets." During his astrology practice, he initially attracted were poets, creative writers, filmmakers and journalists. Astrology Friends Philippines' founder Resti H. Santiago thinks that poets can also be good astrologers because like poetry, astrology is a universal and symbolic language. It is worthwhile noting that almost all local astrologers were writers or did write at some point in their lives.

The books were received by Merci Servida, the head librarian and Paolo Arago. Those interested, whether poets, writers or budding astrologers, can now easily access these out- of-print poetry and astrology books at the Lopez Museum and Library in Pasig City.

Lopez Museum and Library: Ground floor, Benpres Bldg., Exchange Rd. cor. Meralco Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Museum hours are Mondays to Saturday, 8 am to 5pm. Admission fee is P100 for adults and P80 for students with I.D. and senior citizens. For info, contact 631-2417. Visit Facebook.com/Lopez.Museum.Library.

Mars and Bonifacio's Bolo

By Resti H. Santiago

Photo by Noel Mapalo

It's National Heroes Day and it's a good time for us to look up at our heroes and learn from their struggles.

Astrologically speaking, anyone can be a hero, a star in his or her own right. There is no specific astrological configuration that we can look for in a natal chart to determine beforehand that an individual will become a hero or not.

Why is this so? Because becoming a hero is a choice. The interaction between the struggle that a group of people is experiencing and the inner struggles of an individual with a strong sense of "fate" and mission becomes magnified and urges that individual look beyond himself and to think of the greater good.

Such is the case with Gat Andres Bonifacio who was able to channel his "martial" energy in addressing the needs of the times. He did initiate the "Revolution" in 1896 but he could have chosen otherwise.

If he did not choose to join Rizal's La Liga Filipina, he could not have chosen to found the Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (K.K.K.). Had he not chosen to found the K.K.K., there won't be a "sigaw" or the tearing of cedula on that fateful month of August 1896 that sparked the fires of revolution to break free from the shackles of colonialism. If he did not choose all of these things, the Philippines might still be under a colonial power up to know.

Bonifacio's Mars
Despite the controversy surrounding Bonifacio's bolo, it is actually a fitting symbol for him. On the other hand, a revolver fits quite as well. Both weapons are associated with Mars.

In the chart of Bonifacio, he is actually signified more by Mars than any other planet. Mars is the strongest planet in his chart. Though his Sun is in philosophical Sagittarius, its ruler Jupiter is actually in Scorpio, the domain of Mars, the god of war and revolution.

Bonifacio's Mars is in Scorpio, a feminine and water sign. This does not in any manner limit his valor. When planets are in feminine signs, they just tend to do things in a subtle or indirect manner. This is partly the reason why the leadership of the movement was not centered on him. Mars is actually strong in Scorpio as this is one of the signs it rules (in Medieval Astrology).  In modern astrology, Scorpio is the sign of secrets. The KKK was after all a secret society that aimed to unite the Filipinos and liberate the Philippines thru an armed revolution.

It is interesting to note that the "mutation" chart of the 19th century, computed for Manila, actually had Mars as the most elevated planet. Mutation charts, which are based on the coming together of the two slow-moving planets, Jupiter and Saturn, in the same zodiac sign, signal new phases in history.

Indios who were born after 1842 with strong Mars in their charts were called and Bonifacio heeded that call of fate. It's all about recognizing one's role in the greater scheme of things. Sometimes, becoming a hero is simply becoming who one is meant to be.

More than a hundred years later, the revolution initiated by our heroes remain unfinished. It might be our turn now, for our planets to move and our stars to shine. It's never too late to be a hero.

Happy National Heroes Day everyone!

Poetry of Stars: First Philippine astrology exhibition

By Walter Ang

Photos by Kat Palasi and Edel San

Astrology Friends Philippines founder 
Resti Santiago annotating the exhibition.

The first exhibition of its kind in the Philippines, "Poetry of Stars: An Overview of Astrology in the Philippines" was held at Lopez Museum and Library from Aug. 15-17, 2013.

Organized by Astrology Friends Philippines (Astro Friends), the event was held to commemorate the birth centennial of poet, journalist, publisher, and astrologer Serafin Lanot and to mark the existence of astrology in Philippine culture and history. 

The exhibition opened on Aug. 15. Lopez Museum curator Ricky Francisco gave the welcome remarks, giving guests an overview of the exhibition. Astro Friends member Gou de Jesus hosted the afternoon program.

Astro Friends founder Resti Santiago gave the opening remarks sharing his vision of establishing an "astrological community," while Astro Friends member Ime Morales gave a talk on the life and works of Serafin Lanot, which included his contributions to astrology in the Philippines and to the world.

Santiago then gave a short talk on "What astrology is not," to give guests an idea of the basic concepts of astrology. "Sun sign horoscopes" is not astrology, he insisted. 

Surprise guests

Film directors Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes attended the exhibition opening. Gallaga revealed that he had read Lanot's book "Astrology Through Filipino Eyes" while he was growing up.

Painter and illustrator Danny Dalena, who drew the painting used as the cover of "Astrology Through Filipino Eyes," was invited to share how he ended up being tasked to draw the cover illustration, a figure of a man with the planets in a curved row above him.

Astrologer and composer Heber Bartolome attended the talk and was invited to share his personal experiences in founding the first ever student/campus-based astrology group in the country in 1974: University of the Philippines Astrological Society.

Poetry

Ofel Santos and Marra Lanot.

Marra Lanot, Serafin's daughter, was in attendance. Also present were Marra's siblings, members of the family of her husband, Pete Lacaba, and family members of her mother, the Licad family.

Marra had gathered the following individuals to read poems written by Serafin, mostly from his book "Songs of the Brown Man." She read one of her poems.

To round out the afternoon's series of talks, Lanot's former students Ofel Santos and Luisa Lamoste shared their experiences learning under him. Marra also shared anecdotes about growing up with him.

Refreshments were served, compliments of Pfootsy Lanot, sister of Marra.

Photos:

Lopez Museum curator Ricky Francisco welcoming guests.

Astorology Friends Philippines member
Gou de Jesus hosted the program.

Astrologer and composer
Hebert Bartolome.

Painter Danny Dalena.
His paintings were used
in cover designs of
Serafin Lanot's books.

Film director Peque Gallaga holding
Serafin Lanot's book
"Astrology Through Filipino Eyes."

Marra Lanot, daughter of Serafin Lanot, was the special guest.

Kris Lacaba, Marra's son, read a poem.

Kit Kwe-Lacaba.

Peta Laba, Marra's husband.

Krip Yuson also read a poem.

Astrology Friends Philippines
member Ime Morales.

Audience during the program.

Astrologers Henry Palacios, Col. Romy Solina,
Resti Santiago and Jeannie Javellosa.

Astrology Friends Philippines members Kat Palasi,
JP Rodrigo, Walter Ang, Ofel Santos,
founder Resti Santiago, Cora Centeno and Steffi Rodriguez. 

A video recording of the Aug. 15 program is available for viewing at the Lopez Museum and Library, Benpres Bldg., Exchange Rd. cor. Meralco Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Museum hours are Mon.- Sat., 8am to 5pm. Contact 635-9545 or 631-2425.

Poetry of Stars: An Overview of Astrology in the Philippines

Design and lay-out by Eric Ambata

Astrology Friends Philippines, with generous support from Lopez Museum and Library, is organizing an exhibition and series of talks to commemorate the birth centennial of poet, journalist and astrologer Serafin Lanot and to mark the existence of astrology in Philippine culture and history.

"Poetry of Stars: An Overview of Astrology in the Philippines" will be held at Lopez Museum and Library from Aug. 15-17, 2013.

Exhibition

Lanot with Nick Joaquin

The exhibition will feature Lanot's and other leading astrologers' personal astrology and publishing paraphernalia, such as charts and even an astrological computer, as well as a letter written to him by Corazon Aquino after he had predicted her ascendancy to the presidency in 1986.

A former editor of Manila Chronicle Sunday Magazine and author of "Astrology through Filipino Eyes," Lanot was a leading figure in the introduction of astrology in the Philippines in the 80’s. He was the only Filipino astrologer invited to the International Conference of the American Federation of Astrologers and was a member of the AFA convention faculty in the 1980s.

Born on August 21, 1913, in Boac, Marinduque, Lanot served as the Director of the Bureau of Printing. He also wrote and edited for several publications. He is the father of poet Marra Lanot, wife of writer Jose "Pete" Lacaba.

Talks

Letter written by Aquino to Lanot
(click on photo to see larger version)

The talks will be led by writer/astrologer Resti Santiago, founder of Astrology Friends Philippines, a group for Filipinos keen on learning astrology.

Topics include a short overview of the history of astrology in the Philippines and the contributions of Lanot and different personalities to Philippine astrology, including pre-colonial indigenous astrological practices of Filipinos.

Santiago has written astrology articles and columns for various print and online publications. He is author of "Medieval Astro Clock," an astrology guide published annually since 2011.

"No prior knowledge of astrology is required to appreciate the exhibition and talks. We want to get more Filipinos interested in astrology," he says.

Schedule and address
"Poetry of Stars: An Overview of Astrology in the Philippines"
Aug. 15-17, 2013
Lopez Museum and Library
Ground floor, Benpres Bldg., Exchange Rd. cor. Meralco Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City.
Museum hours are Mondays to Saturday, 8 am to 5pm.

Admission fee is P100 for adults and P80 for students with I.D. and senior citizens.
For info, contact 631-2417.

Scheduled speakers
AUGUST 15 (Thursday): LANOT CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
1:30 pm Ribbon-cutting Ceremony

1:40-2:00 pm Opening remarks: "What Astrology Is Not"
-Resti H. Santiago

2:00- 2:30 pm Lanot's Biography
-Ime Morales, Astrology Student

2:30- 3:00 pm Poetry Reading of Lanot's Works
-Marra Lanot, Kris Lacaba, Nerisa Guevara and other poets

3:00-3:30 pm Living and Learning with Serafin Lanot
-Marra Lanot and Ofel Santos

3:30-4:15 pm On Lanot, P.A.S.I. and the Stars
- Luisa Lamoste/Astrologer

Emcee: Gou de Jesus

AUGUST 17 (Saturday): ASTROLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES
10:30 am Cosmic Anthropological Perspective on Living in Harmony with Nature
- Dr. Antonio Ingles- Aral Pilipinas Founder/St. Benilde Professor

11:00 am On Indigenous Astrology
-Steffi Rodriguez & Resti H. Santiago/Astrology Friends

Break

1:00 pm History of Astrology in the Philippines
- JP Lapore/Astrology Friends

1:30 pm P.A.R.S.I. and the Re-introduction of Astrology in the 70’s
– Ret. Col. Romeo Solina/Astrologer

2:00 Astrology and its Purpose
-Jeannie Javelosa/Writer and Soul Destiny Reader

2:30 pm "How I Became an Astrologer"
- Henry Palacios/Astrologer

3:00 pm The Basic Language of Astrology
- Walter Ang/Astrologer

3:30 pm The Astrological Charts of Bonifacio, Rizal & Aguinaldo
-Resti H. Santiago/Astrologer

4:00 pm Open Forum

4:30 pm Closing Remarks- Resti H. Santiago

Join this event's Facebook event page:
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