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

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