T wenty two years ago when I had my first one-man show entitled East by Southeast, An Oriental Room Happening," the last evening of this three theme-nights was Philippines.

The invitation to that show read in part as follows:

"Third Mood: Philippines is a reconciliation of the two elements forming the union of Yin and Yang. It is a celebration of harmony and balance."

The formal launching of the CD ROM version of "Way of Design," at the Filipinas Heritage Library last January 29, 1999, Makati City, Philippines, was a reprise of that evening. The event served not only to publicize the book but also as my official homecoming. It was an evening to refresh old friendships and acquantainces and to link with new ones.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who took time and attended the launch. My gratitude goes to my former school The Philippine School of Interior Design and my dear friend-mentor Edith Oliveros for sponsoring and hosting the successful event. Friends, colleagues in the interior design and architectural profession, as well as people in the arts, academè, business, the diplomatic and media community graced this sentimental occasion.

OLD AND NEW faces at the Philippine School of Interior Design. PSID's Managing Director, Charo Yujuico, extreme left, PSID founder Edith Oliveros, in the center, with a classmate Olga Martel (in black with scarf), former classmates and other new graduates of PSID pose in front of the Chinese landscape scroll. Note the similarities of the modern screen (seen in the background) with the scroll painting. I specifically made this ancient painting a focal point of the presentation room to emphasize the old and the new, the yin and the yang. Beside the Chinese scroll is a reconstituted tree blooming with white gardenias created by Raul Pangilinan.

PSID students and faculty who kindly assisted in the launch pose for posterity..