| When
I first looked at the site, I thought I might be viewing another example
of evolutionary art. But I was wrong - Ancel uses CorelDraw 8 to
produce the lustrous images at D Filipino Connection. There are 103
pieces in the Artwork Gallery. Some appear as if made from translucent
blown glass; some look like they have liquid flowing through them.
Still others, such as ‘Strength’, have a molten metal finish to them.
Pay attention to the titles of each piece and you will see what Ancel envisioned
as he created his images. Don't be tempted to go back to the index
each time on your first visit. Just click ‘next’ under the picture
and travel on. You don't want to miss any of the illustrations.
Many pieces run in a series of the same colors. Does each piece build
upon the previous one? Or are they independently created? Look
closely - are they ‘mirrored’ or ‘flipped’? Check "Amorous", "The
Encounter", "Lion Dance", "Reflection", "Stronghold", "Transformation",
"Blockade". And then try to figure out how they were made.
Study them, and derive the answer for yourself. I continue to return,
each time finding something new in a previously viewed page. And
I don't have a favorite - they are all spectacular.
In the Travel Gallery, Ancel
has amassed a collection of photos detailing Singapore, Thailand, China,
the United Arab Emirates, Jamaica, Virgin Islands, Europe, United States,
South America, the Orient, and the Middle East. Do you know what
a Took-Took is? Were you even aware there are crocodile ‘farms’ in
the world? Check out the pictures from Thailand to see them (and
some brave soul holding one of these creatures!), as well as the colorful
floating market in Ratchaburi. After viewing 4 pages of scenes from
Italy, you'll feel like you've been there yourself. The Roman Forum,
St. Peters Square, The Coliseum. Finish Italy and journey to Slovenia.
Then on to France, where you will view a 15th century chateau in the Cantal
mountains. When you arrive in Singapore, visit a jade factory and
sit on the edge of the Singapore River with Ancel before taking a boat
ride through Haw Par Villa's dragon.
Award winning site is an
understatement. With 298 pages of these honors to view, you could
be in this corner of Ancel’s realm for a whole day. 5 awards per
page - you do the math. Even if you're not interested in viewing
the awards this site has received, it's worth going through this section
just to see the little animated images that Ancel has so carefully placed.
These animations, from Living Graphics, Kitty Roach, Fiely Matias, Eclipse
Digital Imaging, Hilton Imaging, and Camilla Ericksson, are nothing like
the usual ones you find hopping all over every second site you come upon.
Check the winking monkey on page 235, a beautiful eagle's head on page
26, the little bunny on page 43, children playing catch with a red ball
on page 112, or the dragon blowing smoke rings on page 160. These
little images also appear in the Travel Gallery - makes me want to try
my hand at animations once again.
Confucius Wisdoms contains
a history of China's most famous philosopher. Fascinating Facts holds
such tidbits as how Chinese doctors were paid in times gone by (too bad
we couldn't bring back this practice) and what happened to you if you were
caught drinking coffee in ancient Turkey.
The Asian Links page is filled
with connections to everything from Asian food to weekly news pieces.
You can even find a place to get Chinese horoscopes and have your fortune
told. Philippine Links leads you to sites where you can listen to
the music played in the Philippines or learn the history and view photos
of these beautiful islands. Inclined to indulge in some of the food?
Included are links to recipe pages and how to prepare traditional Filipino
dishes.
Ancel has created eight beautiful
graphics, displayed in the Gifts for You & Me section, to take back
to your own site as a token of his appreciation for your visit to his part
of the world. There is also a page where he will place a graphic
from you, should you have one to give. D Filipino Connection hosts
a Banner & Link Exchange, with a selection of banners from which to
chose.
Now go get that can of coconut
juice and click on the image at the top of this page to drift through the
digital abstract art of Ancel Manalili at D Filipino Connection.
Visually stunning … serenely beautiful.
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