Dimensions of Depth by Alice Guillermo

It was an intimate gathering of hearts & minds when they launched " Dimensions in Depth" the book on Bettina's late husband and multi-awarded artist, Onib Olmedo. Daughters Gisela Olmedo-Araneta & Franjo Olmedo-Arias were, naturally, there, too, with their families. That was this afternoon at Powerbooks, Greenbelt 4, Makati.

I was fashionably late. A few minutes, but, nonetheless late enough not to have caught the names of those who spoke to honor Onib, the man & artist. That each one spoke with sincerity was expected - Onib elicited no less and the stature of the speakers could have allowed them no less either. I was spellbound by the meandering manner in which they wove their words into poetic prose, if that term were permitted in literary lingo. I realized that, since my U.P. Literary Circle days, it has been a while since I've had the sublime pleasure of being surrounded by professional writers in one gathering. It was exhilarating for the writer in me.

I understood why Onib was such a great artist. He was a writer, poet, artist. And he was excellent in all respects. His paintings showed his depth. His poetry showed his humor. His prose revealed his heart in words.

I went home and looked at my Onib Olmedo painting, the only one that hangs in my living room. I whisper a prayer, "Thank you, God, for the life of Onib. Thank you for his gift of making us see through his paintings, the truth about our souls."