Mike Guingona and Ramon Campos, Jr are My Third Cousins

From Geni.Com Readings This Week-Two Relatives from My Father  Side of the Family

1. Mike Guingona (b. 1962) is a notable figure in American politics, particularly recognized for his contributions to the Filipino-American community. Born in San Francisco, California, Guingona grew up in a culturally diverse environment that shaped his understanding of community needs and civic engagement. He pursued higher education at the University of California, Los Angeles, and later earned a law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law. Guingona's political career began in Daly City, California, where he made history as the first Filipino-American elected to the City Council in 1993. His tenure was marked by a focus on community development and public safety, reflecting the needs of Daly City's diverse population. He served multiple terms as mayor, where he advocated for minority rights and worked to improve local infrastructure. Guingona's leadership extended beyond local politics, as he became a prominent voice for Filipino-Americans nationwide, fostering greater representation and participation in American civic life. His legacy is one of bridging cultural divides and championing inclusivity in governance.

For Additional Details visit: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Guingona

2. Geni's Relationship Finder just found a path between you and Ramon Campos Jr. in the World Family Tree. It turns out that Ramon Campos Jr. is your third cousin once removed.

 Ramon Campos Jr. was a Filipino basketball player who competed in the 1948, 1952 and 1956 Summer Olympics. Campos was born in Iloilo City and started to play basketball at the age of 15. 

From Wikipedia: Ramón "Ramoncito" F. Campos Jr. (December 15, 1925 – May 29, 2017) was a Filipino basketball player who competed in the 1948, 1952 and 1956 Summer Olympics.

Campos was born in Iloilo City and started to play basketball at the age of 15. In 1941, he was a member of the junior team of De La Salle College in the NCAA. Campos went to the University of Santo Tomas and played for the Goldies in the UAAP in 1946 and led the team to the varsity championship and in the National Open. Campos had his personal best of 52 points, which he scored when he was playing for the famed Sampaguita Pictures quintet made up of only eight players. His colorful career on the hardcourt also includes seven years with the YCO Painters during the 1950s. Campos retired from major competition in 1958.

Meanwhile, ‘Blue dragons’ come back home

Thrilling news for us reptile lovers: The bewitching blue iguana is back from the brink of extinction! The lizards are endemic to the Cayman Islands, but they’ve had a rough go of it in paradise: Habitat loss, hunting and attacks from feral cats and dogs drove their population down to fewer than 25 wild iguanas just two decades ago. So, the National Trust for the Cayman Islands’ Blue Iguana came up with a comprehensive species survival plan — collect eggs from wild nests to ensure they survive, then raise them in captivity for their early life before releasing them back into the wild as adults. All that lizard rearing has worked — over 1,200 of them have been released on the islands in protected areas where these beauties are more likely to thrive. Lastly, here are my wife's( Macrine Nieva Jambalos) and my other famous relatives, some I know, others I just learned from Geni.com   https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2025/05/tomas-confesor-another-filipino.html https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2025/06/lucrecia-roces-kasilag-is-macrines.html https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2025/03/a-confirmed-relative-teofisto-guingona.html https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2025/03/i-am-related-to-narcisa-buencamino.html

The St. Sebastian Painting Valued at $10 Million

From My Art Readings This Week

In 2014, Federico Castelluccio, best known as Furio from The Sopranos, walked into an art gallery in Frankfurt, Germany, and spotted a painting that didn’t quite fit its label. It was marked as an 18th-century copy, priced modestly at around $68,000. But Castelluccio, a passionate art collector and skilled painter himself, trusted his instincts. He believed the artwork was far older and far more valuable. He was right.

After purchasing the piece, he spent an additional $72,000 on restoration, scientific analysis, and expert consultations. The result was stunning. The painting was confirmed to be a 17th-century masterpiece by the Italian Baroque painter Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, better known as Guercino. The subject? A hauntingly beautiful image of Saint Sebastian, bound and pierced with arrows, rendered in Guercino’s signature dramatic lighting and emotional intensity.

Art historians were amazed. A painting of this scale and quality, lost for centuries, had surfaced in plain sight. Thanks to Castelluccio’s sharp eye, what was once misattributed became a rediscovered treasure valued at up to $10 million. It has since been displayed at major institutions, including the Princeton University Art Museum, where it continues to attract admiration and scholarly interest.

Castelluccio’s discovery is not just a story of luck, it’s a testament to knowledge, intuition, and a deep appreciation for art history. His find reminds us that the art world still holds hidden gems, and that sometimes, it takes a unique perspective to see beyond the surface.

Meanwhile, here are other paintings of St Sebastian:

 

For other Paintings of St Sebastian read:

paintings of St Sebastian

Moreover, Did you also know that.....

There’s something about Saint Sebastian that has drawn the queer gaze for centuries, and it’s not hard to see why. His story is drenched in both beauty and tragedy—an exquisite young soldier in the Roman army who defied imperial power to protect his fellow Christians, only to be bound to a post and shot through with arrows. Artists across generations couldn’t resist lingering over the moment of his suffering, painting his body taut and bare, the smooth planes of his chest interrupted only by the delicate cruelty of the arrows. What was intended as a depiction of pious martyrdom became, for many queer men, an image of transcendence through the body, of vulnerability made beautiful.

In the 19th century, as #homosexuality was still criminalized and coded language was essential, figures like Oscar Wilde found in Sebastian a symbol that could speak to desire, pain, and courage all at once. His image became a secret nod among men who recognized themselves in the soft curve of a hip or the serene expression that seemed to say: you can wound me, but you cannot take my essence. Photographers and painters of the modern era, from Mapplethorpe to contemporary queer artists, have continued to reinterpret him—not as a distant saint, but as a mirror for the way beauty, suffering, and desire tangle together in the queer imagination. He’s both untouchable and deeply intimate, a reminder that even in moments of persecution, the body can remain a site of power, defiance, and allure.

Lastly. Did you Know that.....

There’s a dragon out there with a sail on its back that literally runs across water when it’s freaked out. Meet the Hydrosaurus, also known as the sailfin dragon, and no, it didn’t escape from a fantasy movie. This beast is 100% real and straight out of the rainforests of the Philippines.

With its huge tail, freaky sail-like fin, and long claws, the Hydrosaurus looks like it should be guarding treasure or breathing fire. But instead, it’s chilling in tropical rivers, basking on rocks, and snacking on plants, fruits, and the occasional insect. It’s the largest of all the agamid lizards and can grow over a metre long!

Here’s where it gets even cooler: when predators get too close, this dragon zooms across the surface of water using only its back legs, Jesus-lizard style. That’s not CGI. That’s just peak reptilian drama.

And that sail on its back? Scientists think it helps with balance while running, soaking up heat, or attracting mates. So yes, it’s part superhero cape, part solar panel, and part pickup line.

These dragons are also shy and super sensitive to habitat loss, which means they’re now under threat. Logging, pet trade, and shrinking rainforests have made sightings in the wild rare, but not impossible.

So next time you’re trekking through the Philippines and hear a splash followed by something sprinting over water, don’t panic. You might’ve just met the jungle’s most stylish escape artist.

In Addition, Did you know that....

In the Philippines, karaoke isn’t just entertainment—it’s a cultural rite. From birthdays to barangay fiestas, no Filipino gathering feels complete without a karaoke machine.

And it’s unspoken tradition that everyone must sing at least one song, whether you're good or tone-deaf.

It’s practically a citizenship requirement—and yes, someone will sing "My Way" before the night ends (though hopefully, not start a fight).

Popularity of Shakespeare's Play in US and in Europe

This posting is inspired from my recent attendance of Vallejo Shakespeare in the Park 💚presentation of AS YOU LIKE IT. I wrote an article on the subject previously, since Dodie, my oldest son have been an active participant in this event for 4 seasons now. I am not an English major but I enjoyed good acting and delivery of Shakespeare plays and dramas.  So I queried my favorite writing assistant as follows:    

How popular are Shakespeare Plays as summer ( outdoor) offerings/entertainment in the US and In Europe.

Response: Shakespeare plays are not just enduring—they thrive across summer months as outdoor entertainment. Here's how they shine in the U.S. and Europe:

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United States

1. Shakespeare in the Park (NYC)

• This iconic summer institution at Central Park’s Delacorte Theater, hosted by The Public Theater, has been running since 1962. It’s hugely popular and free, creating a strong community vibe. Fans often queue overnight or enter digital lotteries to secure tickets. It relaunched in summer 2025 with a star-studded production of Twelfth Night after a major renovation.People.comEW.comNew York PostTime Out WorldwideDesign Dash

2. Oregon Shakespeare Festival (Ashland)

• One of the oldest and most prominent repertory festivals in the U.S., held outdoors and indoors from April to December. It draws approximately 400,000 attendees annually, with 5–11 rotating productions.Wikipedia

3. Other Notables

• Shakespeare in Delaware Park (Buffalo): Free summer performances draw around 40,000 attendees annually.Wikipedia

• Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival (Garrison, NY): Outdoor tented performances attract roughly 50,000annually, offering both local and statewide audiences access.Wikipedia

• Nashville Shakespeare Festival: Began in 1988 as free park performances; now draws 10,000–15,000 attendees each summer, with 200,000 total attendees since inception.Wikipedia

• Additional popular summer Shakespeare offerings across the U.S. include festivals in St. Louis, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and others. These vary between free community-driven programs and ticketed professional productions.Design DashCleveshakescurlie.org

• For instance, the Houston Shakespeare Festival has been known to draw up to 10,000 in a single outdoor performance at Miller Outdoor Theatre.Chron

4. Ranked Summer Event

• The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival was ranked the 4th favorite summer event in the U.S. among families in 2023, beating out many other cultural events.L'Observateur

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Europe

1. Summer Shakespeare Festival (Prague & Central Europe)

• Held from late June to early September in Prague, Brno, Ostrava, and Bratislava.

• With around 150 productions per summer, it attracts ~90,000 people per season—typically filling open-air venues seating 600–1,000 people.shakespeare.cz

2. Gdańsk Shakespeare Festival (Poland)

• An international festival founded in 1993, held during the first week of August.

• While many performances happen indoors, several concerts and plays take place in historical open-air venues.Wikipedia

3. UK and Beyond

• Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in London is the UK’s oldest outdoor theatre and a major cultural draw. While not exclusively Shakespeare-focused, it champions ambitious theatrical productions, though its recent repertoire includes fewer Shakespeare plays.The Times

• Other notable mentions in Europe include scattered open-air Shakespeare adaptations—though comprehensive, high-volume festivals like Prague’s are less common.

4. Ukraine’s Resilient Bard

• The Ukrainian Shakespeare Festival in Ivano-Frankivsk, though held under difficult conditions due to ongoing conflict, demonstrates the emotional and societal value of Shakespeare. Its programming has included Macbeth, King Lear, and Romeo and Juliet, often melding art and political expression.The Guardian

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Summary Table

Region	Extent of Popularity	Typical Audience Size	Examples
U.S.	Highly popular, democratic & professional	Thousands to hundreds of thousands	NYC, Ashland, Buffalo, Hudson Valley
Europe	Popular in key festivals; less widespread	Tens of thousands per festival	Prague (~90k), Gdańsk (smaller scale)
Notable Cases	Symbolic & resilient cultural offerings	Smaller, but impactful community numbers	Ukraine’s festival in wartime

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Final Take

• In the U.S., outdoor Shakespeare festivals are deeply embedded in summer culture—ranging from community-driven, free productions to major ticketed repertory, drawing large and eager audiences nationwide.

• In Europe, while outdoor Shakespeare is certainly present—especially in large-scale festivals like Prague’s—it’s less uniformly pervasive than in the U.S., though still cherished in specific locations and contexts.

Shakespeare’s voice truly resonates under the summer sky—whether for festive tradition or cultural resistance.

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Related news

New York Post

Hundreds of NYC theater lovers line up for hours to snag coveted tickets for 'Shakespeare in the Park'

2 days ago

EW.com

Lupita Nyong'o, Sandra Oh, and Peter Dinklage cavort in first look at Free Shakespeare in the Park's "Twelfth Night"

3 days ago

The Guardian

Shakespeare in war: bard's 'existential' theatre takes hold in Ukraine

Jul 1, 2025

Meanwhile: California has a rich and diverse scene of outdoor Shakespeare offerings each summer, from free community performances to professional festivals nestled in nature. Here's a detailed breakdown of what’s happening across the Golden State:

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Featured Outdoor Shakespeare in California

1. California Shakespeare Theater (Cal Shakes) — Berkeley (OUTDOORS)

Cal Shakes staged performances in a beautiful hillside amphitheater, offering a summer season of four plays—typically two Shakespeare and two classics by others TripSavvy.

Update: Unfortunately, in November 2024, Cal Shakes suspended operations and began liquidating assets due to insurmountable financial challenges Reddit. This marks a significant loss to Bay Area outdoor Shakespeare.

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2.  San Francisco Shakespeare Festival / Free Shakespeare in the Park — Various Bay Area Locations

This program has presented free professional Shakespeare performances since 1983, touring through parks in San Francisco, Pleasanton, Cupertino, Redwood City, and recently Orinda WikipediaSan Francisco ChronicleSan Francisco Shakespeare Festival.
These performances attract thousands of locals and families each summer, well-regarded for accessibility and artistic quality.

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3. Santa Cruz Shakespeare — Audrey Stanley Grove, DeLaveaga Park

A professional festival running since 2014, performing outdoors in Santa Cruz every summer (July–September) WikipediaSan Francisco Chronicle.
Its 2025 production of Pericles received high praise for imaginative staging, blending natural ambiance with compelling performances San Francisco Chronicle. Reddit posts also show enthusiastic audience feedback:

“On the recommendation… my daughter and I went to CC Shakespeare Festival… We had a great time and highly recommend seeing the show” (about Central Coast) Reddit
And others: “The Shakespeare shows will go on for a few more weeks…” Reddit — underscoring recurring community support.

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4. Central Coast Shakespeare Festival — San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles

Running for over 27 years, this festival sets its stage at Filipponi Ranch. The outdoor venue invites picnics, wine, and storytelling under the stars CCSF.
Audience sentiment echoes its appeal—reoffered favorite performances and dependable quality year after year Reddit+1.

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5.Theatrictum Botanicum — Topanga Canyon, Los Angeles

An open-air, mid-size (299-seat) union house founded in 1973, regularly featuring Shakespeare in a rustic canyon amphitheater. It remains a beloved staple in LA outdoor theater WikipediaTripSavvy.

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6. Shakespeare by the Sea — Los Angeles & Orange County

A free repertory tour that spans 10 weeks each summer, bringing Shakespeare to around 20 cities across LA and OC through approximately 40 performances Wikipedia+1.

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7. Independent Shakespeare Company (Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival) — Los Angeles

Offers free outdoor Shakespeare in Griffith Park’s Old Zoo site. Popular productions like Julius Caesar and A Midsummer Night’s Dream draw thousands of Angelenos each summer, with comfortable themes nights and a voluntary reserved seating option for donors Independent Shakespeare Co.Reddit. Audience posts mention themed events like Disco Night and broad appeal for families Reddit.

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8. Marin Shakespeare Company — San Rafael

Their 2025 season featured A Midsummer Night’s Dream (June–July), followed by The Tempest (August–September) at Forest Meadows Amphitheatre. Their programming emphasizes theater’s transformative power in today’s climate San Francisco Chronicle.

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9. Multiple Local Outdoor Festivals — Around the State

Other well-established offerings include:

• Curtain Theatre in Mill Valley with As You Like It Ronnie's Awesome ListSFGATE

• Sebastopol Shakespeare Festival (Macbeth, Comedy of Errors) SFGATE

• Shakespeare Napa Valley (The Taming of the Shrew) in Napa SFGATE

• Carmel Shakespeare Festival, Windsor Shakespeare on the Green, Redlands Shakespeare Festival—many of which perform in charming local outdoor venues Play ShakespeareSFGATE

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At a Glance: Outdoor Shakespeare in California

Festival / Company	Location / Region	Format	Tickets	Notes
Cal Shakes	Berkeley	Professional, outdoor	Ticketed	Closed as of Nov 2024
Free Shakespeare in the Park (SF Bay Area)	Multiple Bay Area parks	Professional, free	Free	Fixed summer tour
Santa Cruz Shakespeare	Santa Cruz (DeLaveaga Park)	Professional, outdoor	Ticketed	Strong reviews & audience enthusiasm
Central Coast Shakespeare Festival	San Luis Obispo area	Outdoor, scenic	Ticketed	Long-running (27+ yrs), beloved locally
Theatricum Botanicum	Topanga Canyon (LA County)	Outdoor union theatre	Ticketed	Artistic, immersive experience
Shakespeare by the Sea	LA & Orange County	Free touring repertory	Free	10-week, 20-city tour
Griffith Park Festival (ISC)	Los Angeles (Griffith Park)	Free, themed outdoor	Free + donations	Highly accessible, community-friendly
Marin Shakespeare Company	San Rafael	Outdoor, professional	Ticketed	Artistic programming each summer
Numerous local community festivals	Various (Mill Valley, Napa, etc.)	Outdoor, varied programming	Mostly free or low-cost	Great community engagement

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Final Thoughts

• Outdoor Shakespeare in California is vibrant—with a variety of formats: free to ticketed, community to professional, urban parks to coastal woodlands.

• Even with the sad closure of Cal Shakes, many thriving festivals continue to connect theater with nature and community across the state.

• Whether you're looking for high production value, free access, or a scenic picnic-and-play affair, there's a Shakespeare experience for everyone.

Finally, if you're in California’s East Bay (like Walnut Creek, Berkeley, Orinda, Castro Valley, etc.), you're in luck—there are several outdoor Shakespeare experiences this summer that are close and accessible.

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Free & Local Shakespeare Offerings

1. Actors Ensemble of Berkeley – “Cymbeline” at John Hinkel Park

• What & When: A free, outdoor production of Cymbeline—a lesser-known but enchanting Shakespeare romance—runs Friday, July 4 and weekends July 5–20 at 4 PM.
  aeofberkeley.org

• Where: John Hinkel Park Amphitheatre, Berkeley (just minutes away in the East Bay).
  aeofberkeley.orgWikipedia

• Details: The amphitheater is terraced with stone seating—great for bringing blankets or low lawn chairs. It’s free, but reservations are appreciated for accessibility needs.
  aeofberkeley.org

2. Actors Ensemble of Berkeley – “The Taming of the Shrew” at the same venue

• What & When: Following Cymbeline, there’s another free outdoor run of The Taming of the Shrew on Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day Monday, from August 16–September 1, starting at 4 PM.
  Patch

• Perfect for another dose of Shakespeare under the East Bay skies.

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Regional Highlights—Still Within Reach

3. SF Shakespeare Festival – Free Shakespeare in the Park

• Production: The Two Gentlemen of Verona

• Where & Dates:

  • Red Morton Park, Redwood City: Aug 9–24, Saturdays & Sundays at 6 PM.

  • Also touring Cupertino, McLaren Park, Sue Bierman Park in SF.
    San Francisco Shakespeare FestivalSan Francisco PeninsulaSan Francisco Chronicle

• Great for a Bay Area trek—reachable via Caltrain or bridge drive.

4. “Now That’s What I Call Shakespeare Festival” – Castro Valley

• What & When: An open-air, one-act festival featuring curated scenes from beloved plays like Othello, Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing (plus inspired originals).

• When: July 18–27, 2025

• Where: Heirloom East Bay, 9990 Crow Canyon Rd., Castro Valley—very convenient for East Bay residents.
  BroadwayWorld

5. Vallejo Shakespeare in the Park💚

• An annual free, community-oriented Shakespeare production in parks around Vallejo, Crockett, Martinez, Piedmont, and Oakland. Picnic-friendly and inclusive of multi-ethnic casting. The last performance this year of AS YOU YOU LIKE IT was on Saturday, August 16, 2025. It was held at Vino GodFather Winery Park in Mare Island, Vallejo.   I attended the Friday performance. https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-vallejo-shakespeare-in-park.html
  Theatre Bay AreavshakesFacebook

At-a-Glance Summary

Show / Festival	Location	Dates	Admission
“Cymbeline” – Actors Ensemble of Berkeley	John Hinkel Park, Berkeley	July 4 & weekends Jul 5–20	Free
“The Taming of the Shrew” – Actors Ensemble of Berkeley	Same venue	Aug 16–Sept 1 (weekends)	Free
Free Shakespeare in the Park – SF Shakespeare Festival	Redwood City (also other locations)	Aug 9–24 (Redwood City shows)	Free
“Now That’s What I Call Shakespeare Festival”	Castro Valley	July 18–27	Ticketed (likely)
Vallejo Shakespeare in the Park (annual tour)💚	Vallejo, Crockett, Martinez, Oakland	Summer dates vary	Free

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Final Thoughts

If you're looking for something super close and free, you can’t go wrong with Cymbeline or The Taming of the Shrew at John Hinkel Park in Berkeley—both very accessible and seasonally fresh. I attended Vallejo Shakespeare In the Park of 'AS YOU LIKE IT last Friday, August 15. It was well acted and directed presentation with an all inclusive multi-ethnic casting.