In China, I Found the Grandeur of God’s Creation

MARILYN ALCANTARA LEUNG, DDM

I often wondered why I was always drawn to or enamored by China. Could it be because Chinese blood from my maternal grandfather runs in my veins or because I married a Chinese? I may have also been awed by the beauty and grandeur of China and the diversity of its culture. It may be a combination of all these factors, but foremost I guess was the last one.

One of my husband’s favorite travel destinations, when he was still alive, was China. In 1990, when he broached the idea of bringing the whole family there, I felt some sense of anxiety after having heard many negative stories about the country from friends and relatives.  My 3 sons, who had the opportunity to experience China during their Xavier School study tours there, were not that enthusiastic either, but my husband prevailed.

To my surprise, after seeing several provinces of china and its people, my apprehension turned into excitement. The sceneries, landscapes, history, architecture, museums, relics, art, and culture gave me a new insight into the country. From then on, I jumped into every opportunity to go back with my husband, family, or in-laws.

These are the places we have traveled to in China: Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Yunnan, Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei, Chongqing, Shaanxi, Xinjiang, Gansu, and Guangdong.

In China, I witnessed the grandeur of God’s creation. What I have seen and experienced prompted me to paint about that country and its people, my first exhibit’s title having been ‘a glimpse of china’. My second and third ones likewise partly showcased the same subject matter.