This gift is a watercolor painting of a lively celebration demonstrating the artist’s mastery of fine folk-art techniques and is rich with cultural scenes. Much of the artist’s inspiration comes from his home, Laguna, Philippines, and the people and culture thriving there.

The well-known Philippine artist, Manuel D. Baldemor, is a painter, sculptor, printmaker, writer and book illustrator. Aside from this artwork in New York, he has many works on display in United Nations related groups, including the mural-like painting Pasasalamat (Thanksgiving) in the UN Vienna office (IAEA), UNICEF Christmas greeting cards for 18 years straight, and UNESCO has held an exhibition in Paris, France for the artist in 2013. 

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, Alberto G. Romulo, unveiled the painting and presented it to the United Nations and Under-Secretary-General Shashi Tharoor accepted it on behalf of the United Nations.