A. Chester Ong will talk about the stunning, eclectic Ocampo Pagoda which was built in 1940 in Quiapo, Manila by an eccentric patron of the arts, narrating its captivating history and how it became part of the local community. Photo-documenting the pagoda’s restoration, he will discuss and compare its aesthetics to the Kenkohji Temple currently being built in Yokohama-Tsurumi, Japan, whose construction he is likewise documenting as work progresses. A. Chester Ong will explore aspects of medieval japanese and European architecture which inspired the design of the pagoda and its details and explain their symbolism rooted in Chinese, Tibetan, Japanese and medieval European mythology. 

About the Speaker

A. Chester Ong is an internationally-known photographer of Filipino-Chinese origin based in Hong Kong. He has extensively photographed throughout Asia, especially in China, and his photos have been published in many landmark publications, journals and books, such as China Style; China Houses: The Architectural Heritage of a Nation; Chinese Furniture: A Guide to Collecting Antiques; and Tropical Living: Contemporary Dream Houses in the Philippines.