Dayaw Festival in Baguio Highlights Northern Philippines Indigenous Cultures

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the prime government agency for arts and culture headed by its chairman Felipe M. De Leon Jr., will be holding the Luzon leg of its Dayaw 2014: The Indigenous Peoples Festival, touted to be biggest gathering of Philippine indigenous peoples, from October 22 to 23, 2014, in Baguio City.



The two-day festival will feature forums on issues and concerns of the indigenous peoples; demonstrations of traditional crafts and cuisines; recognition of cultural masters; an exhibit of photographs and crafts; and outreach performances of ethnic songs and dances.

The Dayaw Festival in Baguio is organized by the NCCA, the Negros Cultural Foundation, Inc. and the city government of Baguio in partnership with the Department of Tourism - Cordillera Administrative Region (DOT-CAR), the provincial government of Benguet, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA-CAR), SM City Baguio, Onjon ni Ivadoy Association, the University of the Philippines Baguio and the Benguet State University.

It will be participated in by indigenous groups of northern Philippines including Gaddang, Isinay, Tinggian, Itneg, Ibanag, Yogad, Itawit, Malaweg, Kasiguran, Ivatan, Itbayat, Bugkalot, Isnag, Kalinga, Ifugao, Ibaloi, Kankanaey, Balangao, Bontok, Applai, Ilocano, Bolinao, Pangasinan, Tagalog, Sambal, Pampangan, Ayta, Agta, Mangyan, Palawani, Molbog, Jama Mapun, Tagbanua, Pala’wan, Agutaynen, Bicolano, Batak and Cuyunon.


The Balangao of Mountain Province

The Baguio celebration is part of the nationwide celebration of Dayaw 2014: The Indigenous Peoples Festival, which will have events in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Organized by NCCA’s Subcommission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts (SCCTA), headed by commissioner Al-Anwar Anzar, Dayaw is annually held in celebration of National Indigenous Peoples’ Month observed every October, showcasing the different indigenous groups of the country, and an enriching and interesting array of activities including performances, rituals, forums, traditional cuisine demos, traditional games, arts and crafts exhibit and cultural tours, among others.

Dayaw aims to highlight the importance and richness of indigenous cultures, to discuss issues indigenous peoples face today and facilitate interactions with other indigenous peoples. It also aims to mine traditional knowledge as well as draw inspiration and insight from indigenous ways of life to find solutions for modern problems.

In previous years, Dayaw gathered indigenous peoples in one venue. This year, it will be held in three different venues in the three major island clusters of the country. It will have the theme “Katutubong Filipino Para sa Kalikasan at Kapayapaan” (Indigenous Filipino for the Environment and Peace).

In the Visayas, Dayaw will be held from November 10 to 11, 2014, in Bacolod City, also in partnership with Negros Cultural Foundation, Inc. It will be participated in by indigenous groups of central Philippines including Ati, Panay Bukidnon, Waray, Abaknon, Hiligaynon, and Cebuano.

In Mindanao, Dayaw will be held from November 6 to 7, 2014, in Zamboanga City, also in partnership with Zamboanga City Indigenous Peoples Council of Leaders. It will be participated in by indigenous groups of southern Philippines including Yakan, Subanen, Manobo, Higaonon, Bagobo, Mandaya, Mansaka, B’laan, Sangir, Ata Manobo, T’boli, Teduray, Arumanen, Mamanwa, Maranao, Magindanao, Iranun and Tausug.


Sen. Loren Legarda (center) with NCCA officials (from left) the National Committee on Central Cultural Communities head Alphonsus Tesoro; NCCA chairman Felipe M. de Leon Jr.; the National Committee on Southern Cultural Communities and SCCTA head Al-Anwar Anzar; and National Committee on Northern Cultural Communities head Edwin V. Antonio
Senator Loren Legarda, who is the chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, expressed her support for the festival.

“Our indigenous peoples never fail to amaze me. Whenever I visit a province and go to IP communities, I always discover marvelous things about our culture and heritage like intricately woven fabrics, cultural songs, chants and dances that narrate the story of our ancestors, and the distinct way of life that our indigenous peoples, who are our culture-bearers, strive to preserve,” she said during the press conference of Dayaw. “We have a very rich culture. I salute our indigenous peoples for preserving our culture and I thank the NCCA, led by chair Jun De Leon, for always showcasing our indigenous heritage through the Dayaw Festival.”

In line with this year’s Dayaw theme, Sen. Legarda commented: “It is sad to note that while our IPs contribute the least with respect to carbon emissions due to their simple and sustainable lifestyles and practices, they are most affected by the consequences of climate change. As we work on measures to better protect the environment and conserve our biodiversity, I urge our IPs to continue to be the primary guardians of the environment.”

Legarda also assured that she is working on other measures that will benefit indigenous peoples and their communities. Among the bills filed in the Senate for the welfare of IPs and for cultural preservation are: Ethnic Origin Act; Department of Culture Act; Traditional folk arts preservation through National Museum’s regional branches; Traditional Property Rights of IPs Act; Equal Employment Opportunities for IPs Act; Resource Centers for IPs Act; and Anti-Religious and Racial Profiling Act.

Legarda is particularly supportive of the country’s weaving traditions. She helped create the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino textile gallery at the National Museum as well as promote indigenous weaves.


The Itneg of Abra

Since the signing of Presidential Proclamation 1906, declaring October as National Indigenous Peoples’ Month, the NCCA has been annually celebrating the occasion in different parts of the country through Dayaw. In 2007, Kalimudan: Panaghi-usa sa Mindanao (Mindanao Indigenous Peoples’ Gathering) was held in Davao City in November, featuring Mindanao’s ethnic groups. The following year, Timpuyog: Indigenous Peoples’ Month Celebration in Luzon was held in Santiago City, Isabela, focusing on Luzon ethnic groups and featuring performances, arts and crafts workshops, cultural awareness lectures, forums, tours, and a theme-park exhibition featuring the traditional houses, cultural resources, practices/rituals, chants, music, songs and dances, stories, traditional arts and crafts, indigenous games. In 2009, the Indigenous Peoples’ Festival was held in the Visayas, particularly in Roxas City, Capiz, called Dungog, with similar activities and aims. Dayaw 2010 was held in Metro Manila, and in 2011, it was held in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. In 2013, Dayaw graced the province of Bulacan. Last year, Dayaw was slated to be held in Tacloban City but super typhoon Yolanda hit the region. It was reprogrammed into psychosocial and arts for healing activities in Leyte, Bohol, Aklan and Cebu.

The SCCTA is composed of the National Committee on Northern Cultural Communities headed by Edwin V. Antonio, the National Committee on Central Cultural Communities headed by Alphonsus Tesoro, and the National Committee on Southern Cultural Communities headed by Al-Anwar Anzar. They are assisted by Marichu Tellano, chief of the Plan/Policy Formulation, and Programming Division and Renee Talavera, SCCTA section head of the NCCA secretariat.

Read More »

Yuchengco Museum Offers "Business Savvy for Creatives" Program for Artists, Creatives, and Designers

Are you an artist or designer facing difficulties in sustaining your business? Are you overwhelmed by business tasks such as managing production, inventory, and personnel; funding new projects; planning for expansion; or complying with government requirements?

Learn how you can break from the stereotype of the “starving artist” and become a business-keen creative entrepreneur. Yuchengco Museum, in partnership with Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) and Business and Professional Women’s Network (BPW) Makati, present “Business Savvy for Creatives,” a new two-day seminar-workshop that teaches creative industry practitioners what they need to know about basic business—from identifying the unique selling points of their work to applying for a bank loan. “Business Savvy for Creatives” runs for two days from November 6 – 7, 2014, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Yuchengco Museum.

“Business Savvy for Creatives” is a practical investment for creative practitioners, such as artists, designers, and creative professionals, who want understand the business side of art to make their artistic endeavors profitable and sustainable. Participants will learn basic business skills training through informative sessions, Q&A discussions, and hands-on workshops with successful creative entrepreneurs, business experts, and RCBC officers. Among the topics to be covered are understanding your products and markets, using financial statements in running your creative business, mapping potential markets, addressing concerns with managing resources, creating and plotting a business plan, preparing for special projects, and applying for a business loan. The seminar-workshop will be facilitated by Jeannie Javelosa and Dannie Alvarez of Yuchengco Museum, Renato Carpio of RCBC, and specially invited speakers and panelists such as Oliver Segovia of AVA.ph, Chiqui Go of Mansmith and Fielders, Tony Gonzales of A Greeting Card Company, Zarah Juan of Greenleaf Bags, and Pacita Juan of ECHOsi Foundation.

Seminar fee is P2,500, which includes snacks and refreshments, a kit and materials, a certificate of attendance, and admission to Yuchengco Museum. A discounted fee of P2,000 is available to Yuchengco Group of Companies account holders, plan holders, employees, as well as students. Seminar slots are limited, and registration is required before October 30. For details and registration, contact Yuchengco Museum at (632) 889-1234 or email abrina_programs@yuchengcomuseum.org. Yuchengco Museum is located at RCBC Plaza, Corner Ayala and Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenues, Makati City.

Read More »

The Mabini Art of Paco Gorospe

The Mabini Art of Paco Gorospe
GSIS Museum
October 16 – November 14, 2014

It has been written that a civilization is not so much defined by the amount of currency it possesses as by the wealth of its people’s character as reflected in its literature, music, dance, film, visual arts, architecture, and theater.

By looking at an overview of the development of visual arts in the Philippines, and then focusing on the life and contribution of one modernist painter who strove to overcome his own personal limitations to develop his own style and thus bridge the gap between street art and fine art, we hope to achieve a better appreciation for the rich legacy of talent and cultural wealth we have as a nation.

Luna and Hidalgo had already proven to the world that the Philippines was able to compete with Spain when it came to the visual arts during the period of Spanish colonization; the Neorealists have proven that Filipinos were global in the mid-twentieth century; Francisco “Paco” Gorospe, as a member of the Mabini Triumverate of modernist painters, and on his own, has proven that the lack of a college degree is not a hindrance but rather an opportunity to rise above mediocrity.

Paco Gorospe was just like any other man with hopes and dreams. He differed in that instead of harnessing his skills within the confines of a classroom, he pursued knowledge and skills from street corners and from life itself. He travelled to several places in the Visayas and Mindanao right after his secondary education, spending time with the locals and tribal minorities imbibing their way of life. He gave all that he had to something he derived pleasure from and made it his life’s vocation.

And because his art was his life, he tried to outdo himself in each phase of his artistic development, setting the standards a notch higher every time.

And so we find him progressing from painting movie billboards in Cagayan De Oro; to setting up his own gallery along Mabini Street in Ermita; to becoming the only non-graduate to be exhibited at the Philippine Art Gallery, bulwark of progressive Neorealists; to representing as Mabini artist the country in exhibits and in expositions abroad; and to accepting commissioned works from institutions and discriminating art collectors as a “self-educated” artist.

As such, culture and the public are benefited in that he has become the flag bearer for the Mabini School of Art at the time when Mabini was the center of art brokerage during postwar Philippines.

May we have the honor of introducing you to Francisco “Paco” Gorospe Sy of the Mabini School of Art. Transwing Art Gallery Inc.(www.kunst-gallery.eu) in cooperation with the GSIS Museum presents a retrospective of 71 artworks by Paco Gorospe covering all his stylistic experimentations covering various subject matters from people, landscapes, animals, to abstracts from October 16 until November 14, 2014. FREE ADMISSION.

Read More »

Samsung Launches Digital Gallery at Yuchengco Museum

Fast internet access and the rapid evolution of smart devices have enabled people to engage with information like never before. Younger people in particular—this "always on" generation—have choices to consume information and other forms of new media in volumes and varieties never experienced before by previous generations. Museums and other cultural institutions that preserve and impart the relevance of our history and culture now face the challenge of catching the younger generation's attention.

Samsung Electronics Philippines (SEPCO) has tied up with Yuchengco Museum in a long-term partnership to launch a permanent digital gallery on the third floor of the museum. Named the Samsung Digital Gallery, the space allows visitors to interact with digitized artworks by Filipinos masters and contemporary artists through the use of Samsung tablets and augmented reality technology. Now open to the public, the Samsung Digital Gallery provides the new generation of museum visitors a new way of further engaging and interacting with Filipino art. This also enables Yuchengco Museum to further its mission to promote the appreciation of art, culture, and history amongst its various audiences.

As a technology leader, SEPCO recognizes the challenge of attracting younger generations of museum goers. The Samsung Digital Gallery uses technology to bring back the passion for visiting museums and appreciating the joy of viewing art, as well as augments artists' tools with new ones that provide platforms for art to be more engaging and interactive. This innovative collaboration to create a permanent space germinated after the successful mounting of Relative Realities, an exhibit of select works of Filipino contemporary artists who worked with app developers with the aid of leveraging technology, smart devices, and the Internet. Succeeding museum-led exhibits will be complemented by the gallery. The Samsung Digital Gallery hopes to evolve with the audiences’ rapid adoption of new technologies. The gallery is dedicated to the digital generation, to whom our cultural heritage will be passed on to.

The Samsung Digital Gallery is located at Yuchengco Museum beginning mid-September 2014. The museum is located at RCBC Plaza, corner Ayala and Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenues, Makati. Museum hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (632) 889-1234 or visit www.yuchengcomuseum.org

Read More »