Baguio Davao art fest slated

BAGUIO CITY -- It is all systems go for local artists who signified to be part of a rare Cordillera-Mindanao art exchange program that features creative works of talents from Baguio and Davao.

Among the artists named as of press time are Vincent Bay-an, Tor Sagud, Gerald Asbucan, Evjita Manjano, Raquel Diokno, Oliver Abuan, Art Tibaldo and Alex Pastrana Musni, the limbless artist being assisted by the group.

They will be joined by newsmen Carl Taawan, Eladio JJ Landingin and Maricar Docyogen who also serves as coordinator for the artists.

According to Tibaldo who planned the art encounter with fellow artist Daryl De Leon Descallar of Davao, the Baguio artists are scheduled to exhibit in Davao City on May 18-24.

In like manner, the Davao artists will be coming to Baguio on September this year for a similar activity.

Both Tibaldo and Descallar who are both fine arts graduates of the University of Santo Tomas believes that the interaction of RP’s two distinct cultures will create a ripple effect among the various art disciplines in the regions.

During the recent Art X Fusion event of the Pasakalye artists, Descallar came up to Baguio in time for the Panagbenga flower festival and both collaborated on a painting that depicted Cordillera’s lizard and Mindanao’s iconic bird Sarimanok.

Banking on the sale of their works that are currently being showcased in hotels and exhibit venues, the participating artists hopes that the city government will also provide material and financial assistance for their plane fare and travel expense.

Since Davao is a sister city of Baguio, Tibaldo hopes said art event will likewise be recognized as an official community event of the city.

Aside from showcasing their personal crafts, the artists are also expected to do performances representing the cultures of the Cordillera hence the participation of the local tourism office is expected.

On the part of Alex Pastrana Musni, the Cor-Min Art Exchange is a major artistic event for this limbless artist and also his first time to cross the shore and visit other places over a hundred kilometers according to Docyogen.

Considering this could be a once-in-a-life opportunity for the cash strapped Baguio artists to be able to showcase their works in a culture rich destination such as Mindanao, they appeal to the local community for assistance by patronizing their works that are on display at the Bookends Bookshop, Green Valley Baguio Sunshine Festival and later this month at the Baguio Country Club.  -- Cordillera news Agency