BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon
(The piece below is by
the Philippine Information Agency)
LA
TRINIDAD, Benguet – “Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with
today, and what we pass on to future generations.” - UNESCO
Prompted
by concern on the indigenous culture becoming a thing of the past, a gallery
cum museum enshrining Benguet cultural heritage was recently opened
in this capital town of Benguet.
Located
at the Dangwa Square along km 6 near the Strawberry fields, the Dap-ayan
Gallery cum Museum houses carved wood artifacts and crafts, farm implements,
woven bags, tools, accessories, gallery of photos, portraits mainly from the 13
towns of Benguet and nearby provinces.
***
The
gallery is owned by spouses Jocelyn and Martes Atonen who both hail from Bakun,
Benguet. It started as a hobby back in 1998 when the couple established
their first restaurant which afforded them to purchase priceless items and
other collections.
Jocelyn noticed then
that apparently indigenous culture is becoming a thing of the past. Add to this
the fact that some tourists who go to their restaurant ask if there is any
gallery or museum they can visit in town. In La Trinidad is the
Provincial Museum at the Capitol Compound. which is under repair.
The idea to put up one
grew bigger. Visiting galleries and museums was an opportunity for Jocelyn to
pick some concepts in coming up with a display of an array of collection.
As the Atonen’s
restaurant business flourished with a number of branches in the La Trinidad
valley, the Dap-ayan Gallery cum Museum, which is named after the restaurant,
finally became a reality.
Preserving
and promoting culture
One of the oldest heaps
the Dap-ay boasts of are native baskets like the kayabang and labba.
There
is also a gallery of Benguet landscapes and tourist landmarks. The old
photos date back in the 1960s. There are also portraits sketched by Crispin
Alangdeo, an artist in their home town in Bakun.
Asked
if she would be selling some of the items in her collection, Jocelyn said it is
“for your eyes only” and solely intended for the gallery. Nowadays, finds of
such kinds are difficult to chance upon, she added.
Governor Crescencio
Pacalso said this would be a venue for children to reconnect and trace back
their ancestral origins while showcasing the talents and craftsmanship of local
artists.
The place can also
accommodate potential and unknown artist to display their artworks. Hopefully,
several years from now, a local artist will emerge and be at the national
limelight, Pacalso quipped. Exposure is vital which paves the way for the
development of artists’ talents and skills, he said.
Fr.
Marlon Urmaza of the Diocese of Baguio – Benguet, who administered the
religious rites in the gallery, shared insights on the integration of
culture and religion introduced by Vatican II which is now embraced by the
Catholic faith.
It is important to go
back to culture which traces back the origins of one’s existence. With the
advent of gadgets in the digital age, Fr. Urmaza said, the setting up of the
gallery cum museum is fitting for the people to look back to on the way of life
back then.
Acting Provincial
Tourism Officer Eleazar Carias also recognized the efforts of the owners who
emerged as their partner in realizing one of the tasks of the Provincial
Tourism Office which is preservation and promotion of culture.
“It is high time for
us to look back to history. Relearn from our history and pass it to the next
generation,” he said adding that culture and tradition are being forgotten and
worst may eventually resort to losing one’s own identity with the changing
times focused on other developments.
The
showcasing of crafts would also open the market for those in the weaving
industry to promote and preserve the province’s culture, Department of Trade
and Industry Provincial Director Freda Gawisan said.
***
For
now, no fee is collected for one to know, understand and appreciate the rich
culture of Benguet in the Dap-ayan gallery.
Municipal Mayor Romeo
Salda said tourism is one of the priority programs of the local
government. The Dap-ayan Gallery and Museum will be part of the town’s destinations
such as the Strawberry Farm, Stobosa, Bell Church, Mt. Yangbew and be
incorporated in the town’s tourism plan, he said.
The
Dap-ayan is one of the vehicles in promoting the town, Salda said as he
acknowledged the owners and expressed hope that their partnership with the
local government will be sustained.
Pacalso also enjoined
tourism officers to include and promote the place to tourists and locals alike.
The
gallery’s opening is timely as the provincial museum is currently under repair.
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