“THE TASK of art is enormous,” wrote novelist Leo Tolstoy in his book “What is Art?” While we can capture glimpses of it in dances, paintings, poetry, music, and other creative endeavors, its entirety is difficult to grasp. Art is felt in the heart and resonates in the soul.
During the culmination of National Arts Month on February 28th at Taboan, Matina Town Square, artists representing the works of the three Gawad ng Sining Dabaw awardees performed excerpts of their creations. This marked the first time the city and the Rotary Club of Downtown bestowed these awards, honoring artists who have significantly contributed to the city’s arts and culture development.
In his speech, delivered by City Administrator Atty. Layug, Mayor Sebastian Duterte acknowledged that “art serves as a vessel of communication and a fundamental symbol of human civilization. By giving significance to the value of art in its many forms, we continue to preserve our history and cultural heritage, as well as promote self-expression and creativity in our communities.”
What distinguished this event from previous art gatherings was the establishment of an office under the city mayor’s office dedicated to serving artists. Councilor Pila Braga, author of the ordinance that created the Office of Culture and the Arts—the first of its kind in Mindanao, and possibly the country—stated that the event honored the “heartbeat” of the city: artists, storytellers, and cultural visionaries.
“Davao City has long been a cradle of creativity and a beacon of cultural pride. Our local artists breathe life into our traditions, infuse soul into our history, and open doors to endless possibilities through their artistry.”
Officials from the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) showed their full support during the celebration. NCCA Chair Victor Mapa Manalo, NMP Arvin Manuel Villalon, and other subcommittee officers, including Arch. Glory Rose Dy-Metilla and Maree Cayos, were present. Soprano Nene Espina with Joed Balsamo on piano captivated the audience with two songs, and multi-awarded filmmaker and film historian Nick Deocampo attended after his two-day event at Holy Cross College of Davao and NMP-Davao.
Arts Month celebrations also took place at colleges and universities, including Holy Cross College of Davao with their two-day “Salida: Mampukaw sa Madla” and UP Mindanao with its own art event.
The three awardees honored that night were:
- Visual artist and creative performer Elenita “Boots” Dumalo.
- The late Sabrino Ibarra, known as the Father of Rondalla.
- Nestor Horfilla, a pillar of the Mindanao Theatre Network.
The Magallanes Elementary School Rondalla opened the program with a touching rendition of the national anthem, “Lupang Hinirang,” and surprised the audience with a performance of the popular contemporary song “Mundo” by IV of Spades.
The Kaliwat Theatre Collective presented a powerful song, skit, and dance that offered social commentary on the challenges faced by farmers and indigenous people in their pursuit of development.
The Kathara theatre group delivered a hauntingly beautiful presentation, likely excerpts from “Sa Daloy ng Buhay,” which premiered last year. Described as “a feast for the senses,” this contemporary theater piece, written, executive produced, and directed by Dumlao, translates her mixed media paintings and those of her artist-co-producers into sounds, movements, music, poetry, verses, and dances, weaving a narrative of creation, destruction, and enduring hope.
Sabrino Ibarra, who passed away last month, taught music and organized bands throughout his career. He started teaching music at Magallanes Elementary School in 1960, where he formed the school’s Rondalla. He also organized bands at San Pedro Church and Ascension Parish in Matina. Starting in 1986, he led the school band in national competitions, including one at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. He later taught music at the University of Mindanao and Ateneo de Davao University, and trained various groups, including the Knights of Rizal and senior citizens in Matina, for competitions.
Nestor Horfilla, an anthropologist by training, is a multidisciplinary artist dedicated to promoting Davaoeño and Mindanawon culture and arts. A theater director and dramaturg, he has produced over 110 theater productions focused on the multicultural stories of Davao and Mindanao, performed both nationally and internationally. He is a sought-after festival director and exhibition curator, working with the country’s tourism department and various local government units. Horfilla pioneered the development of new culture and eco-tourism projects in the Davao Region, and is a passionate community educator and program director for grassroots cultural action programs in indigenous communities. He is also the founder of the award-winning Kaliwat Theater Collective and served as the executive director of the Kulturang Atin Foundation and MINDULANI.
As Oscar Casaysay stated, the Office of Culture and the Arts will ensure the sustainability of this event and provide artists with the long-overdue services of the local government.
For artists, this may be a small step, but the acknowledgment and promise of support are what truly matter.
