BAGUIO CITY – Celebrating the 6th year as UNESCO’s creative city for crafts and folk arts, under the theme “Create Change. Change Creates,” the city kicked-off the opening gala for Ibagiw celebration with an inauguration of Subli and the staging of theatrical Kalinga Legend, Mount Dinayao on Saturday at Baguio Convention Center.
Benedicto Cabrera, a national artist for visual arts and a member of the Baguio Arts Guild, presided over the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for Subli, a contemporary art exhibition showcasing the works of the organization’s former and present members. Thirty artists from the thirty-four years the guild has existed are on display at the BCCC Basement.
Cabrera said that he felt nostalgic and thankful for the annual festive conduct of Ibagiw but hoped for a bigger exhibition. He also added that he seeks for the younger generation to be more involved in the arts.
One of the photographs presented in the exhibit was the “A Small World” captured by Jayjay Cuyan, a Cordilleran artist. She told the media that her photo depicts a deep message of taking care of the bigger world that impacts the smaller world. The image highlighted a hermit crab hiding among the rocks, symbolizing a small world.
Meanwhile, the theatrical production of the Mount Dinayao was made possible through the collective efforts of various universities, performing groups and personalities in Baguio including Tanghalang SLU, SLU Concert Orchestra, Binnadang Cultural Dance Troupe, UB BIBAK, Libbun Kaafuan, Kadwa Drum Beats, Blue Ruins with JV Romawac, Karen Navarrete-Anto and Baguio Metamorphosis, Saamnatha Hamada and Araw Romawac.
Furthermore, Tourism Supervising Officer and the Creative Director for Ibagiw Engr. Aloysious Mapalo revealed that this year’s celebration will conduct an artist exchange called “The Gallery Take Over” between Baguio and Cebu that will take place on November 21,2023. He also mentioned the continued objective of Ibagiw to include the younger generation in barangays to participate in art making with the promotion of Cordilleran culture.
As he led the symbolic lightning of “fire of creativity,” Mayor Benjamin Magalong stated his sentiments on creative expressions that resonate to the spirit of the city and people for positive transformation. Then it was followed by a ceremonial toast of tapey.
The Ibagiw Creative Festival will last from November 11 to 25 and will showcase various activities featuring the creativity of people in Baguio. By Adrian Mas
