TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The city government and the Department of Trade and Industry in Kalinga recognized individuals and organizations for their significant contributions to the city’s cultural and creative sectors during the closing program and awarding ceremony of the Mangwa Creative Festival on November 29 at the Davidson Hotel.
Dubbed as Tabuk City Mangwa Creative Icons, City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Officer Arlene Odiem said that the 15 awardees played an immense role and contribution to the city and society through their creative work in various fields including traditional cultural expression, performing arts, design, print media, audio-visual, and digital media.
Among the awardees are: Living Anitos Band- Audio Visual (longest-running band); Kalinga State University- Digital Interactive Media; St. Louis College of Bulanao- Creative Service Culture and Heritage Center; Naneng Weavers Association- Design & Textile; Daram Cudal Weavers Association- Design & Textile; Barangay Bagumbayan- Design (Architecture); Estanislao Albano- Publishing and Printed Media (Journalism); Placido Alsiyang- Publishing and Printed Media (Commentary); Tabuk Artist Organization (TAO-KA)- Performing Arts (Live Music); Frederick Pangsiw- Performing Arts (Kalinga Live Music); and Aaron Pocais-Visual Arts (Antique Collection); Alejo Dagupon- Traditional Cultural Expression- (Arts/Crafts); Pablo Bawer- Traditional Cultural Expression (Crafts); Naneng Heritage Village- Traditional Cultural Expression (Historical Townsite); Nambaran Artistic Tombs- Traditional Cultural Expression (Monumental Structure); and Posthumous award: Ms. Lourdes Dumay Taldiao- design & textile weaving.
Mayor Darwin C. Estrañero, represented by City Information Officer Aurora Amilig, congratulated the awardees, commending their talent and dedication. He reaffirmed the city’s commitment to support artists and the strengthening of the local creative industry.
“The Mangwa Creative Festival is now an integral part of our city’s creative landscape, and we are committed to making it even better each year,” he said.
Vice Mayor Dick G. Bal-o, represented by Basil Baluyan, said that recognition of the creative icons is a celebration of a community united by creativity, talent, and a shared commitment to preserving and promoting our cultural identity.
The event also recognized the winners of the various contests held throughout the month-long Mangwa Creative Festival. By Tabuk PIO
