PAGADIAN CITY, February 18
- - - Driven by the passion to express themselves through painting,
visual artists from all over the country gathered at Megayon Stage, Dao in this
city on Feb. 7-11 for the Philippine Visual Arts Festival.
The National Commission
for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in cooperation with the provincial government
of Zamboanga del Sur through Governor Antonio H. Cerilles sponsored the event
with the theme, “Ani ng Sining” and its sub-theme, “Celebrating Icons.”
“This is not only about
festival. It is also a bonding of all artists in the country and establishing a
network. Further, this could be the realization in coming up with a national
visual artists’ directory in order for NCCA to have easy access to artists in
the regions,” said master artist Nemesio Miranda, head of the National
Committee on Visual Arts.
NCCA wants the regions to
have access to all its programs and grants.
Miranda said every region
has something to teach to other regions and encouraged artists to draw a
symbolism of their place, or whatever it is known for. “How will an art form
become an instrument for peace? So it depends on how well we express ourselves
through technique, culture and tradition,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Mr. Raul Isidro,
a Fine Arts graduate of the Philippine Women’s University (PWU) who has been
nominated as a national artist said he was into painting since 1965.
“I am here to encourage
the younger crop of artists and to interact with them,” said Isidro.
“Noon kasi, ang tawag sa mga artists ay gutom. Hindi ka makabuhay ng
pamilya. (Before, artists are
associated with the word hungry, you can’t even raise a family) Nowadays, it’s
a different story. You can show to the public that this is a decent profession,”
he added.
Isidro went into abstract
painting in 1970 and developed his own style as he matured. Asked how
Philippine artists fare compared with other countries, Isidro has this to say.
“We are at par with our Asean counterparts, Europe and other countries.
“Young artists should be
observant of the current art trend. They have an advantage now because of the
internet where you can have access to the websites. You don’t even have to go
to school kung wala kang panggastos
(if don’t have money),” Isidro quipped. Another advantage for young artists is
that we have several competitions here and abroad with fabulous cash prizes.
Another great artist, Al
Perez of Hagonoy, Bulacan said he wanted to take up Fine Arts when he was
young. His parents said he would starve if he would go into painting.
“When I took up Fine Arts,
I proved to them na hindi ako nagkamali
ng (I was not wrong in my) career choice, nasa puso ko talaga ang (I really love) painting,” he recalled.
Perez and Isidro have attended international arts festival several times
together.
“I paint churches and beautiful
spots of the Philippines, Mother and Child, Virgin Mary and even mosques,”
narrated Perez. Now, he’s into painting cathedrals all over the world.
Indeed, Philippine Visual Arts continues to nurture a flourishing cultural environment that encourages the development of independent and responsive artists who aspire for artistic excellence. And with the support artists are gaining from the government through NCCA, it is not far off that they attain world class status. (PIA9)