By Franklin P. Gumapon
PAGADIAN CITY – To preserve the arts and
culture of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Zamboanga del Sur, the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has formally opened yesterday its
“Schools for the Living Tradition Gallery” along P. Urro st., San Francisco District
this city.
The gallery serves as the craft center where the artworks
and hand-woven crafts like baskets, mats, hats, textile, etc. are being
displayed to popularize the arts and culture of the Subanen, Maguindaoan and
other IP groups in the province.
In his message, City Councilor Bievenido Culve said the
gallery “is a welcome development for the city,” as it showcases the unique arts
and crafts of the IPs in the area. “Art is not a form of propaganda; it’s a
form of truth,” Culve stressed.
On the other hand, Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga of the
Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9, commended the NCCA for setting up the
said gallery in the city as it would certainly help promote the culture of the
IPs.
Mr. Roservirico Tan, chief of the Regional Public Affairs
Office (RPAO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-9,
also reiterated the agency’s programs aimed at helping out the IP communities
like the National Greening Program, processing of Ancestral Domain Claims and
others. While Ms. Margarita Baya of the National Commission on Indigenous
Peoples (NCIP)-9 urged the IPs especially the young ones to help preserve their
culture by learning and using their dialects, dances, songs, customs and
practices. “If we don’t do this, where will we be two to five years from now?”
she asked.
Also present during the opening of the craft center were
representatives from the Department of Education (DepEd), tribal leaders and
cultural masters who are engaged in teaching ethnic arts and crafts.
The Dumendingan Arts Guild, Inc., a consortium of local
artists, is tasked with manning the said gallery.
