The City Tourism Office started the 1st Emagina Mural Painting activity in the slope protection wall located at Sitio Dungga, Brgy. Maricalum, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental on March 23.
The 4-day activity was part of the 21st Charter Anniversary Celebration of the city in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Around twenty (20) local artists from the city worked to complete the 24-meter-wide by 3-meter-high painting.
Lead artist Neff Panerio who conceptualized the design, said that the art will include elements of the sea, the city and the mountains. He also added that it will include things that the city is known for such as the kite festival, the “barongoy” or flying fish, other animals such as the spotted deer and the Visayan tarictic hornbill.
Davies Paints sponsored the colorful paints that are being used and provided free shirts for the artist while Smart Communications provided canopy tents to protect the artists from the summer heat and rain.
Gylene Meg Galilea, 19, an architecture student from Brgy. 5, Sipalay and one of the artists in the event said that she is happy to be given the chance to be part of the event and to be able to express herself through art.
Isidro Cordellia, 62, a painter and resident of Brgy. San Jose, Sipalay went with his son to join the event andas delighted that everything is coming back to normal and such events are now allowed. He also said that he is honored to join the local artists in the city in completing the painting.
If given enough time, the artists planned to expand the painting and include mangroves, the sunset and the SS Panay shipwreck found in the city. They are hoping that travelers passing through the area will be pleased to see their work once it is completed.*
