• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
The City Government of Bacolod, through the Tourism Operations Office, in partnership with Megaworld Bacolod, and the Art Association of Bacolod Negros (AABN), commemorated National Arts Month from February 27 to March 1 by showcasing the diverse talents of local artists of Bacolod City.
Themed “Ani ng Sining Bacolodnon Malikhain,” the four-day event opened with a group art exhibition at The Upper East House on Feb. 27 with Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and Councilor Jason Villarosa as guests of honor.
Benitez said, “Arts and culture is the heart and soul of Bacolod. This is where we find the being, the substance, the essence of the city and its people.”
“It is very important that we nourish our artists. We should promote and support their endeavors because this is how we define the city and its people. Rest assured we have several programs that will support and encourage their creation and development,” the mayor said during the program.
He hopes that the history of Bacolod will be known through the arts that the artists produce. “So we would like to take care of that and nurture that and we would like to make sure that they are properly representing the city and its people,” Benitez said, adding that he also hopes Bacolod could produce a national artist among its ranks.
AABN president Tey Ihvonie Sevilleno said, “In Bacolod, we are surrounded by art – we have murals everywhere, we have plays, dances, beautiful architecture. We are naturally creative and artistic because it is nothing new to us and it is so natural for us to speak the language of art.”
“Our biggest celebration here is our MassKara Festival. It was created to uplift us in times of great sadness and gloom. It was started by artists of the Art Association of Bacolod-Negros along with the city government of Bacolod. So our language of celebration is through art. We thank the mayor for always supporting us and in this 50th year of AABN, we would like to serve the city more as artists in the best way we know how, through our art,” Sevilleno added.
A live-sketching session by Ramon Delos Santos and Binalaybay (poetry) by Ryn Paul Gonzles and Revo Yanson followed the formal opening.
A two-day art workshop was conducted by AABN member Jenevieve Abeto on Feb. 28 and 29 at McDonald’s at The Upper East, attended by Arts and Design students of La Consolacion College on the first day, and city department heads and Megaworld officers and staff on the second day.
Capping the 2024 National Arts Month celebration was a fashion show on March 1 at The Upper East directed by Dwight Rosslyn Morana Jr., where local artists/designers Princy Martir, Chrysee Samillano, Doreen Dofitas, February Cheryl and Mari Zayco participated, as well as Patty Jane Ong, who conceptualized the show.
Cultural performers included hiphop group STI West Street Camp West Negros University, Johpong & Psyke, hiphop group Counterclockwise, during a program hosted by Ericka and Joshua from the Bacolod PIO.
Present at the culminating activity were Bacolod Councilor Em Ang, Chief Bacolod Tourism Operations Officer Ma. Teresa Manalili and Tin Yusingco-Torre, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls general manager.
Ang said the City of Bacolod is in tune with the recent passing of Republic Act No. 11904, which recognizes the creative industry sector, and is in full support of all the artists in the city.*
