BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Third District Representative Francisco “Kiko” Benitez lauded the talents and effort of the Silay United Group of Artists and Volunteers who made possible the revival of the Cinco de Noviembre Wall Mural located in front of the Balay Negrense Museum at Cinco de Noviembre St. in Silay City, Negros Occidental.
In a statement, Benitez said the wall mural captured the “ingenuity of our ancestors” and celebrates the “fervor of patriotism and nationalism that remains alive among Silaynons and Negrosanons to this day,” as he enjoined all to continue preserving and conserving the artistic and cultural heritage and legacy that abounds in the province.
Leading the unveiling of the revived 1998 Cinco de Noviembre mural held November 12, Benitez said it also coincided with the celebration of the Feast of San Diego de Alcala, the Patron Saint of Silay.
Joining him were Silay City Councilors Ryan Gamboa and Lyndon Bernardo, Silay Tourism Officer Gerle Sulmaca and Tourism Consultant Ver Pacete.
The SUGA artists who worked on the wall mural include Zildjian Bacnutan, Rainer Cossas, Judie Vega, Julian Flores, Alvin Infante, France Louise Asejo, Kyle Christian Britanico, Juliard Clyde Padios, Roland Dayon, Edsie Sazon Valladarez, and Ian Valladarez.
The wall mural revival project is a collaboration of Balay Negrense Museum, SUGA, the Silay City government led by Mayor Joedith Gallego and the congressional office of Benitez.
Rep. Benitez, who champions the promotion and advocacy of arts, music, culture and gastronomy not only in the Third District but also in Negros Occidental, is the vice-chairperson of the Special Committee on Creative Industries in the 19th Congress.*
