• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego and Councilor Ryan Gamboa led the opening of a clay sculpture exhibition showcasing the historical significance of Cinco de Noviembre at the Silay City Art Space and Showroom (Puericulture Center) in Silay City, Negros Occidental, Saturday.
Titled “Cinco de Noviembre” or Negros Day, the exhibit showcases the terracotta sculptures of Ramon de los Santos, a member of the Board of the Art Association of Bacolod-Negros (AAB-N), the second longest-running art group in the country, next to the Art Association of the Philippines.
De los Santos, a visual artist and sculptor from Talisay, is also an active member of the Association of Talisay Artists. His love for local history led him to create a set of sculptures portraying some scenes from the Cinco de Noviembre revolution, which is commemorated every November 5 in Negros Island.
These early pieces were commissioned by the Learning Thru Art Program of the Balay Negrense Development Corporation (BNDC), to be part of the collection of the Balay Negrense Museum, when it opens after its full restoration. Seven years later, in cooperation with BNDC, De los Santos has created more series to help tell the Cinco de Noviembre story as the Province marked the 125th anniversary of this momentous time in Negros history.
The exhibition will run until Nov. 12.*
