Painting, weaving, and exhibitions were the major activities during the recently concluded event that promotes the culture and arts of indigenous people in the island province of Palawan.
Dubbed as the Guhit Palaw’an, the on-spot-painting competition, was in line with the JCI Puerto Princesa Oil project entitled, Resurgence of Palawa’an Culture and Arts.
“As part of our advocacy on helping the Resurgence of Palawan Culture and Arts, JCI Puerto Princesa Oil conducted the Guhit Palaw’an on the spot painting contest to showcase the beauty of Palaw’an Culture and Arts and at same time to recognize the talents of our own local artist in Palawan,” said Rexlin Azarcon, 2019 Chapter President of JCI.
One of the members of JCI Puerto Princesa Oil also known for his upcycling artistry, Jc Enon initiated the project for Guhit Palaw’an and invited some local artists in Palawan to join the whole day event held at Marina de bay last December 21, 2018.
It was a spontaneous whole day event with Tingkop (harvest basket) weaving and exhibit held at the restaurant of Marina de bay with trainer and weaver Rosalinda Gacayan from Bataraza Tourism Office. The weaving activity was participated by members of JCI Puerto Princesa Oil, Puerto Princesa Kiao and some tourists.
Palawan local artists signed up and participated in painting contest “Guhit Palaw’an”. Some were members of Guhit Pinas-Palawan and Arts on the move artists, namely: Leonard Ansiong, Ramfil Dagumboy, Brian Kenneth Yatco, Ron Edrada and Stephanie Joyce Lopera.
Artists were given time the whole day to create their masterpieces on a 4ft x 3ft canvass in the art material they preferred such as water color, acrylic paint, latex, and oil with a theme of creating awareness, promotion, and preserving Palaw ‘an culture and arts.
The 21-year-old local artist, Leonard Ansiong from Brgy Tabon Quezon Palawan bagged the first prize of Guhit Palaw’an On-the-spot Painting Contest, and received the Php5,000.00 cash.
“Pinapakita ng aking obra na talagang kahanga hanga ang sining at kultura ng isa sa ating Ethnolinguistic group dto sa Palawan na ang Palaw’an. Mula sa kanilang Traditonal Basket, na ginagawa ng kababaihan nasa edad 50-60 yrs old, pero ngayon tinuturo at ibinabahagi na nila sa kabataan, ang susing pag hahabi, yung paterns, anito na nagsisimbulo ng Good Harvest at ang sulat Ibalnan. Patuloy nawa nating palaguin ang sining at kultura na meron ang Tribung Palaw’an, lets protect and preserve the culture and arts,” said Leonard Ansiong.
Other local artists Stephanie Joyce Lopera and Ron Edrada placed second and third respectively, and received Php3,000.00 and Php2,000.00 cash prizes. Consolation prizes were awarded to two remaining local artists, Ramfil Dagumboy and Brian Kenneth Yatco worth Php500.00 cash each plus gift certificate from Marina De Bay.
Local artist masterpieces are available for viewing and are for sale at the exhibit area of Marina de bay’s restaurant, including Tingkop and other handicraft souvenir items.
“Enough of colonization. We’ve been colonized already more than a hundred years ago and let’s spare our indigenous people culture, values, and arts of so called civilization. Instead let’s protect and preserve our indigenous people culture and rights and their identity through their expression in arts to increase in creating awareness and promotion such as Guhit Palaw ‘an and exhibits showcasing Palaw’an music, dances, arts, handicraft, and many others,” said Gilbert Ramoya, Project Chair.
In partnership with Marina de bay, JCI Puerto Princesa Kiao, Iconic Travel and Events, and Bataraza Tourism Office, the event a success, which is also aligned to JCI Philippines national project that protects and preserve cultural heritage.
JCI Puerto Princesa Oil aims to build a resilient community by motivating new breed of leaders that are willing to dedicate its time and effort to act from global impact.
The organization received numerous recognition and awards from different stakeholders with its wide-array of community development and self-empowering programs. It was recently recognized at “Dangal Awards” during JCI Philippines Southern Luzon Area Conference at held at General Trias, Cavite dated September 1, 2018.
• Most Outstanding Local Organization Category 1
• Most Outstanding Local Organization President Category 1, Francisco Baluyut III
• Wow si Mom: Best in Public Relations Program
• Merit Award: Kita-Kita (Eye Health Program for Senior Citizens) as Best Public Health Program
• Merit Award: SIKAD Palawan
• Merit Award: JCI Puerto Princesa Oil Website as Best in Website
Now on its incoming 44th year, under the leadership of its 2019 Chapter President Rexlin D. Azarcon, the chapter will continue to grow as the leading network of young active citizens in Puerto Princesa City.
“JCI Puerto Princesa OIL bannered the theme HEAT UP for 2018-2019 which means Highly Empowered Active Team, because we believe on creating a strong effective team to bring positive change to the community. We want to create and nurture an environment where our members learn, can create a deep sense of mission that made each and every one of us a better persons, and to use our and talents and skills effectively to the local organization and community. Because becoming a Highly Empowered Active Team means an effective way to provide positive change to the community,” said JCI Chapter President Azarcon.
With its 2019 theme-banner HEAT UP (Highly. Empowered. Active.Team.), JCI Puerto Princesa Oil will continue to produce quality leader through its development trainings and opportunities.
Photos courtesy of Gilbert Ramoya.