Editors’ Note: Rigmat Arts & Culture Fest was held last August 18 – 19, 2023, a collaboration with the Art and Culture Sector and Naga City Peoples Council. Participating in the event were National Artists, Alice Reyes (dance), Benedicto “Bencab” Cabrera (visual arts), and Ryan Cayabyab (music). The event venues were the Museo ni Jesse Robredo, Universidad de Sta. Isabel, Que Pasa Restaurant and other locations in the Naga City. At the opening program of Rigmat, Dr. Paz Verdades “Doods” M. Santos, a writer and Bikol arts and literature critic, addressed the festival participants in the audience. This is the transcript of her speech.
Rigmat: A Situationer | Doods M. Santos
Naga City is known for the Peñafrancia pilgrimage and our heroes and martyrs. But most of all, it has become renowned nationally and internationally for Good Governance because of the efforts of our late Mayor Jess M. Robredo, the people he trusted, and the taga-Naga.
However, Naga City has not been known as an art hub, unlike other places such as Angono for its folkloric style, or Baguio for its indigenous crafts and artists. Yet Naga has always had a cultural inclination and has been home to many talented writers and artists. To name only a few, there is Tomás Arejola, a propagandist during the Spanish colonial period; Florencio Lerma who settled in Naga City and provided “regular and sophisticated entertainment” through the sarswela. Naga’s periodicals published literary pieces in Bikol, and the late abogados de campanilla Luis General Jr., Alfredo Tria, Tony Carpio, and Baao poet Luis Dato were leaders of our fearless press. A more familiar name for those here not from Naga is Conrado de Quiros whose literary and hard-hitting columns we have missed very much since 2016. We also have our own Carlos Aureus, author of the now classic Nagueños, as well as neighboring authors we claim, Iriga’s Socorro Federis Tate and Magarao’s Luis Cabalquinto. Our active organizing of the quadrennial Pagsurat Bikol in 2000, a landmark writers-teachers conference, was the turning point for writing in the Bikol languages and birthed the present Bikol literary renaissance; its seventh conference will be held in Catanduanes next year. Theater still thrives in schools and in the community. Writers’ groups and at least three printing presses support local literature, although we have had to work hard to gain a readership among the middle class for writing in Bikol. Ano daa ta Bikol? Simbag mi sa Kabulig literary association, ano ta dai?
Sa sining biswal, marami sa mga artists ang pumunta sa ibang lugar o larangan dahil hindi kayang buhayin ang pamilya sa gawaing pangsining dito. May ilang naging “para-lettering,” nagpinta ng malalaking billboard ng mga pelikula sa labas ng mga sinehan, nagsilbing cartoonist sa pahayagan, o naging mga guro o ad persons. Ang iilan na nanatili at nakilala sa Naga ay ang yumaong si Cesar Natividad na may-ari ng Gallery, ang lugar kung saan nagtipon ang literati at mga bohemian noong 1970s. Ang iba pang mga pangalan ay sina Raul Alcomendas, ang yumaong si Pempe Valiente na artista rin sa teatro, Aton Nabua, at si Bobi Rayala na nagturo ng sining sa maraming mga bata. Nakakamit naman ng pangalan sa bansa si Roxlee, ang lumikha ng “Cesar Asar” at ang animator na si Omar Aguilar. At ang daming mga kolektibo ng visual artists ngayon! Ang nakakalungkot, walang permanenteng art gallery o museo sa Naga kaya pansamantalang sa mga seminaryo at paaralan, bahay, mall o café, ang mga eksibit, laluna pag-fiesta. Isa ang Que Pasa restaurant na tumulong magdala ng sining sa mga pampublikong espasyo upang higit itong pahalagahan ng mga tao. Nag-aambag na ngayon ang Naga College Foundation sa sining biswal sa pamamagitan ng V Gallery sa Liboton.
The aesthetics of Bikol architecture still has to be conceptualized and researched, but Architect Stoney Mazo says the design of native houses is marked by the use of abundant local materials and provision for typhoons. Architect GP Priela, who designed the JMR Museum with full respect for trees, also notes that in Caramoan, shanties have an intriguing wall pattern with thick timber cladding and sawali walls in bigger weaves designed to be more typhoon resistant. We look forward to our architects’ research.
Ayon naman kay Amelita Zaens, buhay na buhay ang musika sa Naga, sa simbahan, mga koro, rondalla, mga banda, o mga indibidwal na performer. Ilang beses naging kampeon ang mga musiko natin sa NAMCYA, may mga naibibigay tayo sa mga koro tulad ng Philippine Madrigal. Performer sa Europa si Jonathan Zaens. Kilala na natin si Ely Buendia na taga-Buhi saka Naga. Nanatili naman sa Naga sina Raymond Roldan, Moi Fernandez, at ang magkapatid na Reburiano liban pa sa maraming kompositor at mga banda. Sa industriya naman ng pelikula, marami tayong naiambag na artista tulad ng Reyna ng Pelikulang Pilipino na si Amalia Fuentes, Jaime Fabregas, Bembol Roco, magkapatid na Yllana, Shamaine Centenera Buencamino, at sina Enchong at AJ Dee. Maliit pa lang ngunit tumututubo naman ang alternatibong sinema sa Naga at Bikol. Hindi ko kayang banggitin lahat sa sampung minuto, but you can read all about it sa mga aklat namin as well as see it on the Rigmat FB page and our events.
My point in this brief listicle is that although Naga is not known as an art hub, the artists and writers, with the help of mostly the private sector, have persisted. They, especially the ‘hungry’ artists, have not considered themselves as a sector nor have they had any representation, even if a Naga City Council for Culture and the Arts was created through an ordinance 23 years ago. So through the years, we have DIYed our own productions and collaborated through our respective organizations, for example, between visual artists and writers for books such as Girok: Erotika and Burabod. On a couple of occasions, we coordinated the Tagbo Art fest with token funding from the NCCA as well as from the local government, from which we’ve had to solicit, a.k.a. beg.
There are still very many things to thresh out in our sector: economic welfare, inclusivity, research to create more rooted and unique artwork and appeal to locals who prefer cultural products from the Center and abroad thereby forgetting traditional forms. There is also some unhealthy competition for scarce resources and serious challenges to ethical values; we have to deal with gatekeeping, opportunism, and unsavory characters in our ranks.
With Rigmat’s coordinated and assertive move by the Bikol artists themselves, the support of many others, and with education through arts and culture subjects in the curriculum and the Special Program for the Arts, there is new hope that the taga-Naga artists can stay in their hometown to at least make a decent living and just maybe, gain some recognition. To sustain this effort, we expect more support through grants, contests, studios, a home for their art production, study of their work, and a truly empowered Council for Culture and the Arts. Representation will help our artists safeguard their rights as creators without the intrusion of vested interests and protection from such things as non-payment, especially of young artists. I know that this generation will follow through the work of their predecessors, just as we did ours.
In ending, let us imbibe the theme of our festival, Rigmat which means “Be alert.” Artists and writers, as the conscience of society, must be alert to its ills, such as the resurging traditional politics of wealth and power that threatens to destroy what Jess Robredo has achieved for good governance in our city. In addition, may I appeal to our artists to heed adopted Nagueño Bienvenido N. Santos’s poem about Naga: “Heart of Bikol, rich in culture/ and history, you call to mind/Symbols of the rarest nature: A TREE, A RIVER, and A SHRINE.” While most have continued to venerate the Shrine in art, too many have tended to forget our two other symbols which have given Naga its life: the River which we see and clean only once a year ta fiesta, and the Tree which appears on Naga City’s logo, kutana, bako sanang logo. Let us, therefore, write, paint, sing, and dance these three to dispel the present unsustainable type of development and exorcise the greed and vicious apathy eating up our society today. Mabuhay ang mga malikhain nating taga-Naga! Viva! Dios mabalos po!
Featured Events and Participants
Rigmat was held on August 18 and 19 at the Museo ni Jesse Robredo, Que Pasa Restaurant, Universidad de Sta. Isabel, and other venue locations. The event was organized into categories: Ranga, Rambong, Rukyaw, Ritmo, Rolyo, Ruso, and Ragubrob (with underlying philosophies of Rawat and Rigmat).
UNC Bidyo of the University of Nueva Caceres succinctly describes the event as, “Truly, art is everywhere in Naga–be it captured on paper, resonating through voices, expressed in dance, harmonized within songs, brought to life on stage, savored through cuisine, articulated in writing, and deeply embedded within our cultural fabric. The Rigmat Arts and Culture Fest magnificently illuminated the local artistic community, fostering unity and fortifying the art scene in Naga across many forms.”
RANGA “Namit kan Naga” celebrated Naga City’s gastronomic heritage. The term “ranga” translates to “comfort” in Bikol and the event invited the participants to relish their favorite comfort foods and paid homage to the city’s diverse food culture. The culinary fair featured “Gatronomiya, An Satong Kakanon,” with the participation and cooking demos by: Ryan Prila, SPJ Intl. Technology Inst.; Methods & Techniques by Chef Billy Geneterola, ACE Academy; Traditional meets Innovation by STI College Naga tertiary students; a Talk about Foraging the Bikol Landscape: Sustainable Gastronomy in a Time of Food Insecurity by Mary Leny Felix, Hardin nin Aninipot.
RAMBONG, The Art Exhibit, was held at NCHP Museum in Jesse Robredo. Various Bikolnon art collectives joined forces and more than 70 paintings were displayed across the five galleries of the museum. The highlight of Rambong was the live painting collaboration – on the right frame, young, emerging Bikolnon artists and, on the left frame, veteran artists, Manny Garibay, Mark Justiniani, Renato Habulan, Charlie Co, and National Artist Ben Cabrera.
RITMO showcased a K-Pop Dance Workshop, a lively collaboration of the Naga City Peoples Council with Dr. Tess C Channel and Naga City Dance Life. There were more than 80 attendees.
ROLYO paid homage to Naga’s cinematic heritage, the art of film and the love of moviegoing. The film appreciation event was held at the Bichara Theatre, which celebrated its 100th anniversary year as Bicol’s first movie house. The highlights of the day were the film showings: morning – An Sadit na Planeta, Arjanmar Rebeta, 2021; Kawatan sa Salog, Alphie Velasco, 2020; Salog na Diklom, Jordan de la Cruz, 2021; Koro kan Saldang; Pabasa kan Pasyon; Sa Saiyang Isla; Oli Impan, Omar Aguilar, 2012; Ang Lalong ni Kulakog, Omar Aguilar, 2013; Hello, Love, Goodbye, Dumi, Demetrio Celestino, 2019; Dyspnea Island, Demetrio Celestino, 2019; afternoon – Delikadp, Karl Malakunas, 2023. The participating panelists and topics were: Performance Art – Rok Lee, filmmaker; From Script to Screen – Alvin B. Zapan, filmmaker; Screening of Delikado by Earl Malakunas – Leni Velasco, Exec. Director.
RIGMAT SA ENTABLADO featured Theater Classes and Performances at the USI Auditorium, the flagship event of Sinag Bicol Theater Arts. The topics and panelists were: Children’s Theater – Isbel Borja, artistic director, playwright, Sangre de Naga Theater Company; Roots & Routes of Bikol Theater – Elsie Albis, founder of Teatro Aliento, Fellow for Theater of USTNWW & DLSU Kritika, ADNU literature teacher; Musical Theater – Raymond Roldan, Bicolano composer, choral conductor, music arranger, opera singer & teacher of voice and literature; Improvisational Theater – Bong de la Torre, senior artist & teacher, Phil Educational Theater Association; and, Creative Drama – Alcid Valencia, playwright, director, Teatro de Sta. Luisa, recipient 10 outstanding Bikolano artists (theater arts). Teatro de Sta. Luisa (TSL) hosted meaningful conversations with National Artists for Music, Ryan Cayabyab, and Dance, Alice Reyes, at the USI auditorium. Later the company staged a short play. Likewise, Teatro Aliento performed powerful and moving monologues.
RAGUBROB Variety Concert, a presentation by Sigla Lingkod Bikol and Leni Robredo, showcased the participation of National Artist for Music, Ryan Cayabyab. The live concert featured Nica del Rosario, gifted songwriter and youth ambassador, creative genius behind hits “Tala” and “Rosas.”
The literature sector consisted of: RUKYAW – Book Fair and Conversations featuring: Shaunna Ysabel Cledera, Your OG Pop Romances of the early 20th century, The Agui-Agui in the Archives; writers, Allan Popa, Nap Arcilla, Emman Barrameda, Jaime Jesus Borlagdan; RANGGAS – Book Tales featuring guest speakers: Dr. Merlinda Bobis, prizewinning novelist and dramatist; Maryanne Moll, fictionist, about “How to publish your stories and books internationally without leaving Naga City”; Jay Salvosa, writer/designer, about “independent book designing and publishing;” RINTOK – Book Launch with Dr. Raniella Barbaz, literary historian & critic; RABAS – Lakaw Nagueño with Victor Dennis Tino Nierva, a tour of the places that author Carlos Aureus mentioned in his classic book, “The Nagueños.”
Participants of the RUSO Art Fair included the following: ALALASU, ATENEO LITERARY ASSOCIATION, BEADHIT LABELS, BEYOND THE DICE, BOS FINE ART, DIANNE MACGOWAN, DO LOT, GIANNETSILYO, HANA.CO, IKIGAII INNOVATION ART HUB, ILLILIAA, JULI NYAN, KENRICK ART, KOKOJAM, LAVEA SPACE, LIME, LHYLOW, MAEBI, MUKNA LAOM, MILDLY UNBOTHERED, MIYA UKIYO, MURDOK, NOEL REGACHUELO, PINTADOS, PURRTEEN STUDIOS, SHEOL, TINDAHAN NG PAGBABAGO by BJMP, YANIPOL, WANDER ART SHOP by MINA,, and, WOYCE. The featured performers were PAUL BORDADO, MK I I, NEIL AZUL, and LADY LE CHROW.
Congratulations to the Organizers
Kudos to the organizers, co-organizers and support team members for a job well done and a well-deserved recognition of their voluntary service! The HEAD ORGANIZERS for the Visual Arts Sector events were: RAMBONG Art Exhibit – DENNIS GONZAGA; RUSO Art Fair – MERK HAMET BORDADO; the Literature Sector which presented RUKYAW, RINTOK, RANGGAS, RABAS – ESTING JACOB; ROLYO (Film) – JENN ROMANO; RITMO (Dance/Cosplay) – DR. TESS CONSULTA; RANGA (Gastronomic Heritage) – VICTOR NIERVA; RIGMAT SA ENTABLADO (Theater) – BEL BORJA. The co-organizers of the Visual Arts Sector were Pat Yangco and Junie Linsoco.
The ORGANIZERS for the Music Sector RABUGROB events were Muloi Prado, Roger Palacio, and Karl Ramirez. Further support for RIGMAT was performed by: Cecille San Buenaventura, Micah Meeka, Kenneth Bosangit, Jebo, and Biboy Davila, along with: VLOGS – Boom Pili; Cultural Mapping – Rome Candaza; Architecture – Ian Kenn Orasa. The NCPC central committee provided overall program leadership and oversight in partnership of Flex! Creatives headed by Marc Felix. The RIGMAT Arts and Culture Fest was an overall success despite inadvertent gaps in execution that could not be closed on time.