Public art is good for cities. Art ignites change and transforms public spaces and individual lives. The murals become incredible canvasses and creative expressions for their artist talents.

Cities that invest in public art can improve street safety, promote tourism and create new jobs. The city walls become a part of its unique landscape and a source of pride and inspiration.

Each year, residents and visitors can tour the city’s outdoor art galleries, especially during holidays, public events and festivities. Murals are great for artistic placemaking and city marketing.

This month, Naga City is brimming with excitement as its mural painting projects have gotten under way. The mural painting project is an initiative of the Naga City Government headed by Mayor Nelson Legacion through the City Events, Protocol and Public Information Office (CEPPIO), together with the Metro Naga Public Employment Service Office (METROPESO), City Parks and Recreational Facilities Management Office (CPRFMO), City Engineer’s Office (CEO), General Services Department (GSD), and Public Safety Office (PSO).

Bicol Artist Tribe

The Bicol Artist Tribe kicked off the project by bringing the devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia to life. This mural painting project celebrates city’s cultural heritage and deep devotion to Ina, Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia. Located at the intersection of Magsaysay Avenue and Peñafrancia Avenue, the 4-panel mural with the theme “Devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia” holds special significance as it lies along the route of the Traslacion and Fluvial Procession. It is especially fitting to begin this project in anticipation of the Canonical Coronation of our Ina in a few months.

The BAT lead artists were Richard Perez and Noel Regachuelo. The muralists were Joy Regachuelo, Apz Cabalquinto, Agui Aguilar, Mike Aelo, Bong de la Torre, Inshong Perez, abd Mika Tolentino. Logistics and coordinating personnel was done by Carlo Patac.

This is the gallery of mural art by the Bicol Artist Tribe (credit: Carlo Patac). Click the 5th image to view the full view of the mural wall. (credit: Jurrel Art Magistrado) LEARN MORE.

Salingoy Art Group

Salingoy Art Group takes the city back into time with their paints and brushes. It seeks to guide the art lover on a journey through time with their mural, which vividly portrays the rich history of our city. The art collective is dedicated to capture and preserve the city’s past through art ensuring that the stories and heritage of the community are beautifully depicted for future generations to appreciate and learn from.

The 6-panel History of Naga mural is located along Panganiban St., along St. Joseph School near DTI. The participating muralists were Nitz Peñera (lead artist and designer), Warren Balane, Rey Regalario, Nolito Real, Alma Tadle, Christian Jay Tosoc, Gemmalyn Padilla, Romualdo Rommel Perez, and Renato Gavino.

This is the gallery of mural art by the Salingoy Art Group (credit: Kyna’s Whereabouts). LEARN MORE.

Kintab Artist Group

Titled “Kalikasan: Flora and Fauna” – where arts and nature intertwine, the mural by the Kintab Artist Group Inc. brings the beauty of Naga’s flora and fauna to life. This artwork showcases the biodiversity of the city, seamlessly blending the colors and details of nature with the creative expressions of its member visual artists. The art collective invites art lovers to celebrate the harmony of art and nature.

The 5-panel Naga flora and fauna mural by Kintab Artist Group is located along Panganiban St. at the wall fronting DBP Panganiban). The lead designers are Harold Gomez and Abegail Reyes; and the participating muralists are Carissa Salceda, Dennis Nieves, Cris Fragata-Gomez, Gladys G. Borromeo, Mary Rold Gomez, Lomi Daliva, Roxanne Daliva, Justin Ross Vargas Custudio, Reymel Gonzaga, Mac Allison Calleja, Aldrin Amaro, Ron Ruadil, Desiree Escalante, Jerome Berja, Atet Imperial, Mia France Dorosan, Jurrel Magistrado, Bob Maltizo, and Marivi Encinas.

This is the gallery of mural art by the Kintab Artist Group (credit: Kyna’s Whereabouts). LEARN MORE.

AMA Art Group

The mural “Pagkakan sa Naga” is presented by Artists, Media and Artworks (AMA) Art Group. The mural depicts the city’s food and cuisine scene.

The Culinary Heritage of Naga mural is in Panganiban St., on the wall between Dunkin Donuts and Naga AR & Y Hardware, in front of Isarog St. The mural designer is Hermil Alejandre, AMA Art Group co-founder, and the lead artists are co-founders, Marcial Kato and Manuel Medenilla. The muralists were Florenci Perez, Japheth Bartolome, Floney Bernal, Ronnel Jay Dacian, Angelo Del Ayre, Vince Llagas, Sherry Mira, Jerome Nebrida, Mardhon Nebrida, Aloysius Nisolada. Mary Ann Sibulo, Jo Marie Tomotorgo, Ryan Abecina, Anarose Canchela, Marnel Saraga, Mar Padro, Paul Francisco, and Gabriel Ubaldo. The President of AMA Art Group is Marthy Francisco.

This is the gallery of mural art by the AMA Art Group (credit: AMA Art Group). LEARN MORE.

An Emerging Transformation

The City of Naga can take inspiration from the City of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, US., which claims to be the Mural Capital of the World. Philadelphia remains committed in its support of public art which began 40 years ago. It impacts community, creativity, and change in transformative ways with each brushstroke adding to the rich narrative of their vibrant city (reference: Mural Arts Philadelphia).

Artists in Naga City’s mural painting project of 2024 can take pride in the thought that they are making history. The art collectives of the city should also challenge themselves by transforming more public wall spaces into their canvasses and making more neighborhoods as their outdoor art galleries in the years to come.

Written by Jojo De Jesus for Dateline Ibalon based on the FB posts of the Naga City Events, Protocol and Public Information Office (CEPPIO) and the art collectives featured in this article. Many thanks for the inputs from Carlo Patac of Bicol Arts Tribe, Gemmalyn Padilla, President, Salingoy Art Group, Harold Gomez, President, Kintab Artist Group, Manuel Medenilla., co-founder, AMA Art Group, and the fine photography of Kyna De Castro, Kyna’s Whereabouts.