Convergence of Culture in Boracay Island
by: Rex G. Hidalgo
Boracay island in Malay, Aklan is not only a meeting place for fun-loving Filipinos and foreign tourists, but has also become a melting pot of diverse cultures.
On November 25 to 27, as the beaches and resorts filled with adventurers, holiday crowds and week-end tourists, over a hundred artists and writers from different parts of the country gathered at the island resort to celebrate the second Maharlika Artists and Writers Festival, possibly the country’s first ever roving festival.
Participants in the festival, which was first held in Cebu last year, were painters and other visual artists, musicians, performing artists, student and professional writers, and members of the academe who came from Mindoro, Dumaguete, Leyte, Samar, Cebu, Mindanao, Metro Manila, Baguio, Iloilo and Aklan.
Corinne Miller, a Swiss performing artist who had attended the Cebu celebration, returned to join the fun and impressed the other participants and the Boracay crowd with her fire dance.
Among the participants who gave color to the affair were Nonoy Pillora of Asin ng Lupa, Professor Dulce Cuna of UP Tacloban,Waway Saway of Bukidnon Mindanao, Shiela Castillo of Mindoro, Ysagani Y. Ybarra of Pampanga, Jim Tan Nuevo and Jonathan Cena of Katribu-Mindanaw, Reggie Ben and Pusong Bughaw Romana of Manila, Momo Dalisay and Guijo Dueñas of Iloilo, Kasugbu secretary general Joe Rubio and Jean Rapunzel Arnaldo, John Dabatos and Tracy Tarungoy of Cebu, Pamela Galvez, Susan Canoy, and Sharon Dadang of Dumaguete, Carla Go of Leyte, nationally acclaimed sculptor Francis Cinco of Calbayog, Samar, and Arjun Marapon of RAWA Manila.
Students of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas also joined the festival.
Momo Dalisay of host Kaliwat cultural group, who welcomed the delegates to the festival, said the festival seeks to underscore the equality and unity of all cultural groups in the country.
The other host of the festival is Bugtaw Akean of Aklan with Dado Lacorte of Boracay, Joe Haresh and Nilo Murallo of Kalibo. Dalisay said the theme of the festival was “Etnik Konek: Seeking our Roots to Build our Future.”
Supported by the Department of Tourism Western Visayas regional office, the provincial government of Aklan, the municipal government of Malay, and the Department of Education, the artist and writers festival, dubbed Sunrise Festival, featured spiritual and tribal singing, tribal ritual dancing, an art exhibit, and lectures on culture and art. The Mindoro writers shared information on Mangyan literature and script, one of the surviving indigenous scripts in the country.
Aklan’s Governor Carlito S. Marquez, Vice Governor Ronquillo Tolentino and Congressman Joeben Miraflores, also supported the activity.
Jun Aguirre of associated Press organized the press conference in Kalibo which was supported by Mayor Raymar Rebaldo, Edwin Pelayo of Panay News helped facilitate the press conference, while Edwin Ramos of the Philippine News Agency acted as moderator.
Miller performed her well-applauded fire dance evening of Friday, November 25, while Nuevo performed the Manobo ritual dance. Visual artists from different parts of the country installed their paintings and sculpture at the beachside Plazoleta owned by Federico and Ruth Jarantilla who are leading art patrons of Boracay. Later in the evening, visual artists took part in a body painting contest with two Filipinos and two foreign guests as living canvases.
In the afternoon of Saturday, Professor Cuna gave an enlightening lecture on the mystical tattooed people of Leyte. This was followed by the formal opening of the festival at Plazoleta which was opened by a mystical ritual dance performed by Ybarra and Bughaw Romana and her eight-month old boy. Carla Go later talked on visual arts as therapy.
During the program, Deo Palma, national coordinator of Ang Katipunan ng mga Samahang Maharlika, handed certificates of appreciation to DOT regional director Edwin Trompeta, Mr. and Mrs. Jarantilla, a Maharlika Award to five-year-old Aum Dueñas, the youngest artist in the festival, and a posthumous Maharlika Award to the late Aklan Press Club president Billy de la Cruz who was one of Aklan’s leading artists and writers.
Later in the evening, Nonoy Pillora and Waway joined other artists in the “indigenous jamming” while Prof. Dulce Cuna and Sharon Dadang showed their talent in ethnic chanting.
After the Saturday evening ethnic fever, the participants took off early at five in the morning of Sunday and trooped to Kandingan Island on the Eastern side of Boracay to perform the highlight of the festival, greeting the sunrise with spiritual singing, prayer and meditation.
2nd Artists and Writers Festival Scheduled in Boracay Nov. 25-27
JOURNAL VISAYAS
Vol. VI ISSN. 17-Nov. 16-22, 2005
ILOILO CITY, PHILIPPINES
Vol.11 No. 7 November 21-27, 2005
The second of the country's first ever roving festival will be held in the island resort of Boracay on Nov. 25-27 and will be participated in by over 50 artists and writers group from different regions as well as foreign artists and guests.
Dubbed as the "Sunrise Festival", this year's festival carries the theme "Etnik Konek: Seeking our Roots to Build our Future." The first festival was held on Nov. 12-14 last year in Cebu City with the theme "Panaghugpong" or "Solidarity" while host of next year's festival will be Davao City.
Last year's festival had drawn over a hundred participants from all over the country and had attracted guests from South Korea, USA, Germany and Switzerland.
Organized by the Maharlika Artists and Writers Federation (MAWF), the festival seeks to project the different regional cultural and artistic expressions while promoting unity among the cultural groups.
Highlights of this year's festival will be an opening parade along Boracay's main paths, exhibit of sculpture and scroll painings, installation artworks, seminar workshops on poetry and feature writing, lectures on visual and indigenous performing arts, tribal and spiritual music, art interaction and forum, body painting, and welcoming of the sunrise in the final morning of the festival.
A capping activity will be a social service program and interaction with the Aeta community in Boracay.
Deo Palma, national coordinator of Ang Katipunan ng mga Samahang Maharlika (Ang KaSaMa) of which MAWF is an affiliate, said this year's festival is supported by the Western Visayas Department of Tourism regional office headed by Regional Director Edwin Trompeta and is also being held in coordination with the local government units of Kalibo and Aklan and the local Department of Education (DepEd) division.
Palma said the idea for the roving festival was was thought of by some 30 artists and writers who have met in April 2003 in San Joaquin, Iloilo where they have held the first "meeting of the sunrise" activity.
"That the festival is roving and will be hosted by a different cultural group every year underlines the idea that all cultural gorups are equal and not a single cultural group or region should dominate the others," Palma said.
Organizations that have signified their participation in the festival are Asug of Leyte, Neo Tribe, and Maharlikha of Cebu; All Dumaguete Artists of Dumaguete; Iloilo Visual Artists Association, Pugad, Maragtasanon, Taga-Aton, Mind Art, Circulo, Kurit Ilonggo, Baysu Langpu Society, Hubon Madjaas, and Ambon of Iloilo; Bombom and Grupong Dado of Boracay; Boracay and Aklan artists; Bugtaw Akean; RAWA of Manila; Ambahan Literary Circle of Mindoro; Paranublion-Antique and Rasa Moda Ethno Tribal Band of Leyte.
With individual artists who are also particating are lecturers Shiela Castillo of Mindoro, Hazel Villa of Iloilo, Isagani Ibarra, Carla Go and Dulce Cuna of Leyte.
Participating regional cultural groups are Kaliwat of Western Visayas, Panaghugpong of Mindanao Island, Central Luzon Alliance Movement, Kasugbu of Eastern Visayas, Kasaru of the Bicol Region, MakabayangTagalog of the National Capital Region, TPMI of the Ilocos Region, TCKI of the Cordillera Region, and Waray Tupong of the Waray Region.
MAHARLIKA Artists and Writers in Cebu
The Mindanao Bulletin
Vol. 16 1SSN22 SOCCSARGEN
October 25-31, 2005
The Maharlika Artists and Writers Federation got together for the monthly celebration of the Luna Full Moon Festival at the Handuraw Café, Old Coaco Building in Cebu last Monday.
The project was designed to help promote the preservation of indigenous peoples’ culture and strengthen unity among those living in the provincial areas of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The celebration, which was attended by various artists, mystics, spiritualists, poets and people from all walks of life, dwelled mainly on recalling history since the country was then named “Maharlika” under the Majapahit Empire.
The program was officiated by Jim Tan Nuevo, who narrated the significant topics about the “Maharlika” and Majaphajit Empire, which means “a nation filled with greatness in spirit, resources and people.”
On the other hand, Dodoy Verano, president of Panaghugpong Mindanaw, gave an idyllic talk on the essence and magnitude of art. He laid out impressive details on art’s great role in shifting society and country as a whole.
Speaking of the basic importance of spiritual practice, Verano emphasize how spirituality assists artists achieve their respective goals in life.
The program gave a clearer view for none spiritual practitioners to know the importance of healthy environment, and how the Maharlika Artists and Writers Federation advocates moved for the preservation and the betterment of the nation’s deteriorating environment and natural resources.
As this developed, the organization invited spectators and participants to the incoming celebration of the Maharlika Artists and Writers Federation Sunrise Festival. A festival of visual, poetry, music, dance, yoga, video, installation arts and many more will be held in upcoming full moon celebration next month.
He said the celebration would culminate in the presentation of different artistic modes that would support and propagate the healthy demonstration of art and lifestyle.
During the celebration, the night was dyed with an open art presentation performed under the rhythm of live band music and rituals presented by the Ka Tribu: Arjun Marapon, Jonathan Cena, Tapati Tarongoy, John Dabatos, Jonas and Butch of Kadangyan.
Corinne Mules, a performer-traveling artist, did an amazing fire dance with Jim Tan Nuevo that surprise the audience no end. The group of Nino Baring contributed a belly dance. Those who performed live music, were the Maharlikha, Sintada, and the Sikabay rock and jazz bands. Deo Palma, Ange Rellien, Meley Tabonares also attended the art fest.
Handuraw manager owner Zarah Smith and Japamala Arnaldo of Maharlikha band produced the event. The full moon festival dubbed “Luna” is celebrated every full moon of the month through the support of A-7 Talents and Media Services, The Order of The Mystics Arts led by Ederlindo Cojuanco, and the well known psychic reader JonathanUy.
Maharlika is inviting all enthusiasts and “lunatics” for the next event this November 16, Tuesday, which is the 9th Luna Full Moon Fest of the year. For more info you may call or text 0917-6235994, 0928-6096525.
Artists and Writers Festival in Boracay
THE GUARDIAN
Western Visayas’ Most Read and Respected Daily Newspaper
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Western Visayas, Philippines
Entered as Second Class Mail at Iloilo City Post Office
By Bassinette Moderama
An opening parade along Boracay’s main paths, exhibits of sculpture and scroll paintings, installation artworks, seminar workshops on poetry and feature writing, lectures on visual and indigenous performing arts, tribal and spiritual music, art interaction and forum, body painting, welcoming of the sunrise in the final morning of the festival, a social service program and interaction with the local Aeta community: these are just some of the activities that are slated to be held on November 25-27 in the island paradise.
SUNRISE FESTIVAL is reputed to be the country’s first roving festival. It was conceptualized by around 30 artists and writers in April 2003 in San Joaquin, Iloilo. There was a “meeting of the sunrise” activity. Among them were artists Guijo Duenas and Danny ‘Momo’ Dalisay *who is now based in Lawigan, San Joaquin).
The idea became a reality through the efforts of the Maharlika Artists and Writers Federation (MAWF). The festival seeks to project the different regional cultural and artistic expressions while promoting unity among the cultural groups.
It is called SUNRISE FESTIVAL because on the last day, the participants will wait for the rising (the symbol of Universal God that encompasses all humanity and creation).
At dawn of the last day, the participants will sit while facing east. They will play musical instruments, sing tribal and spiritual songs, and wait for the rising sun. Those who want to meditate or to pray can do so after singing.
The firs SUNRISEFESTIVAL was held last year in Cebu City. Its theme was “Panaghugpong” (or solidarity). This year’s theme is “Etnik Konek” Seeking our Roots to Build our Future.” Next year’s celebration will be in Davao City.
“That the Sunrise Festival is roving and will be hosted by a different cultural group every year underlines the idea that all cultural groups are equal and not a single cultural group should dominate the others,” Deo palma explained. He is the national coordinator of Ang Katipunan ng mga Samahang Maharlika (Ang KaSaMa) of which MAWF is an affiliate.
According to Palma, this year’s SUNRISE FESTIVAL is supported by the Department of Tourism Western Visayas (headed by DOT Regional Director Edwin Trompeta). The activity will be held in coordination with the local government units of Kalibo and Aklan, and the local division of the Department of Education (DepEd).
Some organizations that had signified their intention to participate in the festival are from Cebu (Neo Tribe and Maharlikha), Dumaguete (All Dumaguete Artists), Iloilo (Iloilo Visual Artists Association, Pugad, Maragtasanon, Taga Aton, Mind Art, Circulo, Kutrit Ilonggo, Baysu Langpu Society, and Hubon Madjaas), Aklan (Bombom, Grupong Dado, Bugtaw Akean and other Aklan Artists), Manila (RAWA), Mindoro (Ambahan Literary Circle), and Leyte (Asug and Rasa Moda Ethno Tribal Band).
Individual artists who will give lectures are Sheila Castillo of Mindoro (literary artist), Hazel Villa of Iloilo (journalist), and Dulce Cuna of Leyte (performing artist.
Participating regional cultural groups are Kaliwat of Western Visayas, Panaghugpong of Mindanaw, Central Luzon Alliance People’s Movement, Kasugbu of Eastern Visayas, Kasaru of the Bicol Region, Makabayang Tagalog of the National Capital Region, TPMI of Ilocos Region, TCKI of Cordillera Region and the Waray Tupong of the Waray Region.
sunrisefestival©2004philippines sunrise festival is an annual project of maharlika artists and writers federation.
2nd National Sunrise Festival sa Islang Boracay Pagahiwatun
By Jun Aguirre
HALA BIRADA
Sadsaran it Kamatuoran
Most widely circulated newspaper in Aklan and ANTIQUE
Vol.3 No. 9 Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines
Para mapreserbar rong kultura ag matukiban rong pagiging artists it mga Pino, nakataeana rong 2nd National Sunrise Festival nga pagapartisiparan it mga artista ag writers sa islang Boracay sa paeaabutong November 27 sa makaron nga dag-un.
Suno kay Deo P. Palma, national coordinator it Ang Katipunan ng mga Samahang Maharlika Incorporated (Ang KaSaMa Inc.) rondayang hilikoton hay aprubado it Department of Tourism paagi kay DOT Regional Director Edwin Trompeta, Region VI.
Pila eamang sa mga kilaenng artists ag writers nga ginaekspektar nga magtambong sa nasambit nga hilikuton nga sanday Kidlat tahimik it Baguio City; Professor Dulce Cuna it University of the Philippines Tacloban; Cara Go, Arts and Crafts as Therapy in Psychological Behavior Rehabilitation Center – Leyte; Florence Cinco, Grand Prize Awardee it Metro bank Foundation 2004; Jim Tan Nuevo, performing artist it Katribu – Davao; Jean Rapunzel Arnaldo, Visual Artists –KASUGBU Cebu; Rex Hidalgo it Journal Visayas; Hazel Villa it Philippine Daily Inquirer –Visayas; Momo Dalisay, secretary general it MAHARLIKA Artits and Writers Federation; Sheila Castillo, organizer it Ambahan Literary Circle Mangyan Poetry; Guijo Duenas, painter-photo journalists ag kaibahan man rong ana nga ongang limang dagon nga kilaeang painter artists ag iba pa.
Rong tema it festival hay “Etnik Konek: Tracing our roots to build our future” ag rong highlight it aktibidades hay rong pag welcome sa sunrise it mga partisipante samtang nagakanta, nagasaot ag nagameditate.
Suno kay Palma mahimo man nga mag-entra rong mga artist enthusiasts ag interesadong college students sa hilikuton nga rong registration fee eamang hay P200 ag una eon karon rong accommodation ag pagkaon. Rong venue it hilikuton hay igto pagahimuon sa compound it DepEd—Boracay National High School.
Ginapakamayad mga ipatigayon rong 2nd Sunrise Festival sa islang Boracay para ipakita sa mga turistang foreigners rong kamayad it Pinoy Artists sa pag-abot sa arts ag pagsueat./HB
Sunrise Festival of artists, writers honors Billy de la Cruz
Best Artist of the Year
By Maharley F. Mediana/Emelyn V. Nicolas
Panay Bulletin, AKLAN
Vo. II No. 12 December 26-January 1, 2006
The late Vellyzarius Ilarina de la Cruz of Kalibo, Aklan, poet and visual artist, a month after his death, was honored with a posthumous award by the nationwide Maharlika Artists and Writers Federation (MAWF) as Best Artist of the Year in this year’s 2nd Sunrise Festival held in Boracay, Malay, Aklan, Nov. 26-28.
Mr. Deo Palma, national coordinator of Ang Katipunan ng mga Samahang Maharlika (Ang KaSaMa, Inc.) with Danilo Dalisay, MAWF secretary general, gave the award during the formal ceremony opening of the Festival at Plazoleta.
An exhibit of paintings, sculptures, digital art, and other media by artist participants coming from different regions of the country was the highlight of the afternoon event. Three paintings of De La Cruz, including his large acrylic work The Rosy Fingers of Dawn and his book of poems, The Office, The Loved One, With Hope Undying, Earth Glare, Poems in Praise of God and Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, were part of the exhibit. De la Cruz’ sister, museum curator Sumra de la Cruz Rojo, also an artist participant in the festival, received the award in behalf of the family.
Palma said the national award of De la Cruz is the second given by the group. The first was to the folk singers of Asin. He emphasized that it is awarded to artists dedicated to their art, have a great influence on their fellow artists, and a visionary, influencing and inspiring society.
De la Cruz was cited for his life time achievements as a multi-talented artist: a pot, visual artist (painter and sculptor), writer and a journalist. As a poet, he has published six books of poems: His unpublished books are many which will be published by the family one by one. Before his demise, he had been working on his 7th book of poems entitled The Dawn (in Praise of our Lady).
As visual artist, De la Cruz studied fine arts at the University of Sto. Tomas in Manila. In the mid ‘70s he was selected by the Cultural Center of the Philippines as one of the Promising Young Artists of the Philippines. Among his mentors and friends were Philippine art luminaries like Angelito Antonio, Antonio Austria, Roberto Chabet and national artist Arturo Luz.
De la Cruz had staged four one-man shows in Manila from 1977 to 1981, twice at Sining Kamalig in Pasay City, one at the Little Gallery in Makati and at the Museo it Akean in Kalibo. He became a resident artist of Kent Gallery in Makati in 1991-1992.
In the Aklan art scene, he was vice president and the moving force behind the Aklan Visual Artists Association, holding art exhibits by the group in Metro Manila through his initiative. Along with AVAA and as individual artist, he had participated in various group shows in Aklan and in Metro Manila. A very religious person, De la Cruz had translated and published the bible The New Testament in Akeanon. Through the years, he had translated in Aklanon common Catholic prayers, Via Crucis and various novenas.
Also journalist, De la Cruz was editror-publisher and founder of the first newspaper published in then island of Boracay in 1995, the Boracay Dateline. He was also a contributor of the Aklan Reporter with a column on the lives of saints. He conceptualized and became the anchorman of the RMN-DYKR radio program Kaeayo sa Yelo, Kay Lord Kita.
In 1984, De la Cruz was awarded Most Outstanding Alumnus of the Year by his high school alma matter, the Roxas Memorial School of Arts and Trades, now Aklan State University (ASU). He was manger of the Sebastian Printing and Publishing House, a member of the Barangay Justice(Lupon) of Kalibo poblacion and the adviser-founder of the De Mil Almas Ati-atihan group.
In civic life, De la Cruz was a former member of the Kiwanis International-Boracay, the Rotary Club of Boracay. His religious affiliations are with the Knights of Columbus –2nd Degree, Sto. Nino Catholic Charismatic Renewal Community, a Secretary of Adoracion Nocturna Filipina and a Eucharistic Lay Minister of the St. John the Baptist Parish. De la Cruz was president of the Aklan Press Club where he took his oath of office only in May this year. De la Cruz passed away last October 29, 2005 after a year’s bout with colon cancer. He was 54 years old.
In an eulogy by his brother Hagbong at the Kalibo Cathedral last November 12 he recalled his last days with his brother Vellyzarius: “If we look at the life of my brother, he was not a successful man in the ways of the world. He has no earthly possessions to talk about, no children and family to call his very own. What then is his definition of success? He once asked me while I was still studying in Manila: ‘What is the purpose of man?’ I said, ‘What?’ and he said, ‘To know God, to love him and to serve Him. That is all.’
“ He does not care about worldly possessions. He prepares himself and aims for Salvation of his soul. Nothing more., nothing less. What profits a man if he gains the whole world and in the end loses his soul. All his works, writings and poems, all for the glory and love of God. Only one in a million can translate the Bible in his dialect in his lifetime and Nong Billy did it. That is success,” Hagbong said.
Bishop Romeo O. Lazo, in “Song of Solace”. Vellyzarius is the eldest son of Roman A. De la Cruz, essay writer and editor-publisher of the Aklan Reporter and businesswoman-painter Julita Ilarina de la Cruz of Kalibo, Aklan.
Convergence of culture in Boracay Island
Maharlika artists and writers festival a success
By Rex Hidalgo
Journal Visayas
Vol. VI ISSN. 20 – Dece. 7-13, 2005 Iloilo City, Philippines
Boracay island in Malay, Aklan is not only a meeting place for fun-loving Filipinos and foreign tourists, but has also become a melting pot of diverse cultures.
On November 25 to 27, as the beaches and resorts filled with adventurers, holiday crowds and week-end tourists, over a hundred artists and writers from different parts of the country gathered at the island resort to celebrate the second Maharlika Artists and Writers Festival, possibly the country’s first ever roving festival.
Participants oin the festival, which was first held in Cebu last year, were painters and other visual artists , musicians performing artists, student and professional writers, and members of the academe who came from Mindoro, Dumaguete, Leyte, Samar, Cebu , Mindanaw, Metro Manila, Baguio, Iloilo, Bacolod and Aklan.
Corinne Mulles, a Swiss performing artist who had attended the Cebu celebration, returned to join the fun and impressed the other participants and the Boracay crowd with her fire dance. Among the participants who gave color to the affair were Nonoy Pillora of Asin ng Lupa, Professor Dulce Cuna of UP Tacloban, Waway Saway of Bukidnon Mindanaw, Sheila Castillo and Ysagani Ybarra of Mindoro, Jim Tan Nuevo and Jonathan Cena of Katribu-Mindanaw, Reggie Ben and Pusong Bughaw Romana of Manila, Momo Dalisay and Guijo Duenas of Iloilo, John Dabatos, Arnaldo and Tracy Tarongoy of Cebu, Jean Rapunzel and Jhu Rubio of Kasugbu, Pamala Galvez, Sharon Dadang and Susan Canoy of Dumaguete, nationally acclaimed sculptor Florence Cinco of Cabalyog, Samar, and Arjun Marapon of Renanissance Artists and Writers Association in Manila.
Students of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Miag-ao, Iloilo also joined the festival. UST cum laude and Shell-Nokia contest finalist Margarita Rodriquez and Marvin Magbag of Maharlika Social Service Voliunteers (MSSV) joined the festival.
Momo Dalisay of host Kaliwat cultural group, who welcomed the delegates to the festival, said the festival seeks to underscore the equality and unity of all cultural grous in the country. Dalisay said the theme of the festival was “Etnik Konek: Seeking our Roots to Build our Future.” The other host of the festival is Bugtaw Akean of Aklan with Dado Lacorte of Boracay, Jhu Haresh Tanodra and Nilo Murallo of Kalibo.
Supporetd by the Department of Tourism Western Visayas regional office, the provincial government of Kalibo, the municipal government of Malay and the Department of Education, the artists and writers festival, dubbed Sunrise Festival , featured spiritual and tribal singing , tribal ritual dancing, an art exhibit, and lectures on culture and art. The Mindoro writers shared information on Mangyan literature and script, one of the surviving indigenous scripts in the country.
Aklan’s Governor Carlito S. Marquez, Vice Governor Ronquillo Tolentino and Congressman Joeben Miraflores, also suppoted the activity. Journal Visayas, Panay News and Mindanao Bulettin were among the sponsors. Neil Hirschowitz of Boracay sponsored a coctail for the organizers of the festival.
Jun Aguirre of Assocaited Press organized the press conference in Kalibo which was supported by Mayor Raymar Rebaldo, Edwin Pelayo of Panay News helped facilitate the press conference, and Edwin Ramos of Philippine News Agency acted as moderator.
Mulles performed hew well-applauded fire dance evening of Friday, November 25, while Nuevo performed the Manobo ritual dance. Visual artists from different parts of the country installed their paintings and scuptoure at the beachside Plazoleta owned by Federico and Ruith Jarantilla who are leading art patrons of Boracay.
Latter in the evening, visual artists took part in a body painting contest with three Filipinos and two foreign guests as living canvases. In the afternoon of Saturday, IVAA of Iloilo, Pintor Kulapol of Bacolod City with Burog Alvarado, Neo-Tribe with joya awardee Leo Agullar of Cebu, and other artists participated in collaborative painting at the beach, while professor Cuna gave an enlightening lecture at the DECS Hostel on the mystical tattooed people of Leyte.
This was followed by the formal opening of the festival at Plazoleta which started with mystical ritual dance performed by Ybarra and Bughaw Romana and her eight-month old boy. Ybarra is the composer of Biyaheng Langit and Bilog Na Naman Ang Buwan. Back at the Hostel, Carla Go later talked on visual arts as theraphy.
During the program, Deo Palma, national coordinator of Ang Katipunan ng mga Samahang Maharlika, handed certificates of recognition to DOT regional director Edwin Trompeta and Mr and Mrs. Jarantilla, A Maharlika Award to five-year-old Aum Duenas , the youngest artist in the festival, and posthumous Maharlika Award to the late Aklan Press Club president Billy de la Cruz who was one of Aklan’s leading artists and writers.
Later in the evning. Nonoy Pillora and Waway Saway joined other artists in the “indigenous jamming” while Prof. Dulce Cuna and Sharon Dadang showed their talent in ethnic chanting. After the Saturday evening ethnic fever, the participants took off early at five in the morning of Sunday and trooped to Kandingan Island on the eastern side of Boracay to perform the highlight of the festival, greeting the sunrise with spiritual singing, prayer and meditation.
As part of the festival’s program, Sheila Castillo and Josen Dalida led a mass feeding of the Aeta children in Boracay. The festival ended with happy and emotional sharing of experiences in the three-day activity.
sunrisefestival©2004philippines sunrise festival is an annual project of maharlika artists and writers federation
