Cecile M. Genove

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Dumaguete-based visual artist Cristina "Kitty" Sollesta Taniguchi reaped a special prize for her two paintings entitled Ritual by Red Field, oil on canvas measured at 226 x 354 cms. And I Just Want to See an Angel Kissing a Woman, similarly oil on canvas measuring 224 x 354 cms. during the second Beijing International Art Biennale held recently.

Consequently, the latter art work has now become part of the collection of the Beijing Art Biennale. The two art works were also on exhibit at the Beijing Millennium Monument for some time.

The Biennale was attended by 69 countries, which exceeded the previous art activity's participation of only 45 nations, with a marked significant improvement noted in the quality of the works.

Around 800 established visual artists, curators, and critics from all over the world were part of this largest and most anticipated and influential art exhibition in China. The Biennale centered on the theme of contemporary arts with humanistic concerns. The next Biennale will be held in conjunction with the Olympic Games in 2008.

Taniguchi, whom we chanced upon in the midst of her preparation for another exhibit, acknowledges this recent feat to young artists whom she encourages to express themselves through their art works.

"I would love to see the day when local artistic talents are extensively developed and supported here," concurs Taniguchi, who is also widely acclaimed in Manila art circles and a three-time finalist of the Philip Morris Arts Awards.

Her only child, Maria Taniguchi, is herself a multiawarded and gifted young artist. She went to school at the Philippine School for the Arts. Together, mother and daughter help each other in managing the Mariyah Gallery, which they own, and which was the venue of the recently concluded first Dumaguete Terra Cotta Art Biennale.

An extensive feature on Cristina Taniguchi together with her daughter is in the offing once they come back from their art exhibitions outside the country.

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In line with the national celebration of the Indigenous Peoples' Month Celebration, a regional launching was also held in Dumaguete through the City Tourism Council chaired by Councilor Manuel Sagarbarria Jr. and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Dubbed as Katutubo: Noon at Ngayon, the nationwide launching in various regions of the country aimed to create a deeper understanding and appreciation of the culture and practices of the indigenous peoples, as well as encourage the revitalization of these traditions that can address the current concerns of the communities.

Moreover, it integrated various facets of our existing indigenous peoples' culture and mainstreaming them into contemporary culture, further enhancing local efforts in anchoring tourism on local culture.

Various activities were lined up for the celebration, like the traditional games and sports competitions at the Café Turismo along Rizal Boulevard, a lecture on indigenous culture at Silliman Universtiy, photo competition and exhibit at the Dumaguete Press Club, the cultural industries tour of traditional and contemporary craft industry sites within Dumaguete, and evening performances at the Café Turismo.

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Region 7 concluded recently its second KALAHI-CIDSS Regional Stakeholders Conference at the Siquijor Social Quadrangle, Siquijor, Siquijor. Theme of this year's conference is Visions, Voices, Verses: Bagong Kwento, Kwentong Pagbabago.

The conference gathered stakeholders from local government organizations and the communities of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS Project), which is the government's flagship anti-poverty project.

The gathering attempted to energize the communities and harness the people's creative potentials by encouraging them to voice out their problems, dreams, and aspirations in an interesting and creative manner. It also broadened the stakeholders' imagination, with the end in view of "building the nation by building imagination." Among the major activities were contests in songwriting, visual arts and people's theater, exhibits, and a resource generation forum.

The People's Theater Group of the municipality of Siquijor won first place in the contest with a cash prize of P5,000. Meanwhile, the municipalities of Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor, and Danao, Bohol got the second and third places with cash prizes of P3,000 and P2,000, respectively.

The first placer in the Regional People's Theater Production representing the municipality of Siquijor, the play Ang Hiwaga sa Makulimlim na Tubig, epitomizes the misconceptions of the people in the community about the source of water which is oftentimes blamed on supernatural beings known as diwata, as well as the existence of mangkukulam in the locality. Siquijor is famous for its witchcraft and voodooism.

The drama aims to revolutionize the people in the community that the inadequacy of the supply of water can only be solved with the appropriate scientific and technological approaches through the assistance of the KALAHI-CIDSS.

Writer and director is Roel Taroc, physics professor of Siquijor State College. The actors and actresses, who are actively involved in the various KALAHI-CIDSS projects, are: Eric Duhaylungsod of the Provincial Accountant's Office as Lorenzo; Maricel Sedigo Sinahon of Nonoc Elementary School as Fatima; Kerwin Patria of LGU-Siquijor as Martin; Aida Relayosa Jumawan of Candanay Elementary School as Lourdes; Rheed Archirri Agan of the SSC Caregiving Crash Program as Prinsepe Pablo; Florence Eve Cadungog of Tambisan National High School as Veronica; Gary Dava of the Provincial Engineer's Office as Grandpapang Mangkukulam; Jezrel Pintac, KALAHI volunteer as Lucas; Steven Sumaylo, English instructor of SSC as KALAHI-CIDSS agent/narrator; and Edwin Briones of Saint Francis of Assissi Parish Choir as organist.

The group competed in the national conference representing Central Visayas Region for Best People's Theater Production during the KALAHI-CIDSS Second National Conference in Intramuros, Manila.

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