SAMBOLAYANG
2012: A SOUTH MINDANAO VISUAL ARTS CONGRESS
The sambolayang—is a large type of tapestry
with the sole purpose in an outdoor hanging with a horizontal pole attach to it
suspended on a vertical long pole. The immense cloth is rectangular in shape where
the length is vertical and the lower portion having three triangular fork like
cuts dangling, with tassels serving as deadweights.
This decorative
material is the major marker in a group of decorations that includes the pasandalan, the obor, balajuntay and the pandala.
They are raise from the ground by poles and can be seen from great distances.
These colorful
displays of flags and banners are to signify as ‘tous’—or landmarks of a festivity, fanfare and celebration.
Flaglettes—pandji—along the roads
would become markers giving direction to where the festivity is located, and
large flags—pasandalan—would become
familiar sight of attraction. But an immense sign post is usually above any
house, fluttering in the wind, the sambolayang—the
pointer of the grandness of such occasion and the importance of such event.
Whether in a kalilang-wedding, or a simple pakarajan-festivity or modest kanduli or thanksgiving, these
decorations show off not only its entertainment value that the occasion can
bring but also the solidarity and consolidation of the community that it
represent through socialization which strengthens the community and its
existence as a people—eating together, praying in congregation, discussing
issues, and sometimes resolving problems and ending conflicts.
The sambolayang sole purpose is to recognize
such grand gathering of the varied segments of society where everyone’s support
is needed. The sambolayang becomes a very important marker that proclaims such
unity and harmony.
Hence, the Visual
Arts Congress 2012 for Southern Mindanao has taken this symbol as its main logo
where the meaning of the 'sambolayang'
addresses the very objectives the Arts Congress seeks to achieve.
As the sambolayang represents the meeting of
all social status in a festival, so does the the Sambolayang 2012 Visual Arts
Congress in General Santos City aims to create a venue for this kind of meeting
between the visual arts communities from areas such as Davao City, Davao
Oriental, Koronadal, South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sarangani and Gensan, a
landmark convergence that intends to showcase the active art making in the area
and to pave the way for interaction that would strengthen the bond of
solidarity and camaraderie and point a direction of the community’s shared
aims.
The convergence
of these artists representing the various art communities strengthens the bond
of unity among them, consolidates networking, and creates a venue for future
collaboration and for greater interaction.
This arts
congress also aims to renew creative energies and this reinvigoration is to be
achieved through the expected artists-interaction, skill sharing, updates on
trends and issues in contemporary and modernist art making in the country.
Lastly,
the congress will address issues in the arts community: Contemporary and
Philippine Modernist Artmaking Updates, Arts and Copyrights, Artist and
Society, Arts and Peace among others to be provided by an expert pool of
speakers, sharers and discussants.
This
project is committee initiated after the Committee on Visual Arts Workshop in
Cebu of 2011, a series of Arts Congresses to be held in the regions
(‘Dibuho’-Northern Mindanao, Cagayan de Oro; ‘Methepuk’-Western Mindanao,
Pagadian; ‘Balikatan’-Northern Luzon, Santiago, Isabela; ‘Sambolayang’-Southern
Mindanao, Gensan; ‘Unang Daloy’-Central Luzon, Bulacan; and the Visayas
Congresses for 2013) highlighting the importance of regional visual arts
communities and to come up with an assessment on regional artists and body of
artworks and the updating of the Committee’s memberships. This also includes
the consolidation of the regional arts community for future collaborations and
networking and to come with a more viable and up to date regional visual
artists directory that can supplement the finalization of the Mindanao Arts
Directory Project.
Moreover,
this visual arts congress is in collaboration with the dramatic arts in a
collaborative project known as 'Layag Gensan: A Celebration of
Artspaces'--where it is envisioned of the meeting and mounting of a joint
efforts between the visual, dramatic and music arts. The set of the dramatic
arts production 'Pagari: Brothers in Peace' is made by local artists and the
first workshop outputs from the congress is mounted by the candle bearing
artist-delegation on the Pagari Boats over a collective song, 'Sambolayang sa
Gensan, Sambolayang Mindanao. Kambayabaya, Kapayapaan, Kalinaw, Kalilintad'.
This showcase of camaraderie and interaction highlights the opening of the play
production for peace. Likewise, the dramatic arts performed in the opening
ceremony of the project and opening of the visual arts exhibition at SM City
Gensan including some rituals participated by the visual artists in the
congress proper.
Our Participants
This
project is realized through the assistance and guidance of two National
Committees: through its Mindanao representatives, Romeo Narvaez, Dramatic Arts
and Al-Nezzar Ali, Visual Arts of the National Commission for Culture and the
Arts in an inter-committee project which is greatly encourage and promoted and
where collaborative works are given more emphasis and priority by the NCCA.
The
Layag Gensan 2012 is materialized due to
the assistance of local conduits, the Kalimudan Culture and Arts Centre based
in Gensan and the Mindanao State University-General Santos City whose great
efforts and planning to consolidate this challenging task is commendable and
outstanding. Local partners are also utilize in the process like the Arts
Groups as volunteers, BITS Inc. for its mandate to discuss and help local artists
in the issue of arts and copyright, and SM City Gensan, a local partner for the
promotion of arts and culture in the city. Recognition is also given to the
teachers and students of Holy Trinity College, DEPEd Gensan, Mindanao State
University and Wizard Shalom Crest Academy for their support and contributions.
Our gratitude also is extended to the Fine Arts Education Program under the
College of Architecture headed by Prof. Rogelito Jun Cayas and faculty, Prof.
Rey Bollozos of the University of Mindanao, Davao City; Mr. Gurgil Llanita and
the Kuwadro Visual Arts, Davao Oriental State University, Mati, Davao Oriental;
Meg Quinones, Culture and Arts Office and Peace Programs, Southern Christian
College, Midsayap, North Cotabato; Culture and Arts Office of Holy Trinity
College; and Culture and Arts Office, OPESCA, Mindanao State University.
Sambolayang Visual Arts Exhibition 2012
SM Activity Center
Curated by Al-Nezzar Ali, NCVA
GENSAN (20)
Edrick
Aguirre
Julius
Seniego
Boboy Daa
Sherwin
Villano
Giovan Gotas
Glen Gotas
Gerardo
Magbanua
Rj Reforma
Joel
Maglasang
Jimboy
Juegos
Israel Oca
Reo
Militante
Robfil
Urbano
Jupiter Java
Bon Valencia
Bobby
Peñafiel
Renz Altubar
(CDO)
Emelie
Jontilano
Paul Aban
John Rey
Otero
MARBEL (10)
Chris Alayon
Frank
Villarias
Andy
Francisco
Lito
Formentira
Jaypee Sibag
Ian Villamosada
Joel Balanay
Darmi Julyan
Mielbert
Balmatero
Jay Castante
Jayson
Dona-al
Al Monto
Edgar
Baunillo
Gaylord
Murcia
Tyrone
Hechanueva
Ronald
Tangaro
MIDSAYAP (3)
Darelee
Uballas
Nathaniel
Silao Jr.
Redentor
Alejado
Ronald
Tamfalan
Romy Badal
Kaloy
Padilla
Yuki Didal
POLOMOLOK (2)
Adnan Razul
Jorey Amparo
Rey Bollozos
Qric
Batilaran
Sherwin Mara
Boylin Poral
Elben Mark
Fernandez
Darriel
Lemasa
Darryl
Caragao
Dominick
Pilapil
El Dream
Ando
Frances
Alaba
Jann
Fraulien Reble
Jeoffry
Pradascasan
Jester Oani
John Amora
Kent
Medenilla
King Nelson
Duyan
Mark
Eclipse
Nikka Tapao
Reagan
Deiparine
Paul Patoc
Aiza
Hoyohoy
MATI Davao (5)
Daniel
Malayabas
Gorgel
Llanita
June
Gallego
Carissa
Rosos
Rahima
Garcia
STUDENT ARTISTS (10)
Janine
Magbanua (GSC)
Felino
Claveria (GSC)
Geofil Recibido
(GSC)
Samuel Sipe
(GSC)
Ron Limos
(GSC)
Marc
Anthony Jickain (GSC)
Stephanie
Dullano (GSC)
Marlon Jay
Bernasor (GSC)
Cherry Mae
Barolo (GSC)
Czar
Subang (Tupi)
