National Arts Month as a protest of discrimination
By Zarelle Villanzana, Genno Rabaya
February opens in protest of the discrimination at the lively Pantawan, when a visual artist was shunned on January 30—an ironic situation in transition to this year’s National Arts Month.
“Kinsay ga drawing ani?” asked one official from the group. (Who drew this?)
Looks between the artists were exchanged.
“Ah, bawal,” was his following statement. (Not allowed.)
The scene took off on social media, garnering widespread public attention. A permit was requested from the visual artist, who was peacefully sketching a woman’s image at a public venue.
Pantawan Boulevard houses a range of people from day to night. Buskers, joggers, and even brief dwellers who find solace by the seawall or the benches. These groups do not cause havoc or disrupt systems; they merely indulge in one of the few areas of the city open to the public for free use, however one wishes. Showcasing various talents and interests, they contribute to the park’s vibrancy. Live-sketching artists are not separate from this population.
“We felt insulted,” expressed one artist from M&L Arts, an organized group that originated from Negros Oriental State University (NORSU). The artist shown in the viral video, Aldwin Dave Contad, was a member.
“We were reduced to a simple figure,” the other artist added, how they felt power-tripped as they were shunned by officials in their uniforms, while being mere civilians. “It felt heartbreaking.”
On the first day of February, a silent protest was in motion. A small gathering of artists was live-sketching at the boulevard. Mats were laid down, alongside foldable tables and camping chairs. Sprawled across the floor were pencils of color and charcoal. Paper was abundant.
Children flocked to the scene, and those of the older ages poured out their young hearts through imagination and creativity. They sat down amongst the youth, blending in with their childlike curiosity.
Jana Jumalon, the organizer, shared how she only thought of the idea that morning. “Timing pud na Arts Month,” she said. (It is also timely that it’s Arts Month.)
As a local visual artist herself, she felt the need to respond to the situation in the way she was familiar with.
When asked whether this will be a recurring event, Jumalon hopes so, given the traction it has gained across all walks of life.
Present during the event was the M&L Arts group. According to the group, they have been live-sketching every now and then in the area, and they would often be told the same thing.
“Ang rumor, wala sila [the official] na orient,” (“The rumor is that they were not oriented,”) one artist said. “That should be their part,” the artist urged.
On February 3, Dumaguete City Mayor Chiquiting Sagarbarria’s response in an interview was that, “[At] that very moment, he was not an artist anymore. He was doing business.”
He explained further how other businesses situated in the area also had to get permits due to their money-generating gimmicks.
One user from the post’s comment section pointed out the high cost of permit worth ₱500,compared to the insufficient income of an artist’s side hustle who earns about ₱300 per 3 drawings.
“IT DOESN’T MAKE MUCH MONEY,” the user stressed.
In addressing the task force behavior, Vice Mayor Estanislao Alviola said that “the job description of every member” should be defined specifically, “para dili ta ma-misinterpret sa katawhan sa pag deliver sa atong responsibilidad.” (so we will not be misinterpreted by the people in delivering our responsibilities.)
He added: “We don’t want these things to continue, na walay kortesiya (of having no courtesy)… It should be [done] in a humane way, [because] Pantawan is a People’s Park.”
The concerned offices were said to have been invited to expedite action to resolve the issue.
In the weeks that followed, abundant were the art events that trailed Dumaguete.
From the performances at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium stage, to the three-day celebration organized by the Dumaguete City Tourism Office at Quezon Park, artistry was celebrated with advocacy that powered them through.
The Dumaguete Arts Month events spanned from Feb. 20 to 22. It featured a live painting competition, a photography contest, a contemporary dance competition, and the grand launching of Tayada sa Plaza, where different talents were showcased onstage.
On the tiled floors of the Quezon Park gazebo, rows of banig were laid down where the artists sat, in front of their white canvases. Plastic covers served as palettes, and the plastic container bodies held water for mixing. This live-painting scene mimicked that of the small get-together protest at the Pantawan from the start of the month, inviting ages young and old.
But this time, it was hosted by the government, at a location distinct from where the commotion had first ensued.
