By Francis Ryan Pabiania | February 22, 2021
Shows for the second semester virtual season started streaming in Silliman University Culture and the Arts Council’s (SUCAC) recently established website, prior to its official launching.
The Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium has not been able to hold live performances with restrictions on large gatherings in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the challenges of shifting to virtual performances, SUCAC believed that a website could help handle and facilitate its virtual events.
“Culture and Arts are always part of Silliman University’s whole person education, it makes SU education unique from other institution…The collaboration with other artists particularly in multimedia and video production, now become our team/partner that allowed us to continue our mission to promote the arts,” said SUCAC Director Diomar Abrio.
He added that the website was already a priority before the pandemic. This aims to continue their ‘service’ to patrons and students of the university as “culture and arts play a very important role to everyone’s lives especially during this challenging time,” he said.
He also highlighted that the website would also help protect virtual shows from piracy and allow the SUCAC to generate income from virtual subscription that will sustain its cultural programs.
The subscription for a virtual pass is worth 800 pesos for students and 1,000 pesos for non-students, which are cheaper compared to at least 2,000 pesos on live performances, said Abrio.
“I am proud to say that the SUCAC was able to educate our community to appreciate ‘arts’ in any form. Thus, most of our patrons and even students look forward to our cultural season.”
Abrio said that all shows of this year’s 58th Cultural Season showcase most Filipino or Visayan cultural traditions.
Moreover, the five shows for the semester were anchored in the theme ‘TINUBDANAN,’ a Bisaya term for flow. The SUCAC referred to it as a source, roots or heritage, particularly showcasing the Visayan Culture.
Two out of five of the pre-recorded performances had started streaming. In celebration of the National Arts Month, the semester was kicked-off with SU Dance Troupe’s SALING-TUOD last February 8, a ‘celebration of colors’ through Visayan Folk Dances, and the Valentine Songwriting Competition 2021 awarding rites.
Other performances include “Kundiman At Iba,” featuring all Filipino Art Songs and Love Songs on March 15-20; “Piknik”, a collaboration of piano performances featuring all Filipino Piano works performed by SU piano graduates and alumni on April 12 -17; “Tinubdanan”, a celebration of all Visayan art and love songs April 26 – May 1.
GUGMA: Valentine Songwriting Competition 2021 (VSC) featuring the VSC winners throughout the years and Dumpawa’s Lullaby are also available.
Abrio explained, “It was very challenging putting up all these virtual [events] but the SUCAC believed that this pandemic is teaching us so many things and allow us to be more creative in what we do, the “ culture and arts.”
As of time, the website is still a ‘work in progress.’ SUCAC is already planning the schedule of the official launch and will consider it as a ‘great achievement of service’ for SU students and its patrons.
“We continue to promote and support culture and arts, because art matters. Because Art touches and strengthens our soul in order to be mentally and emotionally healthy during these trying times. Padayon! Mabuhay ang Sining at Kultura,” he ended.
