Creative industry experts in Eastern Visayas advocate for art as a viable career. They share their inspiring journeys that have led to global success in the art industry.
Their humble beginnings resonated with 96 young artists who showcased their works at the Fiesta Haraya in Eastern Visayas 2024: Celebrating Culture and Creativity, an event organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
The initiative aims to provide guidance and support to aspiring artists while highlighting the artistic heritage of the Filipino people, particularly in the region.
A blend of two words: Fiesta, the Spanish term for festivity, and Haraya, which means imagination or vision. This showcases a scope of power, creativity, and cultural expression, from traditional techniques to digital interpretations,” said Celerina T. Bato, DTI-8 regional director.
Art as a force for good
Roel Cabulang is a creative industry expert who emerged as a self-taught international artist from Naval, Biliran. He is known for his passionate advocacy of art as a force for good.
One of his artworks, titled “Mother Blue,” was sold to support the rebuilding of a school clinic on Biliran Island following a request from the school principal.
“I accepted her plea. I told her I’d see what I could do. But trust me, I do not have a lot of money. I have talent that I can utilize and do so much,” he said.
Cabulang successfully sold his painting for P320,000 within five minutes of placing it in an online auction. He generously pledged to donate 100 percent of the proceeds to support the school clinic and the community.
As part of the rebuilding efforts, he organized an art workshop that involved 635 pupils and their parents, helping them create rock art for the design. This initiative was made possible with the support of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Local Government Unit (LGU).
As his popularity grew due to his poems and artworks being exhibited in various galleries nationally and internationally, he introduced a new painting titled “You Are My Beautiful Mess.”
This painting, which currently has a bid of P87,300, was also displayed at the event. During the announcement, he shared his intention to donate 100 percent of its proceeds to the “End Polio Now” campaign organized by Rotary Club International.
“As an artist, just create, create, and create. That’s how you get better. There’s no such thing as artist’s block. You are not only utilizing your art to improve your standard of living, but it also affects the people around you,” Cabulang said.
Film productions
Another prominent figure contributing to the pride of Eastern Visayas is Gianfranco Morciano, a film director and producer at 4Blues Productions Inc.
He shared the mission of his production company, which is to promote the region as a desirable shooting location for national films.
He also served as an assistant director of the 2017 movie “Balangiga: Howling Wilderness,” which was filmed in Eastern Samar and featured the Waray-Waray language.
“Many were confused by that movie; they found it unusual, and it kind of shocked them. The director had a deep interpretation of the Balangiga massacre. I couldn’t blame people because most films nowadays are spoon-fed. But sometimes, we, as an audience, should also learn how to analyze in our ways what the director is trying to convey throughout the film,” he shared.
Morciano believed art can take many forms and evoke emotions in ways that words often cannot. Art can express both joyful feelings and address urgent issues.
The film won 12 awards and received 20 nominations. Despite the critical acclaim, it raised awareness about a disturbing and shocking incident in the region’s history.
The “Balangiga: Howling Wilderness” is available to stream on Netflix.
Creative services
Dr. Joemar Taganna, an esteemed expert, founded his company, “SciBiz Informatics,” after identifying himself as a “product of the internet.”
He created a technological product called “Paytaca,” which functions as a cryptocurrency wallet or digital currency.
“We use art to create connections. In our company, we create our products to connect with people. In Internet products, we talk about user experience; we design interfaces in a way that appeals to users,” he said.
Taganna recognized ongoing market changes as a significant challenge for the company. This awareness drives them to create more engaging product narratives and increase sales.
“Paytaca” is widely known as an online payment system. Its use of blockchain technology sets it apart from other platforms, which securely records, links, and protects every consumer transaction, making it difficult to alter, hack, or manipulate.
With the support of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the company has been gradually expanding its business partnerships overseas while maintaining a hyperlocal adaptation.
Young artist’s perspective
Meanwhile, Khyress Gabrielle Macalalad, one of the young artists whose artworks were displayed, emphasized how this event is incredibly beneficial because it encourages more artists to feel confident in producing additional pieces.
“It’s about time that the talents of local artists get the right platform and recognition. Visual arts in Eastern Visayas are still young compared to other regions, and this is exactly the kind of boost it needs for the art community to flourish,” she said.
The initiative to provide platforms for various art forms shows that government agencies, like DTI-8, are dedicated to recognizing talent and creating more opportunities, thereby enhancing the role of art in society. (AAC/JKPA, PIA Leyte)
