DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) — A groundbreaking ceremony for the Edades and Bernal Cultural Center and Museum was held on Friday, November 15, at Judge Jose de Venecia Sr. Highway in Pantal village of this city.
The project, spearheaded by Pangasinan Fourth District Representative Christopher “Toff” De Venecia, aims to honor two of the city’s national artists, Victorio Edades and Salvador Bernal.
The cultural center, authorized by Republic Act No. 11726, will serve as a hub for promoting arts, culture, and creative industries.
It will not only celebrate the legacy of Edades and Bernal but also inspire future generations of artists.
“This cultural institution will enrich cultural and community life. We look forward to accelerating Dagupan’s creative economy through this museum. Museums and cultural centers are not just places of creative expression; they are creative outputs themselves,” De Venecia said.
Edades was the acclaimed “Father of Modern Philippine Painting,” while Bernal was hailed as the “Father of Theater Design” in the Philippines.
Edades was proclaimed a national artist for painting in 1976 and Bernal for theater and design in 2003.
Among Bernal’s designs was “Sa Bunganga ng Pating” in 1995, which was executed using fish skeletons and bones, while Edades is known for his famous painting “Sketch” in 1928.
The museum will be a space to study, appreciate, and celebrate their artistic genius.
Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez, whose family donated the land for the project, emphasized the importance of honoring the city’s cultural heritage.
“The Edades and Bernal Museum will play a crucial role in educating future generations. This is not only our legacy but a gift to the future of Dagupan,” she said.
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the local government unit (LGU) of Dagupan are collaborating on this project.
NCCA Deputy Executive Director Marichu Tellano expressed the agency’s commitment to supporting the museum’s development and fostering a culture of appreciation for the arts.
“It is really important to us at the NCCA that we have an institution or structure like the Edades and Bernal Cultural Center and Museum. Many LGUs wish to have their own cultural center, and we really hope that this will support and inspire all of our young artists,” Tellano said.
Angeline Bernal Samson, sister of Salvador Bernal, expressed gratitude for the project and its potential to inspire future generations.
“This institution will serve as a long-lasting legacy for national artists Victorio Edades and Salvador Bernal, and we humbly honor and recognize their contributions with dignity. I believe this cultural center will inspire future generations, enriching our nation’s cultural landscape,” Bernal-Samson said.
The Edades and Bernal Cultural Center and Museum, with a total cost of P150 million, is expected to be completed within three years.
The first phase of the project is funded by a P50 million allocation from Senator Pia Cayetano. (AMB/RPM/PIA Pangasinan)
