Public Art & Lights Display Expo 2012

CEBU, Philippines - All eight entries to an installation art and lights display exposition in Aloguinsan exhibited artistic excellence, which means the artists have very well demonstrated mastery of skills, techniques, and craftsmanship; professional approaches to process and presentation, and communication of vision and theme.

When it comes to site responsiveness, all eight public arts speak of the creators' ability to come up with artwork that addresses the physical and community context of its placement, and site of placement which is the seaside grounds proximate to the municipal hall and the public market.

When checked of the appropriateness of materials, most of the works showed evidence of ability to execute artwork utilizing durable and recycled materials.

Entries these good get the judges entangled in a deliberation!

Such exactly happened in Aloguinsan last December 2 for its "Public Art & Lights Display Expo 2012" wherein this writer, along with Dr. Joy Gerra of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.; Iloilo historian/cultural worker Eugene Jamerlan, Cebu Technological University psychometrician May Martinez, nurse Rachel Reyes-Costas, poet/writer Orly Cajejas, and Cebu historian/writer Gavin Sanson Bagares were tasked to rank the entries for the first (of three) round.

Vice Mayor Cynthia Moreno expressed she was at the verge of crying upon seeing the outcome of entries once these were lit simultaneously last Dec. 2, after a parade at dusk, to mark the start of the town's Christmas celebration.

"Dili ko kasabot sa akong gibati. Mora kog kahilakon," VM Moreno said. "Look at what we can achieve if we work together as one, if we are united by a common goal. Tan-awa unsa kanindot sa inyong mugna. If I were to be asked, I would declare you all winners," she added, in addressing the participating barangays grouped in eight clusters.

The installation carried the theme: "Under the Sea," simply to remind the community of their strong connection with the sea. Aloguinsan is a coastal town in western Cebu, facing Tañon Strait. In February, its Snorkel Safari tour program in Kantabogon Cove will be officially launched to give visitors a literal immersion into its rich and colorful coralline, leading to a 350-foot underwater drop, all part of its marine sanctuary strengthened through an already three-year-old program.

The entries, including a tableau, featured the Kinsan (of the snapper family endemic to the deep waters of Aloguinsan), a "tamala" (a variety of octopus) holding on to a shellfish locally called "sakasaka" (to mean "go up" because while it thrives in saline waters, it moves up the Aloguinsan River to burrow itself in estuary mud); giant clams called "takubo", a giant shrimp, a shark, and a fisherman to represent a people's association in Bojo, known for its highly successful river cruise and related tour packages.

Most of the entries utilized LED lights in assorted colors, which highlighted a "from litter to glitter" concept. "Instead of looking at traditional Christmas symbols, you look at our rich marine resources, our source of living. Di ba mas nindot?" Moreno further addressed hundreds of participants to the said event.

Winners will be announced in January yet, as there is an ongoing "Like" campaign on Facebook. Search Aloguinsan Community Bulletin to like an entry. (FREEMAN)