El Nido celebrates nature and culture

MANILA, Philippines - The picturesque town of El Nido, Palawan celebrates nature and culture as it marks the 6th Kalugtan Arts Festival from April 28 to May 1.

The festivity, which kicks off on Earth Day (April 22), will highlight the need to preserve the environment and showcase its rich artistic heritage. The word “kalugtan” is derived from the Cuyuno word “lugta,” meaning earth.

Organized by the Kalugtan Arts Guild with the support of El Nido Mayor Leonor Corral, the fest features seminar workshops on different art disciplines, as well as exhibits and a host of special events.

Guest lecturers and facilitators include Mimi Villareal for basic dance, Tomas Agulto for poetry, Carol Bello for voice lessons, Frances Mendoza for basic painting, Mideo Cruz for advance painting, Mario Lubrico for terra cotta sculpture, Mary Jane Alejo for songwriting, Ronalisa Co for creative writing, and Mike Garcia for videography.

Tomas Agulto, a three-time “Makata Ng Taon” awardee and recipient of Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas, will discuss Philippine literature in an art forum at Balay Tubay Bistro asta Galeri.

Dr. Victor Paz, Dean of the University of the Philippines Archaeological Studies Program, will conclude the lecture series as he talks on cosmology.

Moreover, participants will showcase their visual outputs and newly-acquired skills during the graduation ceremony while the guest artists will go hopping at Matinloc, Pinagbuyutan and Vigan islands on May 2.

Kalugtan festival will also feature an “eco-care activity” where participants carry out environmental projects. This year, organizers opted to collect crown of thorns rather than the usual coastal clean up to help local divers remove the coral-eating starfish.

Non-divers can do their share at Pasimbahan Cave by removing graffiti from its walls.

In a related development, Mayor Corral announced that the municipal government is now implementing the Eco-Tourism Development Fee to help protect El Nido’s environment, rehabilitate its ecosystem and develop its full tourism potentials.

Visitors pay certain fees for a 10-day pass to gain access to all tourism sites. Fees will go mainly to environmental protection, resource rehabilitation, solid waste management and tourism development.

Situated in the northern part of Palawan mainland, El Nido was declared a Managed Resource Protected Area by the government in 1998. It boasts of a diverse ecosystem of five endemic species of mammals, 114 bird species, 45 genera of corals, 888 fish species, vast tracts of tropical rainforest, and is home to manta rays and the manatee or dugong, the world’s rarest marine mammal.

For details, log on to www.elnidotourism.com.