IF you think the month of February is only about flowers, chocolates, and the People Power Revolution, then think again. It is also the National Arts Month.

And Dagupan City joins in the month-long celebration through its series of events launched on February 1.

Pasob sa Ani ng Sining illustrates the city’s support to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, lauding its return to its roots – looking back at the city’s humble beginnings.

Pasob is a Pangasinan word, which refers to the unique practice of the Filipinos of using smoke to stimulate flowering of mango trees.

“Pasob sa Ani ng Sining is important”, said local artist Nathaniel Jovero. “We artists are the smoke, which would help and propel future generations to bloom by indulging more in the arts”.

Last February 1, the city government launched first Plein Air Art Competition, the art of painting outdoors.

Last February 12, the short film Anino ed Telon, was shown and Darapilan: Arts Exhibition of Dagupan City, was staged at the unfinished city hall inside the campus of Dagupan City National High School (DCNHS).

Darapilan is a Pangasinan word for the workshop in the sugar cane plantation where stalks are processed into sugar.

Rex Catubig, executive consultant for the Arts Month Events, said the event showcases 50 artworks of local artists and the winning pieces in the earlier plein art competition.

“This is to allow our local artists to gain exposure in the community by providing a venue that’s conducive to creative process”, said Catubig.

In partnership with the City Tourism Office, the local arts community, University of Luzon, Department of Education Dagupan City Division, and Jayceeken, organized the event in the unfinished city hall.

“We chose the unfinished City hall because it is there and we want to show that it can be repurposed and put to good use. Of course, the ambience cannot be discounted”, Catubig added.

Catubig said Darapilan highlights Dagupan City’s art and culture exemplifying the quality of progress determined by its commerce and industry.

While the city has produced numerous artists – with Salvador F. Bernal and Victorio C. Edades on the top as National Artists for Theater Design and Visual Arts respectively, Catubig feels the community lacks a ‘repository’ of its arts and culture.

“This long-neglected building may be the matrix and crucible that would nurture and awaken the dormant dream”, Catubig added.

With the success of Darapilan, Catubig is optimistic that the once unfinished building, supposedly yet unsuccessfully set to become the Dagupan’s seat of power, would soon be a monument for the city’s artistic and cultural spirit.

The Dagupan City Arts Month kick-off was held last Saturday, February 15, while a Pangasinan Art Summit and Conference will be held on February 18 at the Dagupan City National High School.

The celebration will end with a fellowship night on February 22, at the Dawel River Cruise Dock. (Ahikam Pasion)

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