Museum and Galleries Month
The month of October is filled with a plethora of celebrations and commemorations. According to Proclamation No. 798 s. 1991 signed by the late former president Corazon Aquino, the Museum and Galleries Month (MGM) is to be celebrated every October to highlight the culture of the Philippines. It is during this month that we embrace all forms of art and culture, historical and religious artifacts.
With this year’s theme “Honoring Traditions, Fostering Innovation”, the lineup of activities attempts to encapsulate the delicate balance between preserving the past and shaping the future. Among the exciting lineup of activities is Handurawang Kinamot: Cebuano Design and Heritage Exhibit by The Kabilin Center (TKC), in collaboration with Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation Inc. (CFIC) and other Cebu homegrown artisans and designers.
Handurawang Kinamot
“Handurawang Kinamot: Cebuano Design and Heritage offers a tribute to Cebu’s legacy of craftsmanship, positioning local design as a focal point in an intergenerational cultural dialogue. This exhibition brings together the traditions of Cebuano artisans with contemporary designs, highlighting the contributions of makers whose skills have been passed down through generations. From delicate decorative adornments to sturdy practical tools, each piece embodies the diversity of craft and its deep roots in cultural and community life.” —Alyssa Selanova, Curator, excerpt taken from Handurawang Kinamot curatorial note
Cebuano brands like Neil Felippe and Kenneth Cobonpue are juxtaposed against the local products of cultural heroes: Luariana Olaguir, Beatriz Beriarmente, Carmelita Bayaras, Masima Jakosalem, Saturnino Jakosalem, Charito Hernandez, Lady Agravente, Emilita Illut, Demetrio Sumagang, Editha Dela Cerna, Anecita Bankali, Mifel Capuyan, Editha Aguanta, Vivian Oftana, Jessica Colina, Grace Impas.
Partners and invited guests are greeted by black & white photographs with names of the “cultural heroes” mentioned above—artisans that continue the practice and partake in the creation of local products. Through this, we see TKC’s attention to detail in the genuine representation of artisans, most of which go unnamed in similar settings and it is truly admirable.
To officially mark the opening of the exhibition, artist Ronyel Compra delivers a performance art piece entitled Usab pagtalidhay usab which explores the delicate balance between progress, creation, and destruction.
The various techniques used in artisanal products require mastery and muscle memory. Such mastery is seen in the artisanal products featured from the north namely the footwear and sacks in Bantayan Island, the banig in Tuburan, Sogod, the sinamay in Carmen, the pottery in Liloan, and works like the hablon in Argao, Badian, Barili, bamboo furniture in Alegria, and the amakan in Carcar.
Handurawang Kinamot: Cebuano Design and Heritage is on display from 4 October 2024 – 7 February 2025 at The Kabilin Center on Mondays to Saturdays, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, located at 3rd Eduardo Aboitiz Street, Tinago, Cebu City.
Regular rate: ₱150, Student rate: ₱130.
Photography Kyrra Kho