Consider this

The distinction of being recognized as a creative city by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) carries great weight and should be seriously considered, in so far as innovative and creative practices is concerned, when the Panagbenga Festival 2019 properly gets underway.

As already clarified by City Councilor Mylen Yaranon, the creative city recognition by UNESCO of the City of Baguio is not an award, rather it is a reputation that was earned by the city and granted by UNESCO by virtue of the creativity and innovation of the former in its arts and crafts.

It is therefore a serious responsibility and a mandate for the city to introduce innovations and creativeness in all of its programs and activities to reflect and bolster its status as a creative city.

The Panagbenga Festival 2019 is one such event where the city can showcase its innovativeness and creativity.

In this regard the suggestions of Councilor Yaranon on how the Panagbenga should be presented and run has to be considered by the Festival committee if it hopes to prove its singular status as the only creative city in the country. To recall, in an interview with the media, Councilor Yaranon suggested that Panagbenga should focus on how the city can boost the local creative economy, promote culture and creativity, and increase the participation of artists and artisans. The last part of her statement is interesting because she is encouraging the wider participation of local, or even national artists and artisans in the Panagbenga activities.

Now relative to the above suggestion, maybe we can go further by also suggesting specific activities that can be undertaken by our artists and artisans such as, but not limited to, painting temporary murals along designated sidewalks or streets, to add color and artistry during certain events. This is actually feasible particularly during the Baguio Blooms Exposition and Exhibition, which is an economic activity of the Panagbenga Festival, where stalls are put up where vendors can sell their wares. Now to add more color to the said exposition perhaps the artists can paint temporary murals on all sidings of the stalls to be erected as well as the street where the activity will be conducted. And since the Baguio Blooms Exposition and Exhibition will be done within Burnham Park perhaps our artists can also be encouraged to put up art installations such as those made in the past by our national artist Kidlat Tahimik to further add artistry to the event. Of course the expenses for these impromptu art exhibits should be shouldered by the operator of the trade fair.

This type of art expressions can also be done during Session Road in bloom which is another type of trade fair.

Our artists can also be offered an opportunity to sell their work to the public by allowing them spaces all around the trade fair venues where they can exhibit them. This is one way of bolstering the support of the city for our local and talented artists.

Finally, as correctly pointed out by Councilor Yaranon, the Panagbenga Committee should consult our artists and artisans on how art and creativity can be infused in the festival to make it not only more colorful but also reiterate the reputation of the locality as a creative city.

Sideglance

Amianan Balita Ngayon