GINGOOG City held a mixed media art exhibit titled “Gasayuda 2024” on February 21, in celebration of National Arts Month, emphasizing the need for a unified effort to protect the balance between culture and the environment.
International artist and advocate for soil painting and indigenous arts, Datu Rodelio “Waway” Saway, highlighted the importance of collaborative work to safeguard the environment during the event.
Mayor Erick Cañosa expressed the local government’s commitment to nurturing the talents of Gingoog’s youth and assured ongoing support for the city’s artists.
He mentioned plans to showcase local talents on a national level, underscoring the administration’s focus on cultural development.
Saway, who also serves as a municipal councilor in Songco, Lantapan, Bukidnon, stressed the significance of preserving the cultural and environmental heritage of the Mindanao mountains.
He pointed out the region’s rich cultural heritage, biodiversity, and ecological significance, emphasizing the need to protect it from climate change.
According to Saway, the indigenous communities in the area have developed unique traditions, arts, music, and rituals that are deeply connected with nature, celebrating the region’s natural beauty and biodiversity.
He further explained that cultural evolution in the Mindanao Mountains has been influenced by oral traditions that promote environmental preservation and stewardship.
These traditions, including storytelling, songs, and rituals, have conveyed knowledge about sustainable land use and conservation, emphasizing the interconnectedness between culture, environment, and human well-being.
Saway added that music and chants honor the spirits of nature, fostering reverence and respect for the environment.
Rituals performed by indigenous communities express gratitude, protection, and renewal for the land and its resources, reinforcing the spiritual connection between people and nature.
The “Gasayuda 2024” exhibit is available for viewing at Gaisano Grand Mall Gingoog City until February 29, 2024.
Mayor Erick G. Canosa, City Council Chairperson on Tourism, Cultural Affairs and Zoning Councilor Stephanie Marie L. Kho, and the City Tourism Office attended the event to support the local artists, showcasing the community’s dedication to cultural and environmental preservation. (With a report from Irene Joy B. Dayo/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental)
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