Text By Hobart P Savior | Photos by Shaun Uy
Xavier University through its Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA), Performing Arts Companies, Museo de Oro, Office of Mission and Ministry, Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakabana – Social Involvement Office (KKP-SIO), National Service Training Program (NSTP), Office of International Cooperation and Networking (OICN), English Language and Literature Department, Kagawaran ng Filipino and Research and Social Outreach (RSO) office successfully held the seventh installment of Panaghugpong – Xavier Arts Festival.
This annual arts festival has been supported and funded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) through its Philippine Arts Festival - National Arts Month (PAF-NAM) management committee since its inception in February 2009. This year, Panaghugpong 7 is one of the 12 grantees to have implemented arts programs highlighting local cultural geniuses and promoted pride of place.
Panaghugpong arches its scope by weaving the harvest from folk oral traditions and literatures through an exhibit on Mindanao folk epics titled "Saysay: Lumad Myths and Epics." The exhibit included the works of Albert Vamenta and Nonoy Estarte, and it was curated by Oscar Floirendo. During its opening, the six cultural communities of Northern Mindanao like the Higa-unons, Talaandigs and Subanens were invited to perform a ritual of guidance, blessing and abundance. The group also performed their cultural dances that made the spectators appreciate their cultural brothers and sisters as well as their art expressions, material culture, music and heritage.
The performing arts companies of XU presented excellent productions. Dulaang Atenista presented their signature production of "No Probs, It’s Improvs" on February 3, 5 and 6 at the XU Little Theater. The DA production was directed by Ray Anthony Lao. XU Cultural Dance Troupe presented "Litrato" at N Hotel on February 6, directed by Prof Alice B Artazo. Xavier Philharmonia serenaded the community with their heartfelt production of "Lost and Found" on February 16 at XULT, a post-Valentines' Day event that surely made the audience enjoy classical and contemporary love music, directed by Joshua Arrabaca. XU Glee Club together with Friends and Music group gave a wonderful music experience through "Hearts: Love of Arts and Art of Love." The playlist of Glee Club did not only score in the audiences’ feelings but also inspired them through the various love and art music the group presented. "Dial M for Murder" by The Xavier Stage (TXS) closed its 4th theater season dubbed as "Misteryo" (Mystery), forming the culmination of the 7th Panaghugpong on February 28.
This year’s festival is fortunate to have the National Artist Virgilio Almario as he led the implementation of "Sulong: Dangal ng Wikang Filipino 2015 – Palihan sa Ortograpiyang Filipino at KWF Manual sa Masinop na Pag-sulat" on February 12-14 at the XULT. Sulong was organized by the XU Filipino Department headed by Dr Rogelio Gawahan. The program was attended by DepEd Filipino teachers from all over Mindanao. XU Physical Education Department successfully implemented its "Aero Marathon Para sa Mga Puso" on February 14, which served as a treat for "lovers of wellness." RSO, KKP-SIO and NSTP held a concert-forum to promote the RSO agenda on health and sanitation, food security, environment, peace and governance. The agenda were anchored on gender as the Mebuyan group performed the musical pieces carrying the message of each RSO agendum to the audience. The English Language and Literature Department through its Xavier English Language and Literature Organization (XELLO) and the praticum class of Prof Anne Catherine Acenas hosted a symposium about theatre on February 11, and it was attended by English majors, Literature and The Humanities students of XU.
Moreover, XU High School (XUHS) also held its English Month celebration with various contests and activities. The event was frontlined by Prof Jenny Yu, chairperson of the XUHS English Department. The Ricardo Leong Center for Chinese Studies of Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), Cultural Division of the Embassy of China, Confucius Institute of ADMU and Lim Ket Kai (LKK) Center held the 9th Spring Film Festival on February 20 at the LKK Center Rotunda. The festival featured two Chinese contemporary films "Legend of a Kung Fu Rabbit" and "Love Deposit." XCCA and LKK are very grateful to have held this Spring Film Festival for three years now. Lastly, the Office of International Cooperation and Networking (OICN) headed by Prof Elisabeth Enerio implemented a lecture performance of the Gregorian Chant of Paris on February 25 at the XU Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The project was made possible through the generosity of Alliance Francaise de Manille, the French Embassy and Centrio-Ayala Mall.
One of the best components of Panaghugpong 7 is the CDO Arts Forum held on February 21 at the XU Center for Integrated Technology (CIT) campus in Pueblo de Oro. CDO Arts Forum mapped the cultural, artistic and creative endeavors of artists based in Cagayan de Oro City. The forum served as a venue to converge and to introduce the artists and their respective art programs and efforts. The artists who attended were asked to share their experiences, engagements and challenges, and future steps they want to undertake in sustaining their art and their contributions to CDO. In the forum, best practices were presented by Dr Wenna B Damulo of Capitol University - Culture and Arts Office; Dr Herbert Glenn Reyes of MUST - Culture and Arts Department; Michael Bacol of CDO Arts Guild; Dean Charles Abing of the LdeCU College of Music; Prof Roger Garcia of XU; Architect Ian Echano of the United Architects of the Philippines - CDO chapter; and Rhyan Casiño of Dire Husi. XCCA served as the secretariat of the forum, and I serve as the convener. XCCA is finalizing the document as well as the directory of participants of the said forum.
True to its title, Panaghugpong has brought together various institutions and partners from XU and the CDO community to herald and celebrate the Arts. This year we reached to more than 7,300 audiences. We thank all our partners, staff and of course XU and NCCA. We also thank the XU’s History Department, Philosophy Department, Department of English Language and Literature, Filipino Department, Lapasan National High School, Liceo de Cagayan University, Kong Hua School, XU Grade School and XU High School English Department.
I once clarified that XCCA’s scope is mandated by the university but its reach is beyond the walls of XU. We wish that Panaghugpong has inclusively converged artists, culture and arts institutions and partners as the month-long festival aims to promote the understanding and appreciation of our creative wealth at XU, in Cagayan de Oro City and in the Philippines.