MORE THAN A CELEBRATION. The Lambago Art Awards honor artists, arts groups, cultural workers and institutions that have contributed to the growth of Cagayan de Oro City's cultural and artistic milieu.
Text by Samantha Isabelle H Bagayas
Photos by The Crusader Publication
To celebrate Cagayan de Oro’s art scene and to honor the arts and talents that are original to Kagay-anons, Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA), in coordination with English 91.1 Practicum Class and The Crusader Publication, organized the first ever Lambago Art Awards on February 20 at the Lucas Hall.
In his message, XU president Fr Roberto C Yap SJ highlighted the role of the arts in the preservation of culture, explaining that art is reminiscent of a group of people’s beliefs and lifestyle. Although often taken for granted, Yap pushed for a stronger recognition of the arts: “We need to contribute. We need to remember. And we need to preserve our culture through our arts if we wish to strengthen our identity as Filipinos.”
The Lambago Art Awards take its name from Cagayan de Oro’s original name “Kalambaguhan.”
Yap also stressed how the arts have always been a core part of Jesuit education, specifying the honor that lies in hosting the first Lambago Art Awards. The influence of arts in Jesuit education, he said, is evident even in the 1500s, where Jesuit schools easily became cultural centers because of their celebration of the city’s literature, drama, and music.
“The promotion of culture and the arts has always been an intrinsic part of Jesuit education, ever since the beginning. ... The schools themselves were the center where members of the community gathered to be entertained and to be enriched by culture and the arts,” Yap shared.
The event featured well-known artists and performers in CDO, such as the Capitol University Dance Troupe, CU Glee Club, XCCA artists, XU Glee Club, Xavier Philharmonia, Alex Dagalea, XTATIC, Jasmin San Juan-Llenas, The Xavier Stage, Dulaang Atenista, Liceo de Cagayan Folkloric Dance Troupe, and Next Moves, among others. A performance from the XU Cultural Dance Troupe featured an interpretation of the Bagobo dance. Selected members Nagkahiusang Mambabalak sa Cagayan de Oro (NAGMAC), a spoken word group based in the city, also performed poetry reading for the audience.
The event featured ten award categories, namely, dance, music, literature, visual arts, film & theater arts, art criticism, architecture, culture and arts institution, and museums. The awards were presented by CDO Mayor Oscar Moreno, Yap and XCCA director Hobart Savior.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Lambago Art Awardee in Literature Ametta S Taguchi shared her personal stance on the significance of the Lambago Art Awards to Kagay-anon artists.
“I would like to confess that my award makes me a bit guilty. You see, I’m awarded for something that’s fun to do. I’m given an award, not for work but for play. This feeling may also be true for the other awardees because artists love and enjoy nothing more than tinkering with their art even with no compensation. Indeed, it has been said that the best endeavor a person can be involved with is something that is close to his heart.”
GRATEFUL. Hobart Savior, director of Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts, expresses his gratitude to the people behind the success of the first Lambago Art Awards.
To conclude the awards ceremony, Savior shared the initiative behind the creation of Lambago Art Awards. While he aspired to celebrate the arts scene in Cagayan de Oro, he also aimed to bring recognition and support to art avenues in the city and to nurture the practice of arts and culture.
“When I first thought of doing these awards, I said to myself that the very reason why we recognize Cagayan de Oro arts and artists is for us to sustain art productions and at the same time secure appreciation and provide avenues for expression,” Savior said.
“These awards are affirmative answers to questions like, ‘Meron bang arts and culture ang Cagayan [de Oro]?’ Yes, we have a strong artistic community and, yes, we do have expressions and aspirations rooted in the cultures of our people.’”
Here is the complete list of the Lambago Art Awardees:
DANCE
Xavier University Cultural Dance Troupe
Liceo Folkloric Dance Troupe
Capitol University Dance Troupe
Next Moves
Kagay-an Performing Arts
XTATIC
Jasmine San Juan-Llenas
MUSIC
Ana Dela Fuente
Rudolf P Golez
Michael Auxilio
Dave Alba
Art Ramos
Xavier University Glee Club
Xavier Philharmonia
Capitol University Glee Club
Rap Batikos
Friends and Music
Alex Dagalea
LITERATURE
Raul Granada Moldez
Anthony Daposala
Lina Sagaral Reyes
Rogelio Fantonial Garcia Jr
Arlene Jaguit Yandug
Maria Elena Lastimosa Paulma
Ferdinand Tanael Cantular
Tyron Keith Maru Varias Sabal
Nagkahiusang Mambabalak sa Cagayan de Oro
Bathalad Mindanao
Antonio R Enriquez (Posthumous)
VISUAL ARTS
Pennessencio Estarte
Louie Talents
Jericho Valjustovamenta
Michelle Hollanes Lua
Errol P Balcos
Michael E Bacol
Nicolas Aca Jr
Chris Gomez
Evans Yonson
Froilan Gallardo
Ryan Carreon
Junnie Dwight Dalmacion
Artsada
Biswal Mindanao
Circulo de Arte
Dire Husi
Cagayan de Oro Arts Guild
FILM & THEATER ARTS
Joe Bacus
Cloyd Winstanley
Jasmine Mendez Limas
Ametta Taguchi
Denise Aguilar
Maia Nery Fortich Poblete
Dulaang Atenista
The Xavier Stage
ART CRITICISM
Mozart Pastrano
ARCHITECTURE
United Architects of the Philippines - CDO Chapter
CULTURAL & ARTS INSTITUTIONS
Cagayan de Oro City Tourism - Culture and Arts Committee
Liceo de Cagayan University Culture and Arts Office
MUSEUMS
Dr Erlinda M Burton of Museo de Oro
Dr Antonio J Roa Montalvan II
Museum of Three Cultures of Capitol University
La Castilla Museum of Liceo de Cagayan University