Writers, artists converge for Tagbo

TAGBO, the Bikol word for convergence, is the name of this year’s celebration of National Arts Month in Kabikolan. Writers, visual artists, performers, and film makers have converged to celebrate February as Arts month in the cities of Naga, Iriga, Legazpi, and Tabaco. “Malikhain. Mapagbago. Filipino” is this year’s theme as set by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). The first Biladawit in the Rinconada language, a poetry-performance competition for students on the theme “Onra ka Raga” (Pride of Place) was held in Anthosia Rinconada Café last Feb. 12. The month-long “Wild about Flowers” painting exhibit of Bernadette de los Santos is on-going at the Ayala Mall in Legazpi City. “Apulas: Rinconada for Rinconada Artists” featuring Balderas, bidibidi, Osacnab and Peñones may be viewed from Feb. 19 to 23 at SM City Naga. “Kawat,” an ekphrastic activity with poets writing rawitdawit on selected paintings by the Salingoy Art Group, was also held from Feb. 15-17 at the Ateneo de Naga University (AdNU). Jointly sponsored by the Ateneo Visual Arts Committee headed by Dennis Gonzaga, and Salingoy, the activity will be brought to the general public together with an on-the-spot painting activity on Feb. 18 at the Plaza Quince Martires. The AdNU Press will also be selling Bikol books at the plaza on that day. Dain Linaw an Hinaw by Marissa Reorizo Redburn and Girok: Erotika will be launched by Kabulig Bikol, Inc., an organization of Bikol writers, on Feb. 18 and Feb. 25, at The Cheesecake Company on Magsaysay Ave. in Naga City. Sining Banwa will perform during the launch of Hinaw while Vic Nierva’s short film “Sayaw sa Butal” will open the book launch of Girok, when songs and poems will also be performed. Kristian Cordero’s sophomore indie film “Hinulid” starring Nora Aunor and local actors, will be featured at the Bichara Theater on Feb. 18-19. “Dalan,” a revue of selected Bikol short films will also be held at Plaza Rizal from 5-8 p.m. on Feb. 26, sponsored by the Ateneo Literary Association (ALA). Meanwhile, the Raul S. Roco Library in Naga will host HE(ARTS) FOR READING, a storytelling, puppet show, and film showing for elementary school pupils. In Tabaco City, Kirtan meditation, original Bikol music, poetry, and a short play will mark Arts Month on Feb. 25 through the efforts of An Banwa: Kultura buda Arte kan Tabaco (ABKAT) and Haribol Jam. Wrapping it all up will be a lecture and poetry reading on the Pantomina dance form at the AdNU on Feb. 28. Individual artists and arts groups coordinated with the NCCA and the Naga City LGU through the Arts Culture and Tourism Office (ACTO) to provide support for TAGBO. Doods M. Santos