Samtoy Books brings first Origami fest in Ilocos Norte

By Grazielle Mae A. Sales

PGIN-CMO

Cartoon characters, miniature animals and 3D skeletal dinosaurs are among the attractions in the first ever major event in Ilocos Norte dedicated to highlight the ancient Japanese art of paper folding.

The Origami Festival, hosted by the Ilocano bookstore, Samtoy Books, and which ran from October 17 to 19 here in Laoag City tapped artists all the way from the Manila-based Origami Pilipinas and is now set to showcase both the traditional and functional form of paper art.

The workshops at La Tabacalera Lifestyle Center ranged from beginning models for the origami novice, to advanced models that aim to enhance the skills of even experienced ‘folders’. Featured is a variety of different folds for people of all experience levels including animals, geometric forms and moveable origami.

Several origami installations which show the innovation of the art are as well exhibited at the Ilocos Norte Capitol auditorium.

Origami Pilipinas was founded and now managed by Isabela-born Leo R. Natividad in 2012. Consisting of ‘folders’ from all over the country, the group has already showcased their artworks through international exhibits and in a television show which pertain to contemporary origami’s potential in livelihood.

Aside from conducting workshop and exhibits, the group also does an outreach program, specifically a learning activity for the out-of-school youth through origami.

A former SPED teacher, Natividad said that his interest for origami started when he found its importance in art therapy and learning.

“Origami has numerous potentials. First, health wise, it is therapeutic. At the same time, it is a perfect instructional material for teachers. And of course, business wise, they are internationally eyeing for this [origami] especially in Europe,” Natividad said. 

The group’s first ever provincial tour, Natividad said that they are leading the said festival to raise “awareness” and convey to Filipinos that there is more to origami than paper folding.

The opening ceremony was attended by representatives from the Department of Education Division of Laoag with superintendent Aracelli Pastor as the guest speaker.

A total of 705 tickets were distributed with the aid of the participating schools and universities which took interest on the exhibit while 34 workshop slots were availed.

Samtoy Books, a cozy bookstore where you can get Ilocano classics is being supported by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte. With its name derived from the Iluko word “samtoy”, a contraction of “sao mi ditoy” (our language here), it provides an avenue to strengthen Ilocano culture, arts and literature.

Offering a wide range of books, including Filipiniana, scholarly, literature, children’s books, materials from the University of the Philippines Press, it also has a section dedicated to the Marcos family from the Ferdinand E. Marcos Presidential Center. Store hours are from Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos lauded the said event since it is in line with her advocacy towards innovation and further development through arts.