Staff Reporter
LAOAG
CITY—Taking pride in its home-grown artists, the Provincial Government of
Ilocos Norte honored on February 3, 2020 its growing number of creative artists
as they showcased their genuine crafts and unique masterpiece at the “Open
Capitol”, an annual event which is one of the highlights of the 202nd
foundation anniversary of the province.
Featuring at
least 20 Ilokano visual artists who joined the creative festivity, each of them
shared their inner passion for beauty while inspiring others to reach out for
their dreams and aspirations too. Among them are Dindo Llana, James Michael
Romaguera, Grae Sales from the hometown of famous Ilocano painter Juan Luna in
Badoc, Angelie Maranan Banaag of Dingras, John Mark Pasion, Miguel Kairuz,
Janer Santos and Kim Santos of Laoag.
Other Ilokano
artists were also invited to share their expertise in visual arts, events
industry, social media influence, painting, graphic design, film, and tattoo.
Meanwhile,
other Ilokano professionals like architects Felino Palafox Jr., Rex Hofilena,
Miguel Guerrero, William Ti, and Engr. Pedro Agcaoili also discussed master-planning
in Ilocos Norte, while Prof. Norma Respicio talked on the inabel
industry.
“Everything is
anchored on Ilokano creativity. We are calling this year’s ‘Open Capitol’ as
‘Ilokano Creatives Fest’, featuring Ilokano creativity by our weavers, our
heritage artisans including our media artists. At the same time, we are
showcasing the best practices of the Provincial Capitol,” provincial tourism officer
Aianree Raquel said.
Then Ilocos Norte
Governor and now Senator Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos initiated the “Open
Capitol, which her son, incumbent Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc
has continued.
Unlike last
year which featured Ilocos children visiting the various offices of the provincial
government—their services and programs being offered and how it runs as an
organization led by the governor, vice governor, provincial board members and
the department heads and staff among others, this year’s celebration invited
Ilokano creative artists who shared their expertise to the audience mostly
composed of students from the different schools of the province.
In his short
speech, Mr. Manotoc has lauded the efforts of people behind the creatives’ fest
particularly the Provincial Tourism Office and the other departments of the
Capitol which likewise presented their programs and services to the public.
“I would like
to commend the efforts of those who prepared it. This has been a tradition to
open up the Capitol for added transparency and awareness,” said Mr. Manotoc as
he led visitors to the different exhibits located both at the ground and second
floors of the historic Ilocos Norte Capitol building.
Aside from the
creatives’ fest, the 21 towns and 2 cities of Ilocos Norte likewise displayed
their unique products for sale to visitors.
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