DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 2 Oct) — Local artists from various fields in Davao City continue to grapple with challenges related to funding, marketing, and recognition of their crafts. During a culture, arts, and heritage summit held at the Holy Cross of Davao College—the first in 30 years—musical, dance, film, and visual artists shared their struggles, including financial constraints, insufficient government support, and lack of community acknowledgment. The summit, organized by the newly established Office for Culture and the Arts (OCA) to celebrate Philippine Creative Industry Month, aimed to assess the state of the local arts sector. Folk musician Joey Ayala highlighted the difficulties in financing musical instruments due to poor marketing amidst the dominance of pop music. Similarly, singer Praise Varian lamented the lack of platforms for local artists to gain exposure. Choreographers, represented by Koryo Dabaw vice president Pipoy Magpatok, emphasized the need for recognition to institutionalize dance groups and promote cultural awareness. Filmmaker Franky Arrocena pointed out the fragmentation among local filmmakers, hindering the industry’s centralization and collaboration. Visual artists, including gallerist Wilfred Dexter Taneda and painter Addai Joaquin, called for greater community and government support to foster appreciation for their work. OCA head Oscar Casaysay pledged to address these concerns through future programs. (Daniel Jamito / MindaNews)
