Photo by CNU intern Camille Erika Butas
Photo by CNU intern Camille Erika Butas
THE first-ever “Pagsidlak sa Sugbuanong Alampat, Cebu City Arts Month Celebration” was officially launched on Thursday, August 3, 2023, to celebrate the richness and diversity of Cebuano arts and culture.
With a theme, “ANI (Harvest),” the month-long celebration has a diverse line-up of events and activities that aim to explore and unleash the boundless talents and creativity of local artists, musicians, dancers, and performers.
During the grand launching, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia signed a resolution designating August as Cebu City Arts Month.
Garcia said this month is the time to further promote local artists and give them recognition for bringing pride and honor to the city.
“We are also proud to boast that our local artists have proven themselves not only in the national, but also in the international stage as well. They have proven time and time again that Cebu hosts world-class artists,” he said.
Following the signing of the resolution was the ceremonial opening of the Cebu City Arts Month, headed by Rama and Garcia, along with the president of the Arts Council of the Cebu Foundation, Dr. Vivina Chiu-Yrastorza, Joy Pesquera of the Cebu City Tourism Commission, and seven representatives of Cebu’s artistic forms.
Chiu-Yrastorza said this celebration will boost the rich artistic heritage of the city and pave the way for a progressive community.
“This is one way of moving forward in a progressive Cebu City. Let us move forward with the vision to make Cebu City a place to lead and a place to visit,” she said.
Also highlighted during the launching were the performances of Knapsack Dancers, Kansugbo Dance Fusion, Cebu City Dancesports Team, a song by Zenith Rivera and Windy Prado Avedano, a balak by Francis Matahum, and a presentation of stylized ternos by Malayka Yamas worn by winners of Miss Cebu 2023.
The event was capped off with the performance of “Sinulog sa Sugbo” by the award-winning Lumad Basakanon. (Camille Erika Butas, CNU Intern)
