Know the 'Cradle of Philippine Arts' through Binangonan Arts Festival

Art exhibits have gained traction in recent years in the Philippines. In a way, the coronavirus pandemic is instrumental in helping unleash and reinforce the artistic sides of many aspiring artists across the country by spending most of their days at home killing boredom by pursuing artistic passions. More young people are taking a strong interest in arts, feeling a great sense of fulfillment in the craft that goes beyond its commodification and the superficiality of monetary rewards.

The Rizal province, known as the Cradle of Philippine Arts and the popular Higantes Festival, takes center stage this October through its month-long celebration of the Binangonan Arts Festival, which will put to the spotlight the rich culture of the first-class municipality of Binangonan through various mediums of art.

Parika Kalye Sining: The artists behind the arts festival

Art has often been branded as elitist and intellectually inaccessible. While it may somewhat sound like a glittering generality, it's a valid perception, and the facades and interiors of art museums and the mere existence of art auctions somehow corroborate this elitism claim. With this being said, the organizers behind Parika Kalye Sining wanted to take art to the streets, at no cost, with and for the masses.

Parika Kalye Sining's organizers are proficient and experts in their respective crafts, adding legitimacy and credibility to the arts festival. Artistic director James Harvey Estrada is a multi-talented artist who works as a filmmaker, screenwriter, and international theater director. Company manager Jenny Lyn Villegas currently works as a freelance theater actress and events and production practitioner. She also appeared in various films, and was the production manager of Ricky Lee’s Para Kay B.

Visual arts head Gio Anthony Ojeda is a full-time artist and local art advocate practicing a variety of art mediums, such as graphic design, painting, tattoos, and murals. Literary arts head David Joshua Magno is a journalism graduate and the founder of Agos Photofilms. He works as a writer, photographer, and cultural worker.

Head of performing arts for music Jhon Lanreb Claudio, meanwhile, is an advertising graduate who works as a full-time illustrator and musician. Juan Martin Chulvo, a proud LGBTQIA+ member who identifies as transgender, is the Secretary-General and head of volunteers of the group. Finally, Aileen Sto. Domingo, is a Parika artist who works as a Master teacher II at an elementary school in Binangonan. She is also a writer of children’s stories, including Ang Higante and Ang Sumbrero ni Sam. 

Parika Kalye Sining: Inception and launching

"Parika Kalye Sining" was inaugurated this year to gather local artists and create timely, relevant, honest, and nationalistic arts, as well as advocate a safe space for artists to promote their craft.

Prior to its inception, the organizers first consulted with various cultural experts to ensure the success of the monumental arts project. They then pitched the idea of administering a townwide arts celebration to the town mayor and the Local government Unit (LGU) along with the local cultural researcher, with the intent of gathering artists to participate not just within the Binangonan community but the whole of Rizal province.

Organizers also had the chance to speak with poet and sculptor Tata Raul Funilas, one of Binangonan’s renowned artists.

An invitation for artists and arts enthusiasts

"Parika," a colloquial Binangonan term for "halika" which means “come here,” the organizers thus encourage local artists and art enthusiasts anywhere in the country to participate and echo their advocacy of exemplifying Filipino artistry in various mediums, such as folk art, visual art, literary art, performing art, and live music or rakrakan, and altogether promote the craft as a unifying channel for free expression. 

"Kalye," which literally means "street," the organization strongly believes that "art spaces should not be limited to museums, theaters, and concert halls," and takes "the streets and public open spaces as a free space for artistic endeavors for the masses."

Parika Kalye Sining: Art in all its forms

While it officially starts monthlong this October, Parika Kayle Sining’s activities were inaugurated in September under "Parika Likhaan," which comprises a series of interdisciplinary art seminars and workshops for artists. The following are its core events divided into their corresponding art categories.

A. Parika Rakrakan

Music is also an artistic endeavor. The grandest arts event in Binangonan features "Parika Rakrakan 2.0" to support local musicians by giving them a platform to perform live music with their fellow Binangonanians as their audience. Live bands that will perform include, Stoner Mary, Azsalbahe, Story of Fools, ANNV, Rising Upon Sunset, Morrigan PH, Kultura, Audio 5, Backmask, Sutil, NBN, Roux Anubis, and Head Trip.

B. Parika Tulaan

In celebration of Buwan ng Wika or National Language Month, Parika Tulaan was conducted to exhibit Binangonan talents in literary arts. At this event, several artists and poets from the town performed their literary pieces with passion and purpose. Among the artists who graced the event are the org's literary arts head, along with Parsua, Edbert Darwin Casten, and Jon Granale. Moreover, adding more enthusiasm to the crowd is Jetpack JB and Just Kidding who performed their music live for the audience to enjoy. 

C. Parika Arte

Theater arts performances among exceptionally talented actors were held at Granny's Cafe Kitchen. Dulaan thespians performed characterizations that stupendously showcased their talent in theater arts. Among the actors were James Harvey Estrada, Rushelle De Quiros-Laurio, Jenny Lyn Villegas, Adrian Soriano Jr., Jahmai Althea Maulit, JM Salvado, and Geona Angelo Garbo, among many others.

D. Parika Edukasyon

This part of the arts festival presents workshops and art seminars for children and aspiring artists. There were storytelling and painting sessions, discussions about Binangonan History and Culture, Parika Komiks, and Street Art, complete with a live jamming event as part of the Parika Binangonan Music Festival.

E. Parika Lunsad

Parika Lunsad will open the streets for bands, artists, and musicians to perform in front of their excited kababayans. Parika Fashion Show will also be held in the village of Lunsad as a way to help, advertise, and advocate for MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) by way of Binangonan ladies and gentlemen sporting MSME products and apparels.

F. Parika Sine

Film is a visual art form with the expert use of moving images to create a stunning motion picture. With a film director in the organization's midst, Parika Sine was conceived as a part of the arts festival to provide an avenue for local filmmakers to show what they got in the filmmaking field. Parika Sine is thus a way to promote local filmmakers and introduce them to the public consciousness.

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