GUAGUA Mayor Dante Torres led the 12th Dukit Festival in line with the 428th Aldo Ning Balen Guagua celebration over the weekend.
The event aimed to promote the woodcarving industry among the younger generation and the woodcarving industry in Guagua as a tourism destination, said Torres.
The event also highlighted the best woodcarving products of the town, from ecclesiastical and religious art to furniture and art accents.
"This event showed the ingenuity of Betis woodcarvers, the traditions that are passed on from generation to generation, and the dilemma of holding on to the tradition in the age of mechanical reproduction and modern technology," Torres added.
In the previous celebrations, the Dukit Festival was held in Barangay Sta. Ursula Betis and was participated by best woodcarvers of the district.
Wood carvers from the Wood Carvers Guild of Sta. Ursula Betis and the Woodcarvers of Betis Multipurpose Cooperative are expected to participate.
Known wood carver and Presidential Merit Awardee for Ecclesiastical Art Willy Layug said woodcarving has become a major industry in Guagua, generating millions each year.
But Layug lamented that fewer younger people are going into the trade, adding there is also less attention toward the continuing education of woodcarvers as artists rather than mere craftsmen.
"The event hopes to highlight the creative and artistic aspect of the craft and attract more people into this art form. We also hope to bring woodcarving here into a whole new level and bring more attention towards education and improvement of skills of woodcarvers and attract tourists and buyers," Layug said.
Guagua's Betis District is known for its woodcarving industry that has grown from furniture, religious and installation art.