(Third of three parts)
CONGRATULATIONS to the awardees and winners of the recently concluded Ibagiw Festival! Truly amazing people who inspire and whom we should emulate!
The Ibagiw Awardees for excellence in Art and Culture are National Artists Ben Cabrera (Visual artist) and Kidlat Tahimik (Film); couple for cultural work and performing arts Damaso Bangaoet (Father of the Panagbenga Festival) and Laurel “Bing” Bangaoet (former head for the SLU Center for Culture and Arts); Easter Weaving Room (Living Traditions), and Pilak (Silvercraft).
For Re-imagining Baguio: The Film Competition, the winners are Best Screenplay: Daniel Edwin Delgado, Tiara Angelina Nicolas for “Death Wish”; Best Cinematography: Tiara Angelina Nicolas and Marc Julius Mendoza for “Banbantay”; Best Actor: Giulienne Sanchez for “Siyudad na may Kaluluwa”; Best Director: Gelo Lagasca for “Siyudad na may Kaluluwa”; and Best Film: Siyudad na may Kaluluwa.
For Basketry: 1st “Tuper” (Treasure Box) by Rovie and Romeo Mayat-an, 2nd “Hucop” by Jason Domling, and 3rd “Ychage” by Randy Gawwi. For Metalcraft: 1st “Whayyu Beauty” by Tara Lalaine Natividad, Danilo Berdal, Luisa Galang, Joseph Sneed and Joshua Marinas, 2nd “Hiwaga” by Pamela Balionga LeFeber, and 3rd “Mirasol” by Pilak Handicrafts. For Wood Carving: 1st “Single Parent” by Clinton Aniversario, 2nd “Wagah Maknongan” by Alex Ognayon, and 3rd “Backstrap Weaver” by Christopher Atiwon. For Weaving: 1st “Odon ya Kapya” by Divina Calingayan and Benita Balangto, 2nd “Kinadangyan” by John Rae Guimbungan, Maria Kinggingan, and 3rd “Inammata” by Carina Amsiwen.
The judges for the various competitions were BACCI president Adelaida Lim, National Artist Ben Cabrera, First Lady of Baguio Arlene Magalong, councilors Vladimir Cayabas and Elaine Sembrano, Engr. Alec Mapalo of the DOT, artists Bumbo Villanueva and Peter Pinder, HABI member and textile consultant Gail Zialcita.
Congratulations to the staff as well! Creative director: Karlo Marko Altomonte, production manager: RL Altomonte, stage managers: Eunice Caburao, Mai Sarmiento, and Joselito Balleta, assistant stage managers: Angela Coleen Salva, Christyne Gengos, Angel Villanueva, and yours truly, production assistant: Joel Sevilla and Jairus Catingub; consultant UP Chancellor Raymundo Rovillos, BACCI president Adelaida Lim and executive committee members Rommel Marcelo, Carl Taawan and Maricar Docyogen, Board Member Venus Navalta, and volunteer Dana Mercado.
Special thanks to Mayor Benjamin Magalong, PTB Marie Venus Tan, DOT Jovi Ganongan and Engr. Alec Mapalo, City Budget Officer Leticia Clemente, to all the sponsors, participants, performers, groups, organizations, and to individuals who have walked an extra mile to make this possible. Cheers!