A SERIES of art workshops kicked off as part of the International Arts Festival at Tam-awan village in Baguio City.
Over 200 participants joined the weekend workshops for nine categories.
The facilitators included Roland Bay-an, Norman Chow, Patric Palasi, Saudi Ahmad, Ged Alangui, Jordan Mang-osan, Joey de Castro, the Baguio Amplified Hip Hop group, Benny Sokong, Jerry Respeto, Alma Quinto and Annie Bungauen.
The weekend workshop was free for participants.
Chanum Foundation President Jordan Mangosan said the success of the festival relied solely on benefactors who believe in the arts.
The Tam -awan International Arts Festival (TIAF) is themed "Preserving the Gift of Faith," with activities that include exhibits, workshops, film viewings, theater and crafts.
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) chairman Vilma Labrador and Father Harold Rentoria head the subcommittee on Heritage of the NCCA.
Workshops include watercolor, coffee and acrylic painting, art as healing, pottery, hip hop dance, creative writing, Cordilleran music and theater arts.
A grand parade will celebrate the festival at the city's main roads in time for the opening canao at Baguio Convention Center, where the remaining days of the one week festival will be held.
An art market, art shows, literature and theater activities with a junk art fashion show will also be held at the BCC.
Mangosan said the festival aims to preserve the gift of arts and heritage by celebrating their aesthetics, practice and impacts to society and to advocate for the remaining material heritage of Baguio City.
The TIAF will also serve as a venue for the awareness, appreciation and practice of different art fields, their history, as well as new forms and trends. (Maria Elena Catajan)