THE annual Mudpack Festival every June is literally a “muddy” gathering of artists and nature lovers at Mambukal Resort in Brgy. Minoyan Murcia.
Mudpack’s “madness about mud” can never be more emphasized in this festival as revelers young and old alike generously paint their faces and bodies with Mambukal’s distinct multi-colored clay which come in gray, red, orange, grayish yellow and black.
The mud or clay, abundant in Mambukal, is considered to have therapeutic effect on the skin.
The two-day Mudpack Festival centers on the harmony of man and nature to stir people’s awareness of the importance of environment.
This unique celebration is in itself a festival of arts for being an avenue for artists from all over Negros Island, with some coming from other parts of the country, to gather and exhibit their respective artistic talents in ethnic dances, crafts and music.
As it turns 18, this year’s Mudpack will be held on June 21-22 (Saturday and Sunday), with the theme “Saving, Healing and Celebrating Mother Earth.”
Contests
Registration for various art competitions is ongoing at the Mambukal Reservation Office at the Provincial Capitol Building.
Poster-making competition is open to children 12 years and below. The competition will start at 8 a.m. on June 21 at the Mambukal Convention Hall.
There will be two categories for the photo competition: (1) the pre-Mudpack, which will cover the different sites and attractions of Mambukal; and (2) Mudpack Festival, which will cover the shots taken during the festival.
The photos will be displayed at the Mambukal Convention Hall and will be judged during the festival.
The drumbeating, tribal dance and mixed media art competitions will also be held on June 21.
The drumbeating and tribal competition entries shall have 10 to 15 members. The body of the performing group must be covered with Mambukal clay or any organic materials.
For the mixed media art competition, contestants will be provided with a canvas but are required to bring everything else. Their artworks should incorporate Mambukal clay.
Meanwhile, the installation art, solo dance and clay body-painting competitions will be held on June 22.
For the installation art, contestants may be solo or group with a maximum of five members to include the visual and performing artists and crew.
For the solo dance, contestants should prepare a three-minute dance piece. For the clay body painting, an entry shall be composed of a model and a visual artist or a group of visual artists.
Deadline for registration will be today, June 6. Screening of entries for solo and tribal dance will be held on June 14 at 1 p.m. at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol Building.
For inquiries regarding the criteria and prizes for the competitions, visit or call Mambukal Reservation Office, telephone number (034)473-0610 or (034) 709-0990. (With reports from Rudy Reveche)