Wood artisans from Guagua town's Betis District are hoping to raise funds to help in the annual celebration of the Dukit Festival.
The event and other programs are expected to help promote and develop the wood carving tradition in Pampanga.
On Monday, March 24, some15 artists from the town opened their 16-day exhibit at the Manila Cathedral.
The exhibit -- “Sacred Arts of Betis” -- organized by the Dukit Heritage Foundation Inc. (BDHFI) and the Manduquit Anluagi ning Santa Ursula (MASU) will run until April 8.
Proceeds in the event will be used to fund the annual woodcarving competition and the cultural celebrations attached with the festival.
BDHFI treasurer Ester Beltran said the celebration is led by the St. James the Apostle Parish in Betis since December 2012.
Willy Layug, a renowned woodcarver and Presidential Merit Awardee for Ecclesiastical Art, said that the woodcarving industry in Guagua employs dozens of workers.
He however lamented that a few younger people are entering the trade.
Layug said he hopes that the exhibit and the festival would promote the industry and entice more youth to go into woodcarving.
Participating artists and their works include Alberto I. Pangilinan (Jesus), Jeffrey Rubio (Pagtanggap sa Krus), Rhen Layug (Matthew 11:22-33), Russel Pangilinan (Sentesiado), Edwin Layug ( Ecce Homo), Nicolas “Nick” Lugue (Jesus Cautivo), Francisco G. Sibug (Resurrection), Alexander Bisda (Sto. Niño), Rozaldo Franche (Mother Teresa and Child), Luisito S. Cayanan (Cristo Rey, Creation of Man), Harold G. Aguilar (Dolor), JimWel Pinlac (Dolor), Gaspar Sibug (La Pieta), Ardie De Dios (Dolorosa, Kristo) and Willy T. Layug (Salvator Mundi).
The prices of their works range from P110,000 to P600,000.
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, who was born and raised in Betis; Monsignor Rolando de la Cruz, rector of the Manila Cathedral; and Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral of the Department of Public Works and Highways led the inauguration of the exhibit at the Blessed Souls Chapel.
De la Cruz said the Manila Cathedral is honored to host the exhibit.
He added that supporting the Dukit Festival will "lead to the worship of the Divine.”