DAR sponsors art exhibit

By Joey Co
Bicol Mail

SALINGOY ART GROUP. Standing, l-r are Nitoy Peñera, Warren Balane, Rommel Perez, Wilson Belarmino, Pancho Piano, Harold Gomez, Peboi Selleza, Louy Perida, Richard Perez, Boyet Abrenica. Seated, l-r are Cris Gomez, Lea Uvas, Lomie Daliva, Jing Sta. Maria, Dar Encinas and Hermel Alejandre. Not in the photo is Anne Daliva, Dan Calisura and Bobi Rayala.

THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) will hold the blessing and inauguration of its provincial office for Camarines Sur A and the opening of the Art Exhibit on June 25, 2012 at the newly constructed four-story building at the corner of Diversion Road and Almeda Highway, Naga City.

Camarines Sur A covers districts I, II, & V whereas Camarines Sur B operates in districts III & IV respectively. On the said occasion, the DAR has invited its partner agencies in CARPER implementation, mayors, farmer leaders and NGO leaders, media organizations, and other stakeholders.

The DAR Art Exhibit will be participated in by prominent Bicolano painters Raul Alcomendas, Pancho Piano,  and  artist-painters of the Salingoy Art Group. The Art Exhibit dubbed  “Gusi, Sup-ay, Uswag” (Harvest, Bountiful, and Progress)  is open to the public from June 25 to July 2, 2012. Also joining with their paintings are artist Elmer Oliva who is based in Metro-Manila, and renowned lawyer Gualberto “Bentoy” Manlangit.

The art exhibit will feature paintings on and rendition of bountiful harvests, rural scenes, local fruits, vegetables, and flowers, scenic landscapes, among others. The art exhibit is in consonance with one of the main objectives of agrarian reform which is enhancing agricultural productivity by providing land to the farmer-tillers and the needed support in farming.

DAR Regional Director Atty.Maria Celestina Manlangit-Tam said, “Through the paintings, the public will glean and have a glimpse on how agrarian reform and rural development brings about equality in terms of opportunities, income as well as wealth in the countryside.”

Salingoy in Bicol means to look back. Salingoy Art Group was formed on Dec. 30, 2000 at the now defunct Bicol Arts Gallery with Pancho Piano as president and Rommel Perez as vice president, respectively. The other members are Boyet Abrenica, Jeffrey Agorita, Hermel Alehandre, Wilson Belarmino, Dan Calisura, Anne Daliva, Lomie Daliva, Dar Encinas, Fernando Flores, Harold Gomez, Maricris Gomez, Juanito Peñera, Richard Perez,  Bobi Rayala, Peboi Selleza, Jing Sta. Maria, and Fr. A. Bancaso Jr.

After 11 years, Salingoy Art Group emerges with renewed vigor with its members bounded together for a common vision for distinction in the visual art scene and to represent Naga City as a dynamic exponent of the visual arts in the Bicol Region and beyond.

The Salingoy Art Group’s gallery is located at Naga City Art Gallery inside the Naga Sports Coliseum where members also regularly conduct art fora and painting workshops. It is supported by the Naga City Government through the auspices of  Mayor John Bongat and Vice Mayor Gabby Bordado.

The art exhibit enhances DAR’s celebration in June of the CARPER (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reform) anniversary nationwide.  DAR Bicol will also hold a Sportsfest on June 27-29, 2012 to be participated by the various teams coming from the DAR Provincial offices of Cam Norte, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Cam Sur.

DAR Cam Sur A & B will host the Sportsfest which will kick off with a motorcade and an opening program at the Naga Sports Coliseum on June 27, 2012. On the opening day, volleyball will be played between the teams from Camarines Sur and DAR  Regional office, while a basketball exhibition game will be played by teams from DAR and DENR at the Naga Coliseum. Subsequent games will be held at the Naga City Civic Center.