A first of its kind festival called “Artes de Pascua” was held recently as part of the Christmas celebration here and in line with the city’s arts and cultural awareness program.

Initiated jointly the city government headed by Mayor Eva Marie Singson–Medina and the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, the week-long festival consisted of workshops and seminars attended by children, students, out-of-school youth, teachers and professionals.

Culminating last Saturday with the presentation of works by participants, the activity was held on Calle Crisologo, location of the famous century-old Spanish houses that earned the acclamation for Vigan as one of the world’s heritage cities.

Artes de Pascua Festival in Vigan

Medina said the unique and attractive arts festival was designed to discover and improve the hidden talents of Begenos (natives of Vigan).

“This art festival brought another opportunity for the Biguenos to develop and improve their talents in acting, dancing, photography, videography and other forms of arts,” she said.

Eric B. Zerrudo, Metropolitan Museum of Manila Director, said the workshops and seminars sought to develop the talent and creativity of the Biguenos in the various kinds of arts.

“I am very glad that Vigan residents have unique talents as they were able to easily follow our subjects during the workshops and actual applications of our art technologies,” he said.

Among those taken up in the festival were children’s theater workshop, improvisational theater workshop, dance techniques and improvisation workshop, heritage conservation seminar, basic video production, basic beaded accessory design, basic hand-painted shirt and bag design, caricature portrait workshop, photography workshop, craft workshop: scenography, stage design, costume and props workshop, creative writing workshop, writing the funny essay; touch the artist’s vision; and head dress design.

Zerrudo said all the material used in the arts workshop and presentation were purely indigenous.(PNA)