“I wear my tie (referring to his G-string) on very important occasions,” said National Artist for Film, Kidlat Tahimik during the opening program of the “Haraya” art exhibit of the Balay Sofia Waldorf School Community at the Baguio Museum.
“Culture is a very important part of education. From our unique culture comes our strength. Hayaan ang mga bata maglaro, dito lumalabas ang creativity nila,” he said.
Kidlat even recalled how his Ifugao mentor, Lopes Na-uyac, coined the term “indigenius,” later on changed to indiogenius by Kidlat. Nauyac’s indigenius term refers to the knowledge of the country’s indigenous communities.
Marge DC Gomez, one of the teachers of Balay Sofia, who is an artist herself said “it took almost nine months to produce this first time art exhibit. Lahat ng art works since July 2023 hanggang March ngayong taon ay inipon po para magawang collage. Pinili ng mga teacher yung best works during the school year. Yung sa mga adults naman, as early as October 2023 , nag announce na po kami na magkakaroon ng community exhibit.”
The exhibit at the Baguio Museum will be from May 1 to 30.
The Haraya exhibit was participated in by grades 1 to 9 called classes and identified with Cordillera instruments: Class 1 – solibao, Class 2 – kulipao, Class 3 – gangsa, Class 4 – pakipak, Class 5 – tongali, Class 7 – kullitong and Classes 8 and 9 – tongatong.
This was a good way of familiarizing students with the salient names of Cordillera instruments. The contributors also included teachers Angelico Aguilar, Jom Penaflor, Kate Ngipol, Kierwin Mondina, Pam Ngayodan, and Sharmaine de Guzman.
Parents and relatives of the students shared their works as well.
Haraya is a Filipino word which means imagination or vision. According to the web, the alternate spelling is “hiraya” which means a “dream “ or the ability to create or envision things in one’s mind, often relating to aspirations, hopes, or desires.
“Hiraya Manawari is an ancient Tagalog phrase and is asynonym to “sana” while Manawari means “mangyari”. There is new version nowadays, “sana all” meaning” I wish all” or “I hope everyone…”
Marie Venus Quinto Tan, former Chief Operating Officer of the Tourism Promotions Board and co-chair of the Baguio Creative Council evoked memories of her stint in Germany where children and toddlers are brought to museums early to appreciate arts.
She also mentioned the Philippine Creative Industry Act and helped catapult Baguio into a Unesco Creative City of Crafts and Folk Arts
The worldwide Steiner-Waldorf philosophy of creating a happier, healthier and more beautiful world with roots in Germany was started by Austrian scientist and thinker Rudolf Steiner.
Balay Sofia follows the Steiner-Waldorf education system. It has an integrated curriculum of developing head (thinking), heart (feeling) and hands (doing).
For his contribution to the opening, Kidlat Tahimik had a special indie film showing. – Stella Maria L. de Guia
