1st TubodFest opens at Ayala Center Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - The first-ever TubodFest formally opened at the Terraces in Ayala Center Cebu yesterday. Celebrating “Cebuano Art, Design + Culture,” this first of its kind festival is derived from the Cebuano term “tubod” that means spring, and fittingly so, TubodFest has been envisioned as a wellspring of inspiration and ideas as well as a catalyst for cooperation among the homegrown creative practitioners.

According to one of the organizers, award-winning designer Gil Carungay, 10 creative sectors have been identified, and each of which will have a space that will exhibit the best of their particular field and discipline.

Carungay said, “TubodFest is designed to be a democratic and interactive multi-sensory experience wherein the visitors are not mere spectators but are encouraged to be active participants as well. There will be art and doodle walls, poetry readings, movie screenings, jamming sessions and other activities to involve the public.”

TubodFest is the first-ever major project of the Creative Cebu Nexus (C2N) which is affiliated with the British Council’s Creative Cities program. Last year, the Creative Cities program in Southeast Asia was launched in Bandung, Indonesia, which is making a name for itself as a music and design hub teeming with artists. When the program was decided to be undertaken also in the Philippines, one of the selected representatives to the Bandung event—Islands group main man Jay Aldeguer—pushed for Cebu to be the main venue because of its long-standing creative and artistic synergy that is also known globally. There’s furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue, fashion accessories designer Gil Carugay (Avatar), fashion designer Monique Lhuillier, et cetera.

TubodFest officially opened yesterday with performances starting at 11am and will culminate tonight with screenings at the grassy area close the Marriott. The exhibits will continue in the Terraces until Friday, March 13, 2009. There is no admission charge and this event is open to the public.

Catch the rest of the performances today at Ayala Center Cebu—San Diego Dance Troupe at 3-4pm (Onstage); Ballet Center Cebu at 4-4:30pm (Onstage); Poetry Reading and Performance Art at 4:30-5pm (Gallery); Ballroom Dancing/Magun-Z Performing Arts Society at 5-5:30pm (Onstage); UC Dance Troupe cultural dance under Victor Cuenco at 5:45-6:15pm (Onstage); Excerpts of Siddharta at 6:30-7:30pm (Onstage); Fire Dance, Magun-Z Performing Society, Arnis/Eskrima, Yaw Yan Temple, Kickboxing Demonstration, Supreme Grandmaster Julio Villaflores at 6:30-7:30pm (Open Lawn); Cebuano Documentaries and Commercials at 7:30-8pm (Open Lawn); Mac Performance with Nico Devroe at 7:30-8pm (Onstage); “Confessional” screening at 8-9pm (Open Lawn); Cattski at 8-8:30pm (Onstage); Noise Session by Chris Murillo at 8:30-9pm (Onstage); and Missing Filemon at 9-9:30pm (Onstage).

TubodFest is in cooperation with the British Council Philippines and is presented by Ayala Center Cebu and the Department of Trade & Industry.