Mugna Bisaya: A showcase of Cebuano talent

CEBU, Philippines - Cebuano artistry will take center stage in a weeklong event that aims to promote and pay tribute to our very own talent and masters of their crafts via “Mugna Bisaya: Ang Pagtagum sa Alampat ug Kulturang Binisaya” (the appreciation of arts and Bisaya culture).

 Presented by SM Seaside City Cebu, Goldmine Residences and Motion Picture Society of Cebu, “Mugna Bisaya” will open today with an awarding and variety show, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at the SM Seaside City Cebu Centerstage.

 The Mugna Bisaya Performing Arts Awardees and performers this afternoon include “Tubig at Langis” star Dionne Monsanto, Gil Francis Maningo, Matt Daclan, Niño James Banares and Ligaya Rabago. There will also be special performances from the Cebu Normal University Children and Youth Choir and the University of the Philippines Students’ Theater Arts Guild for Education (UPSTAGE).

 After the awarding, a visual arts exhibit at the City Wing Atrium of SM Seaside will be officially opened to the public. The exhibit, which will run until September 24, will display artworks by Dante Javelosa Solon and Siegfredo Rosales Galan, gowns by Alejandro Godinez Jr. and Salvador Malto, caricature paintings by Maningo and furniture by Heritage Muebles Mirabile Export. Talents from Sto. Niño Mactan Montessori School will also grace exhibit’s opening.

 Still happening today right after the awarding and exhibit opening is the first night of the Binisaya Film Festival (BFF), 6 p.m. at the SM Seaside Centerstage.

BFF will open with the short film “Lunch Box” by award-winning Cebuano director Remton Siega Zuasola and will close (on September 24) with the film “Superpsycho Cebu” by Cebuano director Christian Linaban.

 Bisaya short films in competition include “Lola” by Roberth Fuentes of Bantayan, “One Day Isang Diwa” by Nickle John Lim of Davao City, “Get Certified” by Isaias Herrera Zantua of Cebu City, “Hinagunoy sa Goryon” by Karl Derick Sia of Cebu City, “Ambihas” by Jaylou Dari of Cebu City, “Inahan sa Kanunay’ng Panabang” by Chloe Veloso of Cebu City, “Static” by John Victor Bacsarpa of Cagayan de Oro and “Yes” by Florentino of Cebu City.

 Explaining what motivated her to mount the event, Mugna Bisaya’s founder Sunshine Lim of Goldmine Residences said she wanted to provide an avenue where the Cebuano masters of arts gather.

 “I always support Cebuano artists. When we started with our real estate development, being a developer from Cebu, we would often get comments that our company is not from Manila,” shared Lim.

 “So I felt the need to show the public that Cebuanos or products that originate from Cebu are not of inferior quality and are sometimes even better. This is the springboard of Mugna Bisaya: to promote Bisaya masterpieces.”

 Lim said she is planning to make “Mugna Bisaya” an annual event.  (FREEMAN)