MANILA, Philippines - Before the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century, the Kapampangan people were known to be traders and explorers who traded with China.
Kapampangans were known for their business acumen and ingenuity, as well as an innate sense of artistry. Today Pampanga’s craft culture is vibrant and innovative. Its provincial seal — “Viva Pampanga, Sharing the Best†— says it all.
Kapampangan artisans are also highly skilled and educated, giving rise to world-class woodcraft, ceramics, metal-crafting, furniture-making, Christmas décor and, of course, the Christmas lanterns they have been known for.
Mall-goers recently had a glimpse of crafts from Pampanga when “My City, My SM, My Crafts†made its ninth stop at SM City Pampanga. A joint project of SM, DTI’s Bureau of Domestic Trade, and The Philippine STAR with support from CITEM and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, it is a celebration of traditional arts and modern Philippine design in the cities where SM has malls.
San Fernando Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin and Guagua Mayor Dante Torres graced the event, together with DTI provincial director Elenita Ordono and PhilExport executive director Malou Balano. SM officials led by SM vice president for marketing Millie Dizon, SM Supermalls VP for operations Bien Mateo, regional operations manager of North Luzon Rheybie Nipas, SM City San Fernando Downtown’s mall manager Lana Erroba, as well as SM City Pampanga mall manager Junias Eusebio, and assistant mall managers Ana Liza Carino and Mark Carlo Herrera were present.
The event also honored three great Kapampangan artisans and artists who have brought great honor to the Philippines through their world-class works.
The honorees are National Living Treasure Eduardo Mutuc, a Kapampangan artist who dedicated his life to creating religious and secular art in silver, wood and bronze (and whose exquisite retablos, mirrors, altars and carosas are in churches and private collections); Willy Layug, Presidential Merit awardee in Ecclesiastical Art, who is known for his intricately carved woodwork; and Brillante Mendoza, Cannes Film Festival Best Director in 2009.
It was a happy coincidence that Mendoza produced a film about Willy Layug, Dukit, for the Metro Manila Film Festival’s New Wave Section. Directed by Armando Lao, the film went on to win the Best Picture and Best Actor awards in the category.
During the event, April de los Santos shared her deep passion for culture and the arts as video tour guide.
The highlight was the lantern parade, which gave mall-goers a rare glimpse of the evolution of the parol by master lantern-maker Rolando Quiambao. Francisco Estanislao pioneered the lantern making industry in San Fernando in 1908, making the first parol as a five-point star illuminated by a candle or carbide lamp. And San Fernando today is known for its Giant Lantern Festival where beautiful parol dazzle with lights and music.
Edwin Layug won in the wood-carving contest (where workshop participants submitted their own wooden creations), receiving P5,000 worth of gift certificates.
Judges included DTI provincial director Elenita Ordonio, Kapampangan photographer Ruston Banal, and The STAR’s SVP for sales and marketing Lucien Dy Tioco.
The “My City, My SM, My Crafts†centerpiece was the Craft Market inspired by the traditional Bahay na Bato in Luzon, an instant hit among SM City Pampanga shoppers. It showcased a treasure trove of the best-of-the- best crafts in the province — including Pampanga One by the Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines.
Shoppers were awed by Venetian-style mirrors from Ellen’s House of Frames and Crafts, exquisite metal crafts from La Classic and Designs, terracotta décor from L and G Ceramics, and amazing items fashioned from lahar by Disenyong Pinatubo. Intricately designed furniture from Philiana Design, Country Accents, Dale Mathis Studio, Mallari’s Nursery Furniture, and Chrislai Enterprises were also featured, as well as Christmas ornaments fashioned from cornhusk by Negotech, Santas of all sizes by Tas Decors, and beautiful lanterns from RolRen’s Lantern and General Merchandise.
“My City, My SM, My Crafts†is a takeoff from the previous “My City, My SM†campaign, which promotes tourism, and “My City, My SM, My Cuisine,†which highlights the culinary specialties in cities were SM has malls. A celebration of traditional arts and modern Philippine design, it aims to showcase the best of the best Philippine crafts in each host city, providing livelihood opportunities, as well as a platform for cultural exchange.
The Pampanga launch is the ninth in the “My City, My SM, My Crafts†road show after SM City Santa Rosa, SM City Lucena, SM City Batangas, SM City Davao, SM City Naga, SM City Cagayan de Oro, SM City Marilao, and SM City Taytay. The next stop will be in SM City Iloilo.