THIS Arts Month, witness Bohol’s creative brilliance like never before! On February 21–23, Garbo sa Bohol brings an explosion of artistic talent to the spotlight. From the thrilling bag and cap interschool competition to the elegant Filipiniana contest at Island City Mall, and an exciting art exhibit featuring 106 artists at Alturas Mall, this event is set to immerse the community in the beauty of Boholano artistry. More than just a showcase, these activities ignite a deeper appreciation for Bohol’s rich heritage, the stunning Bohol Geopark, and the boundless talent of local artists.
As the Chairman of the Committee on Visual Arts of the Bohol Art and Cultural Heritage Council, I had the honor of delivering a speech at the opening of Garbo sa Bohol. To our provincial and town leaders, artists, and art enthusiasts, allow me to share these words—a tribute to the soul of Boholano art:
“Today, we stand at a crossroads in Bohol’s artistic evolution. ‘Garbo sa Bohol’ is more than an event—it’s a declaration. A statement that our creative voices demand to be heard, that our artistic identity is worth shaping and refining. But let’s be real: no artist makes it on celebration alone. The true test of an art scene is what happens after the lights dim, when the work of creation and recognition begins anew.
Let’s talk about the landscape we navigate. Bohol, as of now, has no formal galleries, and while we do have collectors, many purchase their pieces outside Bohol, while the rest are yet to be educated on the cultural and investment value of art. Additionally, many of our artists lack exposure to what can elevate their art to professional levels, including the pathways to gallery representation. But let’s reframe the narrative—our lack of institutional validation forces us to be resourceful, daring, and relentless. Instead of waiting for gatekeepers, we create our own doors. This is the essence of artistic survival: to adapt, to assert, to insist that what we make matters.
Yet opportunity is on the horizon. The planned transformation of the governor’s mansion into a cultural hub with a dedicated gallery is more than just real estate—it’s space where ideas, visions, and movements can take shape. A place where art isn’t an afterthought but a focal point. The proposed regional art hub backed by national initiatives, long in the making, could further carve out Bohol’s place in the national art discourse. But infrastructure alone is not enough. We must be ready to inhabit it with work that speaks beyond the walls that hold it.
One major step forward is the upcoming publication of “Shaping Masterpieces,” an art criticism book by yours truly, highlighting premier Boholano artists. This book, made possible through the competitive grant of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in partnership with the Province of Bohol, will contribute to shaping the discourse on our artistic identity. Additionally, upcoming research-based art talks will provide practical and intellectual rigor to our practice, giving our artists the tools to catapult their work to greater heights.
Through the Bohol Art and Cultural Heritage Council, we are also ensuring a balanced approach in supporting our artists. We are encouraged to allocate budget proposals toward two essential categories: training programs and exhibition production. This ensures that both skill development and artistic presentation receive the necessary resources to serve the broader interest of Boholano artists.
This is where artistic language—our own visual idiom—becomes critical. We cannot rely on external trends to define us. If our work is to resonate, it must come from a place of deep, undeniable truth. What does it mean to be an artist in Bohol today? What marks our work as distinctly ours? These questions aren’t rhetorical; they are demands. If we fail to articulate them, we risk blending into the noise rather than standing apart from it.
Just as crucial is the need for artists to present a cohesive body of work. Recognition in the art world is not just about talent; it’s about attention—who gets it, how, and why. A scattered, inconsistent portfolio makes it difficult for galleries, critics, and collectors to understand an artist’s identity. The economy of attention dictates that what is seen has value. Those exhibited in galleries, discussed in criticism, and engaged with in cultural spaces gain legitimacy and, eventually, influence. But galleries are not the only pathways. Digital spaces, independent curations, performance interventions—there are other creative avenues we must actively explore. We cannot afford to be passive. The art world does not reward hesitation.
So, to every artist here today: go beyond. If able, seek to connect with galleries outside Bohol by attending openings and fostering relationships with curators—these connections matter in securing exhibits. Balance the development of artistic vision and technical skills. Ask yourself: what is your art about, and why do you create it the way you do? Be aware that, according to reliable journals, the trajectories of artist success revolve around the economy of attention. There is no singular path to recognition, but one thing is certain: those who attract and sustain attention shape the art world.
As we celebrate ‘Garbo sa Bohol,’ let’s honor the art before us, not as a mere showcase, but as a starting point. What we do next will determine whether this moment is an isolated spark or the foundation of something lasting. The choice is ours.
Daghang salamat kaninyong tanan.”
