Padyak Manila set to explore the city's forgotten architecture by bike

Art is everywhere. Yes, even along the topsy-turvy streets of Manila. But keeping an eye out for interesting buildings is probably the last thing on your mind, especially when you're stuck in traffic.

 

"When we travel, we just pass by these buildings but we don't stop and appreciate the beauty and the history of these places and sites," Architect Gerard Lico, head of the National Committee on Architecture and Allied Arts, said during a press conference on January 16.  

As part of this year's Philippine Arts Festival, bike enthusiasts are invited to join Padyak Manila, a guided tour of the metro, stopping at key places such as Intramuros and Paco Park. "We will use bicycles as a means to visit the various landmarks of Metro Manila - those forgotten architectures that we overlook when we travel," said Lico, who explained the one-day event will be replicated for other key cities in the Philippines.

 

The tour will follow key episodes in the narrative of Manila’s urban built environment – from colonial architectures to globalist edifices, according to the event page on the Arkitektura.ph website.

 

Apart from bringing architectural history to life, the tour also allows participants to create their own art. "What's unique about this event is at every designated stop, the bikers will be given an opportunity to take photographs of the building or the site," Lico said.

 

The photographs will be exhibited and prizes will be given for the top entries during an awarding ceremony at the University Theater at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. 

 

Padyak Manila will be held on February 2, and is among the first activities for National Arts Month (NAM). The different NAM activities are consolidated under the Philippine Arts Festival, which carries the theme "Ani ng Sining." For 2013, the subtheme is "Celebrating Icons."

 

"Cultural icons are a very important basis of identity and of nationhood," said NCCA Chairman Felipe de Leon, Jr., adding that PAF will highlight the country's icons such as balut and tinikling.

 

According to de Leon, these cultural icons bear our cultural identity, and one of the most effective ways to express cultural identity is through the arts.

 

"It is the arts of the people that most faithfully mirror their deepest feelings. The arts can provide the most vivid images of social relations and cultural values," he said, adding that developing the arts leads to other kinds of development.

 

"Advancing art excellence and creativity is a fundamental principle of sustainable development," de Leon said, citing studies from United Nations Development Program that show "the best way to prime a people for development is to promote their arts."

 

De Leon explained that this is why the flagship project of the NCCA is to showcase contemporary Filipino artistic creativity in the seven major art forms: visual arts, architecture, music, dance, theater, cinema and literature.  

   

Among the highlights of this year's celebration are the Philippine Visual Arts Festival, which will be held in Pagadian City; Masjid: Jewels of Filipino Islamic Faith, an exhibit which will be held at the University of Santo Tomas Museum; Tunog-Tugan, the first International Gongs and Bamboo Music Festival in Dipolog City and Baguio City; Sayaw Pinoy, which will bring more than 30 performing groups to different venues all over the country; Likha ASEAN 1, a festival and conference on community theater and community-based tourism and creative industries; Cinema Rehiyon, a gathering of regional filmmakers who will screen their work at the University of the Philippines Los Baños; and Taboan, the festival for literature which will be held in Dumaguete City.

 

The Philippine Arts Festival will be officially launched on February 6 with a caravan in Marikina City. At the end of the month, the festival culminates with the Ani ng Dangal awarding ceremony at Malacañang Palace. During the ceremony, NCCA will recognize Filipino artists who have won top honors in international competitions and festivals. This year's awardees include filmmaker Brillante Mendoza, actress Nora Aunor, designer Kenneth Cobonpue, journalist Kara David, and singer Sarah Geronimo.

 

For more information, visit the NCCA website – KDM, GMA News