Bisayas United at One Visayas

Bisayas (native of the Visayan region) from all over the Visayan region united their arts, crafts, and culture during One Visayas held last March 1 – 8, 2009 at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City, Cebu.

With the theme, “One People, One Vision”, the week-long event aims to bring together the arts, crafts and culture of the Visayan provinces. Moreover, the event serves as a celebration and tribute to indigenous visual arts, theater, film, architecture, literature and most of all, being Bisaya.

Senator Mar Roxas, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Joseph ‘Ace’ Durano, DOT 7- Director Dawnie Roa, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Cebu City Mayor Jonas Cortes, along with the leaders from 16 Visayas provinces (Aklan, Biliran, Guimaras, Southern Leyte, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Antique, Cebu, Samar, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Siquijor, Leyte, Bohol, Iloilo and Capiz) graced the opening ceremony of One Visayas last March 1.

Each festival day was highlighted with one form of art in the Visayas. Theater Arts was featured on March 2 and showcased, “Kasanag Batok Sa Sugal” of Antique; “Dagohoy, the Musical” of Bohol; and “Inodoro”, a musical production on waste management of Calbayog City, Samar.

Literature, Theater and Dance were highlighted during the third day. Dr. Alicia Magos of Antique conducted a lecture on “West Visayan Maritime Traditions” while Dr. Virgie Miquialba talked about “Mystical Siquijor”, a lecture on healing arts. Later, talented artists from Samar staged "Calbayog Lakub”. Finally, Leyte Kalipayan Dance Company of Tacloban City, Leyte presented a dance concert.

Dance was featured on March 4 and the presentations included a folk arts dance concert from Capiz; “Poseidon” by Teatro Amorseko of Negros Occidental; and “Balangiga Encounter 1901" of Eastern Samar.

Music was the tune of the day last March 5 with the “Tunog Karay-a” and “OKM Concert” of Antique; Sopranos of Capiz; and a lecture on “Cebuano Languages as Heritage” by Dr. Erlinda Alburo. This was followed by the launching of Dr. Aluro's new book, “A Dictionary of Bisayan Arts, Cebuano, Hiligaynon and Waray”. In the evening, the “Pasundayag, Kulturang Southern Leyte” was presented together with the music of Pinoy rock icon Mike Hanopol.

March 6 featured Architecture and Fine Arts and showcased the “Heritage Sites and Structures of Cebu” lecture by Architect Melva Java; “Marketing for Artists” lecture by Dr. Ed Hallar; and the launching of the the book “Sukaran: The Heritage Houses of Loboc and Baclayon”, co-authored by heritage architect Inno Manalo and Marianito Luspo.

Visual Arts and other forms of arts were highlighted on March 7 before the closing ceremonies held during the last day of the festival.