Vice President Sara Duterte and Pasig Vice Mayor Robert Jaworski Jr. (second from left) lead the ribbon cutting of “Gahum sa Buwak: Flower Power” with female Davao artists Rita Bustamante and Josie Carriedo Tionko at the Estancia Mall in Pasig City on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (Photo by ARNEL TACSON / INQUIRER.net).
MANILA, Philippines — News has become overwhelming and can kill imagination, while art can help people find deeper meaning.
Vice President Sara Duterte made the comment as she kicked off National Women’s Month on Wednesday at Estancia Mall in Pasig with the opening of the art exhibit “Gahum sa Buwak: Flower Power,” which features the works of Davao female artists.
“The digital age has thrown us into a pool of overwhelming news which kills our imagination and cripples us into apathy, disengagement, and inaction,” Duterte said in her speech.
According to her, it’s concerning how it has become difficult for people to relate to others with different experiences.
“This is where art becomes a powerful tool to make a difference. Art doesn’t necessarily tell us what to do or feel, but it teaches us to pause and find meaning in our experiences,” she said.
The vice president was joined by Pasig Vice Mayor Robert Jaworski Jr., Ortigas Land President Jose Jalandoni, and other Pasig City officials.
The exhibit features floral works of artists in different genres:
- paintings by Rita Bustamante, Mean Tan Guinoo, Annie Tan Sy, Maru Aiharu, Aimee Suarez, Josie Carriedo Tionko, Ritzel Polinar, Nina Custodio, Marica Llamas Cang, Shaira Secuya, Jing Rabat, and Amanda Fe Echevarria
- photography and digital arts by Ella Plariza and Rona Plariza
- jewelry and fashion by Kathryn Fanlo and Margarita Montemayor Nograles