By Cyrus A. Natividad
CPU President Dr. Teodoro Robles and Board of Trustees Chairman Atty. Von Lovel Bedona led the ribbon-cutting.
“KUTITAP” Art-for-a-Cause was launched on Monday, November 9, 2020, at Robinsons Place Pavia, Iloilo. “Kutitap”, which means “sparkle of light” is an art exhibit organized by Central Philippine University Cultural Affairs Office’s Centralian Visual Artists Society (CENVAS) in cooperation with the CPU Alumni Association. The event was brought in part by the management of Robinsons Place Pavia.
The works of art – paintings, done with different media on canvas were contributed by Ilonggo Centralian artists – among them: Althea Villanueva, Glyn Poblacion, Beverly Patingo, Sarah Jane Lacerna, Therese Faith Brasileno, Alessandra Marie Omemaga, Vic Nabor, Cris Barredo, Paolo Gabriel Nabor, Dave Loui Gumarang, Vic Fario, and Efraim Alfaras.
The program started at 3:30 in the afternoon, with an opening prayer by Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on, Director, CPU Office of Communications. Ms. Crista S. Huyong, Coordinator, CPU Cultural Affairs Office led the Pambansang Awit and delivered her welcome remarks. Huyong appreciated the artists, thanking them for ably delivering their masterpieces for exhibit at the Robinsons Pavia. “It is always our dream to put up a big exhibit that involves the students, faculty, and staff. I believe that each one of us has an artist heart, in that we can always see something beautiful in every aspect of life”, she said. Huyong appealed to everyone including those abroad to buy a work of art from the exhibit “because it will benefit the work students.”
Communications Director Rev. Francis Neil Jalando-on leading the Opening Prayer.
The Rationale of Exhibit was explained by the Event’s Coordinator, Efraim G. Alfaras who himself has his artworks included in the exhibit. Alfaras hinted that the launching of “Kutitap” signifies the coming of light with the start of CPU’s Festival of Lights at Central come December 4. He encouraged everyone to support the work students by being a channel of blessing to them either by sponsoring them or thru purchasing one of the works of art from the exhibits.
Prof. Annalie D. Gilongos, WSSP Coordinator, updated on the Work Student Study Program of CPU. She said that “We have 328 continuing work students. I thank the Central Philippine University administration for fully supporting the work students.” She invited everyone to be a part of the “Kutitap” endeavor by sponsoring through purchasing a work of art in the exhibit.
Part of the proceeds of the project will benefit the work students of CPU who were not able to return to the University due to the risks posed by COVID-19.
One of the artworks featured in the exhibit.
University President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles thanked the Cultural Affairs Office, the CENVAS and the Management of Robinsons Place Pavia for their partnership for the exhibit. He acknowledged “KUTITAP” as a multi-purpose event. He said that the first purpose is to raise funds for the work students, the second purpose is to showcase the talents of students, faculty and staff, and alumni, and the third is to entertain people with works of art.
Dr. Robles mentioned that apart from the amount to be given out in the art exhibit project, financial support for the work students will also continue.
CPU Alumni Association President Atty. Joshua C. Alim congratulated the artists and thanked the alumni for the support. He assured everyone that the Board of Trustees of the CPU Alumni Association is supportive of the partnership for the art project. Engr. Isagani J. Jalbuena Chair, CPU Festival of Lights, thanked everyone. He acknowledged that, “The technology this time has helped a lot in organizing and realizing this event.”
An intermission number was rendered by Ms. Amille Sarmiento, CPU Alumna, before the unveiling of Artworks.