A people’s art in the park

A people’s art in the park

Diwa ng Kasarinlan: Pinta Piyesta Kababayan

By Lui Queaño

The Philippine Reporter

“Diwa ng Kasarinlan: Pinta Piyesta Kababayan” is a four-day visual arts workshop on mural painting on fabric that focuses on migration, Philippine history, workers’ rights and welfare, anti-racism, and women’s rights, all while addressing community concerns and issues. The mural art exhibition at Jack Goodlad Park on Kennedy Road in Scarborough is defiant, reflective, and provocative as it featured seven life-size mural paintings by various artists, the majority of whom reside in Scarborough and the Greater Toronto Area. In addition, the exhibition celebrates the art of mural painting under the direction of invited Vancouver muralists Bert Monterona and Mylene Maranoc.

Bert Monterona and Mylene Maranoc

One of the mural paintings depicts two large hands forming a stop sign with people of various nationalities in the background, which appears to represent multiculturalism defying racism and hatred. In the background of the mural on a fabric garment are what appear to be tribal and indigenous patterns.

Another mural depicting the ongoing resistance of the Filipino people to colonialism is inspiring and powerful. Artists portrayed the Filipino people’s successful revolution against Spanish colonial rule through the use of vibrant, arresting shades of colors. Monterona and Maranoc’s influence was evident in the mural’s hues and subject matter.

There are other murals that show variations on the same themes. Many murals that address topics like global warming, forced migration, and migrant rights feature images of enslaved people, depictions of workers fighting for their rights, and allusions to the repressive policies of the state. The mural painted by the young people who came to share their art and make a political statement in advance of the upcoming state of the nation address brought to the fore the current situation in the Philippines. Perhaps it was Bert Monterona’s first-day lecture at the workshop, in which he argued that the content of an artistic work always trumps its form.

At the conclusion of the Diwa ng Kasarinlan Pinta Piyesta Kababayan in Jack Goodlad Park in Scarborough on Sunday, July 9, these and other works of art were displayed. Kamalayan (consciousness), a Toronto-based organization led entirely by Filipino youth that promotes anti-racism through culture and storytelling, youth leadership and community outreach, and other platforms on arts and media, organized the event in collaboration with Philippine Advancement Through Arts and Culture(PATAC) supported by Anti-Racism Anti-Hate project (ARAH) and Malaya Canada in Toronto.

The Vancouver-based artists Bert Monterona and Mylene Maranoc were in Scarborough from July 6 to 9 instructing a mural painting workshop. Both are ecstatic with the response the murals have received from the Scarborough community, which values them for more than just their aesthetic value.

As social media spread the news of Jack Goodlad’s transformation into a museum of seven exquisitely painted murals, curious observers began to gather in the park. Throughout the day, local musicians and poets perform everything from folk songs and spoken word to jazz ambience and modern pop grooves.

Popular activities at this year’s Filipino celebration of culture and the arts in John Goodlad Park included kite-making, Zumba dancing, and cultural performances by local artists including Norman Taniegra , Jennifer Uy , The Fallover band, Con Herrera Q, Jeah Mae, Jaqueline Aquines and ZDance Marathon.

Filipinos and non-Filipinos who happened upon the event enjoyed “halo-halo,” Filipino food, and a festive atmosphere complete with “banderitas” tied to the gazebo posts. Long lines formed at the event’s free ‘halo-halo’ booth, demonstrating its popularity with both locals and tourists. On a hot summer day, nothing beats sharing an endless supply of free “halo-halo” in the park with everyone.

Thadsha Navaneethan, a local politician, came out to shoot the breeze with the crowd and admire the murals. On social media, Thadsha posted a photo of herself at a mural arts exhibition, praising the works for their  “powerful messages of migrants rights and the Filipino struggle of national liberation and their new found home in the diaspora.” Members of the Filipino community such as Ramon Estaris,  Tom Tan, PIDC Executive VP, Martha Ocampo, PIDC President Agnes Miranda, Miss International Bea Santiago and Ofelia Santiago were spotted having a good time.

Ontario MPP Doly Begum

Malaya Canada convenor Ed Muyot addressed the crowd about Malaya Canada’s social and political advocacy on issues which he said should concern the community. Muyot also encouraged and thanked the community for participating in the park’s celebration of resistance, history, and the ongoing struggle for freedom through people’s art. Cartoonist and visual artist Muyot praised the event’s positive reception as a chance to bring the community closer and more involved.

Julie Guevarra, the organizer of Kamalayan, said that the murals in the exhibition answer many of the questions raised by young Filipino-Canadians regarding the causes of the massive migration of Filipinos to Canada and the history of the Filipino struggle. She anticipates a larger turnout of young people at the event next year.

PATAC President Ben Corpuz, whose son Benson proudly recited a poem in memory of her mother Paulina Corpuz, announced that next year’s “Diwa ng Kasarinlan, Pinta Piyesta Kababayan” featuring mural artworks would be bigger and more inviting to unite and celebrate the diversity in political, social, and cultural elements that have united the community.

From left: Hermie Garia, Mila Garcia, Kevin Felicano, Den Kevin Paul, Bert Monterona, Kristan Jay Paual and Lui Queaño.

Ontario Member of Provincial Parliament Doly Begum taking selfie photo with Agnes Miranda, PIDC president, and others at Jack Goodlad Park event Diwa ng Kasarinlan.
Photo provided