Alvin P.

Sabellano March 6, 2017

Humanities 1 Testimonial paper

I was so moved by the forum/art exhibit that was organized in February 23, 2017
that I want now to create such magnificent arts on my own. When I saw the paintings
myself, I was like I want to create one too. The totality of the art pieces including the
story behind every piece is just so commendable. The result of attending the art exhibit
was so remarkable.
One of the pieces that I saw was the Bungansakit: An Engkantada ha Buscada
Acrylic is a piece made by Fleri Estorninos-de Leon, a Basaynon: The legend of
beautiful Bungansakit has been told for generations. The real story may be limited to the
fact that Basey was named in her honor but the fanaticism made the story as
compelling as it is enduring. It has inspired zarzuelas, Moro-moro or stage dance that
simulate the fight between Christians and Muslims and poetry-reading contests in
Spanish and vernacular. More recently, the legend is immortalized in a book entitled A
Mat Weavers Story: the Legend of Bungansakit written by Wilmo C. Orejola and
published by Watermark Press in the United States (2001).
One thing I liked was the "ARMAS BANDERAO!", one of the battlecries of the
"Dios-dios" (Cruishank) or the Pulahanes movement in Samar. The Pulahanes
movement was steeped more on folk religious revival and traditional folk beliefs laced
with myths and the supernatural. Although the Pulahanes flag was white with a red
cross, many of them wore a streak of red (pula) in them..men even wore red trousers
and tattooed orasyones. The red skirt Lola Bunang used to "shield" against bullets...It
was her flag, her weapon, aside from her "librito" (small book of Latin prayers),
scapularies and rosary beads...while others of her group had curved bolos (machete),
knives and eskrima sticks...Bunang did not know much of war tactics and combat, but
was a fighter who strongly believed that Faith in God could vanquish the enemies by
using her "anting-anting". I found the experience seeing this piece so interesting and
mind blowing.
Great stimulating art pieces such as these can only be witnessed in an art
exhibits. There, it will let us feel something new, different from your past experiences. It
lets us feel the greatness of the spirit of art through the staging of the great ideas that
came from the great minds who created the art pieces presented on the exhibit. I would
recommend art exhibits to people who need inspiration, great new experience and love
for arts. It would be better if everyone of us will practice visiting or attending art exhibits.
It only takes opportunity, no risk, no worries, just attend art exhibits!
Sincerely,
Alvin P. Sabellano