Artivism puts a face on Iloilo’s ‘vulnerable’ public markets

As rapid growth pushes local vendors to the fringes, Ilonggo artists seek to empower them with public art at Barotac Viejo’s Public Market

ILOILO City – “Ang akun banwa yara sa nawum sing tienda, (The face of our hometown is mirrored by our public market)” mused Ilongga poet and artist Kristine Buenavista, one of the founders of Artivism Iloilo, as she reflected on their recent undertaking at Barotac Viejo’s Public Market.

Artivism Iloilo co-founders Marrz Capanang and Kristine Buenavista. PHOTO BY MARRZ CAPANANG

Buenavista was born and raised in Barotac Viejo, and just this late December 2019, her and a group of young Ilonggo artists immersed themselves in the locale’s culture for Artivism Iloilo’s “Marka Merkado” – an initiative that sought to empower local market vendors and small entrepreneurs through art and other programs, the event culminating in the painting of a handful murals that paid tribute to the town’s humble artisans.

“Marka Merkado” culminated in the painting of a handful murals that paid tribute to the town’s humble artisans. PHOTO BY MARRZ CAPANANG

A portmanteau of “art” and “activism,” Artivism Iloilo was first established in 2017, with the support of the British Council, a UK-based organization specializing in international cultural and educational opportunities. Since then, the organization has partnered with various local government units, non-government organizations, and artists’ groups to make its advocacy possible: Bring art closer to the masses.

“We paint walls to break walls,” is how Artivism co-founder and Ilonggo painter Marrz Capanang summarizes the vision of their initiative, aiming to champion public spaces as meaningful venues for art and expression, away from the often restrictive and exclusive galleries and museums. 

“We paint walls to break walls,” is how Artivism co-founder and Ilonggo painter Marrz Capanang summarizes the vision of their initiative, aiming to champion public spaces as meaningful venues for art and expression. PHOTO BY MARRZ CAPANANG

“Artivism was made to raise awareness of pressing social issues through different forms of art,” explained Buenavista. “Mainly murals, complemented by other expressions like musical performances, poetry, and more. We also design community-based workshops, contests, and open sharing sessions with the communities.”

On its third year, Artvism Iloilo partnered with the local government of Buenavista’s hometown Barotac Viejo to mount the endeavor, as part of the municipality’s annual Patubas Festival – the town’s harvest festival and town fiesta held in late December every year.

‘Vulnerable Public Markets’

Buenavista and Capanang share they deliberately chose Barotac Viejo Public Market to be their group’s new blank canvas in a bid to keep “traditional marketplaces alive.”

Iloilo’s bucolic rural towns have seen rapid business growth this past year or so, with large national grocery store chains putting up franchises in the town proper of a handful of strategic municipalities, competing with community public markets for customers and effectively gradually putting most local vendors out of businesses.

“As new and bigger businesses are coming into this small town [of Barotac Viejo], we hope that through showcasing the oldest and still active vendors of our community on the walls of the market, people will be reminded of the essence of the merkado: Ilonggo families directly receiving from every peso we share or pay,” explained Buenavista.

Lola Denia, one of Barotac Viejo’s oldest manuglab-as, or fishmongers, stands in front of the mural depicting her portrait inside the town’s public market. The work is by Ilonggo artist Ron Matthews Espinosa. PHOTO BY MARRZ CAPANANG

“Public markets are more than just a place to buy things,” Capanang added. “It contributes a lot in shaping our local culture – from trade to food to livelihood to community. New bigger businesses are coming into the town, and it makes the small vendors and small enterprises anxious, overlooked, and vulnerable.”

Artivism Iloilo sees local market vendors as unnoticed bearers of Ilonggo tradition, unappreciated despite their indelible contribution to their community’s culture and customs.

“Local vendors have been keeping the traditional market alive. Some of them have spent almost their whole lives trading inside these marketplaces. We love highlighting the seemingly unseen and unheard of with the hope that it brings awareness,” Buenavista told Rappler.

Late last year, one the first murals completed under “Marka Merkado” quickly went viral on social media: The portrait of 75-year-old Nang Maria, a vendor of local delicacies and kakanin, also the town’s foremost maker of ibus – the Ilonggo favorite of sweetened sticky rice wrapped in palm or buri leaves, her story resonating with plenty of people online.

The 75-year-old Nang Maria, a vendor of local delicacies and kakanin, also the town’s foremost maker of ibus – the Ilonggo favorite of sweetened sticky rice wrapped in palm or buri leaves – stands next to her portrait. PHOTO BY MARRZ CAPANANG

“To us, [Nang Maria] signifies the daily commitment of our local vendors to wake up and contribute in the local economy and the dignified lives of their families. Moreover, we admire her silent way of keeping our native delicacies alive,” related Buenavista. “She and the few remaining kakanin vendors in the public market are our own culinary culture bearers. She has also taught other younger women how to make these old-time favorites so they can have their source of income.”

Among the artists Capanang and Buenavista collaborated with were Marge Chavez, Noel Epalan Noel Jr., Tiko Batiller, Yoyoy Timbad, Isaac Bravo, Sasha Cabais, Jayce Batu Boco, Mart Abela, Margaux Blas, Therese Faith Brasileño, Natsuki Dicar, Philline Dicar, Ra’z Salvarita, Elle Divine, Pam Reyes, Marvin Monfort, Ron Matthews Espinosa, Llywyllynn Timbad, Red Haraya, Kyla Buenavista, Angel Faith Balincuacas, and Jecko Magallon.

“When we imagined and envisioned Artivism Iloilo, our goal was to bring art beyond the usual avenues such as galleries and museums. We feel that art is meant for everyone no matter what walk of life they are in,” explained Buenavista.

“When we imagined and envisioned Artivism Iloilo, our goal was to bring art beyond the usual avenues such as galleries and museums. We feel that art is meant for everyone no matter what walk of life they are in,” explained Buenavista. PHOTO BY MARRZ CAPANANG

“Overall, we feel that public markets should not be undermined as venues for cultural and artistic activities. The vibe [at the Barotac Viejo Public Market] was just so raw and candid. We hope that collectively, we are able to reflect on how we can support our local produce and kasimanwas. It is still a very beautiful and empowering thought that by buying from people from our own area, we become a part of each other’s lives, and we uplift each other day by day,” she added.

“Overall, we feel that public markets should not be undermined as venues for cultural and artistic activities,” Buenavista told Rappler. PHOTO BY MARRZ CAPANANG

Aside from the mural painting activities, other highlights of Marka Merkado held last December 17 and 18, 2019 were community-centered contests such as Pimp My Trike, a Degamo Cooking Contest, Inukay Upcycled Fashion, and Pitik Photography Exhibit, as well as talks about zero waste living and entrepreneurship, and a two-day mini concert at the heart of the market.

“We think art as an immersive and experiential platform is so underrated. It’s a powerful tool for learning and change-making,” Buenavista continued.

Taga-Barotac Viejo ako, ginamarkahan ko ang merkado, kag ang merkado ginamarkahan ako… (I am a child of Barotac Viejo, I leave my mark on our public market, and in return our public market also marks me.),” she concluded./PN

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