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The Arts Scene in Roxas City

At the recently inaugurated Dance and Arts Studio in Gaisano Mall, paintings by Clay Dalid and works by artists of the Paon Livelihood Series are currently on display. From the Paon group comes the livelihood genre such as laying fish out to dry and fresh catch in metal baskets. These works reflect one of the most important means of livelihood for residents of the "seafood capital" of the Philippines.
Clay Dalid continues the theme of the bountiful harvest of the sea with her still life with seashells. In her lily series, Clay gives us a taste of her colorful palette.
On the third floor of Gaisano, there is a children's playroom with a huge mural by John Alaban. Here you'll see the hills of San Francisco and the Golden Gate bridge. I've seen John's other oeuvres of Philippine scenes which are reminiscent of Amorsolo, suffused with the light of the tropics and bold hues.
At the Roxas City Museum, the paintings of Lino Villaruz are on view as well as those of other local artists. Lino's style emulates the works of the Pointilists like Seurat. He also dabbles in abstract paintings. I particularly like his canvas of a group of musicians. It reminds me of the old days when the rondalla was the "band" of choice for the Semana Santa procession.
There is no lack of talented artists in Roxas City. But they need your patronage to keep the art scene alive and well.
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Photos by Rosario Charie Albar

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