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The Endemic Flora of Cuartero

Tungaw-Tungaw
Kristine Rose M. Fabuna
Acrylic on canvas, 2021
"Sang una nga panahon kun kami ara sa talon
Litik-litik sang Tungaw-Tungaw amon ginakaun
Para maka sapin-sapin
Sang amon nga gutom."
Translation: 
"Once upon a time
when we were in the forest
We ate shredded tungaw-tungaw 
To satisfy our hunger."

The Endemic Flora of Cuartero paintings were created by the students of Cuartero National High School in Capiz under the Special Program in the Arts project entitled: Dunang Maduagon,  A Visual Documentation of Cuartero Endemic Flora. Dunang maduagon means naturally colorful. The goals of the thesis and study were to bring to light various flora endemic in the municipality and make the community aware of their importance and uses. Furthermore, the study sought to provide not only written documentation but also visual representation of the flora through these paintings. Mrs. Roda Henorga was the Thesis/Production Adviser and Ramie Capuyan was the Program Head, SPA. The visual artists who participated in this project were:
Cristane Adiong
Christian Lloyd Barla
CJ Delfin
Kristene Rose Fabuna
Erikh James Mestidio

These paintings were executed in 2021, at the height of the pandemic, when locals turned to raising plants to counter the long and stressful days spent at home and to bring color and life amidst the catastrophic effects of the Covid-19 virus that caught the world by surprise. 

I've also included with the paintings their specific luwa (lowa), folk poetry composed of four lines with ending words that rhyme. Luwa were, for the most part, about love. Ms. Roda Henorga wrote the luwa for these paintings 

Luwa was originally practiced at the wake of a deceased person to provide a break or entertainment to the mourners. It was a form of punishment in a game called Bordon where the person caught with the ring (or pebble) that is passed among the participants must recite a luwa. This form of oral poetry has been kept alive to this day by three women who are the cultural masters of luwa. They are Suprema Fabiana, Socorro Basamot and Maternidad Hamasa.

Tapulanga
CJ Delfin
Acrylic on canvas, 2021
"Kung ikaw may uyapos nga mapula
Indi na magkabalaka
Ang dahon sang Tapulanga tuktuka
Kag gilayon ini bulunga."
Translation:
"If you have a red boil
Don't worry
Pound a leaf of Tapulanga
To heal it with."

Lirio
Christian Lloyd C. Barla
Acrylic on canvas, 2021
"Sa pagselebrar sang Flores de Mayo
Ginahalad sa altar ang bulak sang Lirio
Ang iya unod bulong man nga epektibo
Nga ga pakuha sa guya sang itom-itom nga indi maayo."
Translation:
"To celebrate Flores de Mayo (flowers of May)
We offer the Lirio flower at the altar
It is also effective
To clear the ugly black spots from the face."

Malunggay
CJ Delfin
Acrylic on canvas, 2021
"Sa kilid sang balay
May nagtubo nga Malunggay
Ang ido nagalahay
Kay nagpuksi si Inday "
Translation:
"Beside the house
A malunggay grows
The dog barked
When Inday tore a piece from it."

Sampaliya 
Cristane C. Adiong
Acrylic on canvas, 2021
" Sa higad dalan nag sab-it
Kung ilakot sa labog manamit
Sampaliya nga mapait
Sa lawas may benefit "
Translation:
"By the side of the road it hangs
If you mixed it with roselle, it's tasty
The bitter Sampaliya 
Benefits the body as well." 

Saging-Saging
Christian Lloyd C. Barla
Acrylic on canvas, 2021
"Ang Saging-Saging ginagamit pang dekorasyon
Sa mga fiesta kag mga okasyon
Madamo sa palibot kag madali lang kuhaon
Kag wala nagakalaya sa gilayon."
Translation:
"The saging-saging is used for decoration
For fiestas and other occasions
You can find many around you
And doesn't wither easily."

Sentimento
Cristane C. Adiong
Acrylic on canvas, 2021
"Sang ako nasandad
Tuhod ko nasamad
Ang akon ginpuga
Iya sang Sentimento nga duga."
Translation:
"When I tripped
My knee broke
I squeezed 
A Sentimento."

Rosas de Baybayon
Kristine Rose M. Fabuna, 
Acrylic on canvas,2021
"Kun bulong sa altapresyon
Sa palibot lang pangitaon
Gamot sang Rosas de Baybayon
Laga-on kag paga imnon."
Translation:
"If you're looking for treatment for high blood pressure
Find it around you
The medicine from Rosas de Baybayon
Boil then drink it."

Many thanks to Fretzie Henderin Feria from Balay Mapanag in Cuartero and Ms. Roda Henorga for allowing us to exhibit these paintings at Bitoy's and giving us the opportunity to learn about the  flora of Cuartero and its unique folk poetry.

These paintings will be on display at Bitoy's on Baybay Beach, Roxas City, Capiz beginning  February 21, 2023. 


*****

Images by TravelswithCharie 
Labels:
Location: Cuartero, Capiz, Philippines

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