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TREASURES --- The Cotabato City Tourism Promotion Board officially
opened Kakawasan (Treasures of Cotabato City) Exhibit Gallery Show last June 15
at the Old City Hall which is part of the 58th Araw Ng Cotabato
celebration. At inset in lower right
shows the Grade 6 Sped A pupils of the Cotabato City Central Pilot School who
were the visitors during the first day of the gallery show. (GILMHAR A. LAO - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)
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COTABATO CITY --- The Cotabato
City Tourism Promotion Board (TPB) officially opened to the public last June 15
its five-day Kakawasan (Treasures of Cotabato City) Exhibit Gallery Show at the
old city hall.
The activity is
part of the 58th Araw Ng Cotabato celebration.
Christie
Mañara-Guiani, TBP vice chair and exhibit director, said the gallery show was
realized after several meetings of the board, including a strategic planning workshop
with Department of Tourism (DOT)-12 Director Nelly Dillera.
“We simply talked
about how to promote tourism of Cotabato City. We came up to categorizing the multi-dimentional
concept of tourism. It can be historical, cultural, ecological, products, food,
and others,” Mañara-Guiani said.
Mañara-Guiani said the word Kakawasan is a Moro word for treasures.
“Every item we see inside the gallery are treasures of different cultures
molded by the Cotabateños. The ground floor is the reflection of the culture
and arts of Cotabato City people,” she said.
Mañara-Guiani said the gallery show is highlighted with the symbolism of
Gong that reflects the majestic culture and arts of the people. At the 2nd
floor is assigned for the local officials who have served Cotabato City.
“The Old City Hall was called Bahay Pamahalaan during the 1970’s. From its
old name, we derived to conceptualize the theme of the 2nd floor to be a house.
Since it was influenced by an architectural classical Filipino house, we used
wooden sofa and antique baul and an accent of brass wares to make it authentic
Cotabato Art. Simply a mixed of culture with unity,” said Mañara-Guiani.
The following can be seen inside the gallery: different cultural
costumes that mold the Cotabateños; art gallery (showcase of paintings and art works
by the local artist); the old photo and vintage collections of Cotabateños who
have contributed a big part of the history of the city; the brass wares, inaul,
and other local products; the Maguindeli products of Cotabato; souvenir and pasalubong
booth; and exhibit photos of tourist spots and attractions of the city.
Mañara-Guiani said the board’s mission is to make Cotabato City a
tourist destination for the Center of Culture and Arts of Mindanao.
“We have all the materials and the talents. We can start by showing the
people who we are and what we are. We want our tourists to experience the sense
of belonging in Cotabato City. We hope they would understand that there is
unity in our beloved city,” she said.
Meanwhile, TPB executive chairman Bai Sandra Siang said she is proud and
excited that finally “we have a venue where we could witness the rich culture
and history of Cotabato City through arts and our very own products.”
“This is a venue where we could show our treasures. All the treasures of
Cotabato City, be it destination, be it talents, be it products where we can
proudly show to the country and to the rest of the world,” said Siang.
Siang explained how important it is for the young ones to know and truly
understand the city’s or environ’s rich history and
culture.
“This gallery show is also for them so they could appreciate and
understand more on our roots,” she said.
Vice Mayor Graham Nazer G. Dumama, who represented City Mayor Atty. Frances
Cynthia-Guiani Sayadi during the opening of the gallery show, lauded the
efforts of the Cotabato City Tourism Promotion Board.
“Despite the fact that the Cotabato City TPB was only organized just a
month ago, it is good to know that you have already came up with this very
significant activity which depicts the rich culture and heritage of our city,”
Vice-Mayor Dumama said. (GILMHAR A. LAO
- MINDANAO EXPOSE’)
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