Inday Loren Strengthens Efforts in Forwarding Culture and Arts in Antique

As the country observes National Arts Month this February, Senator “Inday Loren” Legarda encouraged her kasimanwas to further promote arts and culture as part of development.

“Arts and culture reflect the identity and history of a community. Having a strong sense of identity is important in ensuring that progress is inclusive and lasting,” said Legarda.

In line with this, the Senator has initiated various projects to nurture arts and culture in her home province.

The first Bantayog Wika (Language Marker) of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) was built in Antique for the Kinaray-a language. Bantayog Wika is a nationwide project of the KWF in partnership with Legarda that seeks to identify areas where languages originated.

Installation artist Luis ‘Junyee’ Yee, Jr. designed and created the language marker, a bamboo-inspired sculpture made of stainless steel and bearing the baybayin version of “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Bayan” by Andres Bonifacio.

Legarda also initiated the rehabilitation and development of the Malandog River, which plays an important role in the history and culture of the Province of Antique where the historic Malayan Settlement took place in the 13th Century. It is said to be where the ten Bornean datus first landed when they arrived in Panay Island.

Other projects of Legarda on arts and culture include the restoration and retrofitting of the Old Capitol Building to turn it into a museum and library; the establishment of a Kinaray-a Center; rehabilitation of the Anini-y Church; rehabilitation of Gabaldon school buildings; and construction of a Performing Arts Center.

The Senator also promotes culture- and arts-based livelihood, thus, supporting indigenous communities and the Schools of Living Tradition (SLT). She has provided support for the SLT Assistance to Artisans, Enhanced SLT Program, establishment of weaving, natural dye and processing centers, establishment of pineapple farms and fiber extraction facilities and abaca fiber production, and the conduct of the Antique Harvest Fair, which showcased the various micro and small enterprises that promote Antique’s art, culture and heritage.

Legarda has also brought the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and the Rondalla: Strings of Unity program to Antique for outreach performances.

“We have a very rich culture and this is what I want my fellow Antiqueños to continuously discover, promote, and preserve,” Legarda concluded.