Tigsik

Tigsik is an old type of short poems or rawitdawit in Bikol. It shows how spontaneous and talented Bikolanos are in versing. This is actually done verbally, while having a shot during a drinking session with colleagues. It is composed of two to four lines with eight or more syllables in mono-rhyme scheme. Tigsik is for praising or making humilation out of something or someone. It can be positive or negative, serious or most of the time, humorous.

I have created three written tigsik with my pastel arts that were submitted for my literature subject.

An pili na yan, tigsik ko

matagas buksan ga-gapô

kaipuhan nin martilyo

nganing mani makakan ko

An Arte sa Pagkakan Pili (2012) Pastel on paper 8x5.5’

In eating pili nut, you must have strength in opening it. One of the many ways in opening pili nut is hammering it until you get the nuts.

Tigsik ko si manay para babalaw

Pasiring daa siya duman sa Baao

Naglunad dyip, gabos nagmuraw-muraw

Mahamuton! Nagkurulob dungo, aw!

Parababalaw, Para! (2012) Pastel on paper 8x5.5’

Balaw is a paste from small shrimps that are fermented for several days. It has a strong salty and fishy smell. This is the main ingredient in making Bicol Express.

Tigsik ko an naggigibong koron

Dai nagtataram sa may pugon

Dawa mirindalan duwang toron

mga gibo gabos magagayon

Koron mî Toron (2012) Pastel on paper 8x5.5’

Coron or clay-pot is the local product of Tiwi, Albay. Toron is a banana wrapped in Lumpia wrapper then deep-fried that is perfect for afternoon snacks. There are many kinds of version of toron in Bikol. Some use sugar and some use sangkaka or sugarcane candy for sweetening.

For Art's Sake

 February, 4, 2012 -  I attended an art forum entitled "Natudan, Matudan - an Art Encounter" held at La Huerta de Rosario, Sta. Teresita Baao, Camarines Sur. The event was organized by a local artists based in Baao, Camarines Sur, Burikbutikan Group, Inc.. The forum was opened by Fr. Nunilon Bancaso, Jr, then followed by a lecture about art marketing and tips and techniques in promoting your own art by Sir Ron David, an art collector. In the second part, the forum featured Sir Emmanual Garibay, an expressionist and contemporary Filipino painter who's behind "Reunion", "Emmus", and "Mendiola Series". He himself explained his paintings to us and his style in making an art. He also demonstrated his talent in painting, live! Lucky the one who got the painting from a raffle draw. 

                       Manny Garibay demonstrating live in front of  amazed viewers

                                         Untitled painting of Manny Garibay, Acrylic on paper

                     My co-participants with the master and his wife and our teacher Sir Kristian Cordero


After the forum, we immediately went to Cafe des Artes, located in San Nicolas, Baao, where works of some national artists like, Amorsolo, HR Ocampo, Kiokok, and Bikolano artists like Cesar Gumba, Al Oliva, Paulix Robosa, Bidibidi, and Bembot Briones are exhibited for free. This is a big opportunity not just for the art enthusiast but also to all the Bikolanos who are greatly confined to the commercialism of the region.

Cafe des Artes

Amorsolo's 

This event is just a part of the starting revolution of introducing the local art to the world. It was indeed a great experience for me because it was just  ignited again my passion to the art. I hope the region will continue to hold this kind of event not just to promote the local and national arts and artists but also for the people to have the chance to appreciate artworks.