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I. INTRODUCTION

Art is a recreation that one can turn thoughts and emotions into a creative expression that is

poured out in a canvass or may be in any form of medium or practice. Creating art has evolved

through the years and is identified according to its purpose or inspiration, one factor involved is

culture. Arts and culture are interrelated to each other, wherein the people's interpretation of

these artworks can lead to different views, get answers on the origin of something, instill

emotions of appreciation or nostalgia. Art and culture shapes the manner on how we see and

understand the world around us (Nieto). Art influences our values and beliefs where a place can

feel a sense of belonging, provide unity, and creating a distinct quality that one can remember.

Arts in the Philippines has its cultural influences from Chinese, Indian, European and

American, yet, up until now Philippines is still enriched with various art forms such as literature,

painting, sculpture, architecture, music and dance, to libraries and museums. Amidst the foreign

influences, stated in the article of Living in The Philippines website, "By expressing the cultural

richness of the archipelago in all its diversity, Filipino artists have helped to shape a sense of

national identity." The traditions and culture are given importance as the National Commission

for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is funded for the objective in preserving and promoting the art

of the Philippines. Art is also academically studied by Filipinos to be more aware of different

traditions through different regions in the nation. Add to that, Filipinos are to know the most

prominent Philippine National Artists in history. What made it also significant is “Filipino art

deals with many challenges and realities of contemporary life in the Philippines, but it is also

deeply rooted in the multi-layered and colorful history, both recent and ancient.” (Lumbao 3). It

unfolds the past, make sense of the present, and gives reflection to be remembered in the future.
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The Philippines has led arts from one locality to another, it has concluded by the research paper

of Cruz, that conservation of cultural heritage drives economic development and will not be a

hindrance in urban development in the nation (13). Focusing a locality that gained a successful

start is the Ormoc City Museum (the Old City Hall in the late 1940s) that got into recognition as

it was established on 2018. Mayor Richard Gomez announced in the article found in Rappler that

“We would like to educate the Ormocanon’s especially our youth the importance of our own

culture. It represents our history and our identity.” - as its purpose. The emergence of the Ormoc

City Museum has been a heritage that made a home for artists in the locality. Due to foreign

artworks that led inside the museum, cultural elements and its significance are identified from

the pieces made by Ormocanon artists that have brought to share their practices.
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II. DEVELOPMENT

The artists are asked what cultural elements are applied in their works, how does the locality

(Ormoc) inspire them, and lastly, their role as an artist in the locality.

Starting off with the member of Ormoc City Visual Artists Association (OCVAA) and a

Contemporary Arts teacher Hareol Tero, the cultural elements he applied are: Attributes of the

Ormocanon people, personal experiences, and observations in the community. Inspiration:

family, socio-cultural themes, and social realism Role as an artist in the locality: “One thing is

for sure, I want to inspire people, and my students, and also to promote the importance of art in

expressing personal beliefs and emotions amongst people- my fellow Ormocanon”

Figure 1. Three of the suggested paintings that relate to

Ormoc by Hareol Tero

Racquel Bragas (OCVAA member)

cultural elements applied: Events in Ormoc, Ormocanon’s everyday activities. Inspiration:

“Generally all beautiful and wonderful things to see and experience in Ormoc”. Role as an

artist: “..let people from other places know that they can see many beautiful things, places as

well as people here and in turn help promote tourism. Most importantly let others know that art

is very much alive and active in Ormoc City.”

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Figure 2. A festive painting by Racquel Bragas

Efren Enolva (painter) shared the cultural elements applied: Events of the society, be

concerned and aware of the activities that relate to art. Inspiration: Environment “…it reflects

uniqueness and creativity of your perfections especially in every daily routine that surrounds

you.” Role as an artist: “To define beauty around us. To be aware of being part of it in order to

let the people be aware and concerned of the given privilege in our time.”

Figure 3. “Linaw sa Hawanan” by Efren M. Enolva

Rocelo Montesclaros (a watercolorist) cultural elements applied: Ormoc and its scenery,

“…because as time pass by there comes changes like buildings, streets, park, everything is

changing, I want to document everything through my paintings to give everyone something to

remember to, cause’ I believe every place has memories built in it” Inspiration: “As a resident
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and a local artist, my affection and love for the city is big, it gives me a sense of responsibility to

the community, to educate them about art…” Role as an artist: “Artists speak through art, they

made people see the beauty in everything even in the simplest things, things that are

unnoticeable, they are the creator of beauty, and I think that is our role to the society.”

Figure 4. The cultural house (left) and

"Bougainvilla” (right) by Rocelo Montesclaros

Emarson Tangil (a college student of Eastern Visayas State University) cultural elements

applied: daily observations seen in Ormoc. Inspiration: the qualities of the Ormocanon people.

Role as an artist: “Make people proud and inspired. I can convey messages through my works.”

Figure 5. “The Beauty of Ormoc City” (left) and “Hoping” (right) by

Emarson Tangil
“Ormoc by
Landscape”
Publio BoybyBriones
RamonJr.
V. De Dios
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“Lake Side” by Audie Estrellada “Anilao Bridge” by Ariel Caratao

“City Plaza” by Carlos Florido

Donated artworks by Cebu artists during their art event tour with the Ormoc
City Visuals Artists Association (OCVAA)

Subject: Ormoc Landmarks

III. CONCLUSION

As the recognition of art came into Ormoc, the identified cultural indicators that gained

majority is the scenery or notable landmarks of Ormoc, followed by events then observations..

The interpretation of these artworks play a significant role in the awareness, distinction of Ormoc

City’s identity, and leaves a great reminder for the Ormocanons on how beautiful the city is.
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Therefore, the pieces inside the museum bring significance to the culture of Ormoc City, it helps

preserve and pass the heritage by generation to generation.

IV. REFERENCES

“Culture & Arts.” Living in the Philippines, https://www.livinginthephilippines.com/culture-and-

people/philippineculture/969-culture-arts

Bonifacio, Jazmin. ‘People’s Museum’ seeks to preserve identity of Ormoc City.Rappler,

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10 Mar. 2018, https;//www.google.com/amp/s/amp.rappler.com/nation/197796-peoples-

museum-ormoc-leyte?espv=1

Cruz, Geoffrey.”Arts and Culture: Heritage,Practices amd Futures” 8, July 2019, p. 13. PDF file.

Lumbao, Coco. Wasak! Filipino Art Today. DISTANZ Verlag, 2015.

Nieto, John.”The Relationship Between Art and Culture”.Contemporary Fine Art Blog,

24 Jan. 2017, blog.nietofineart.com/relationship-between-art-and-culture/