KINABUHI: OMPO AND SUYAM OF AGUSAN MANOBO ART EXHIBIT OPENS IN RABAT

The Philippine Embassy in Rabat celebrated the National Indigenous Peoples Month and Museums and Galleries Month through the opening of an art exhibit titled Kinabuhi: Ompo and Suyam of Agusan Manobo on 12 October 2022 at the Université Internationale de Rabat (UIR).

Ambassador Leslie J. Baja, Mr. Carlito Camahalan Amalla, and Counselor and Chief of Staff of the Office of the University President Mr. Abdelhafid Debbarh pose behind suyam ceramic sculptures.

The three-day exhibit features the vibrant culture of the Agusan-Manobo indigenous peoples group through the paintings, ceramic sculptures, and drawings of Mr. Carlito Camahallan Amalla, as well as suyam textiles and accessories. The art pieces represent the centuries-old tradition of the Agusan-Manobo tribe and the interwoven elements of kinabuhi which means life or relief, suyam – a traditional embroidery style of the Agusan-Manobo tribe, and ompo which represents a god or a sentinel who wards off evil spirits and keeps watch over the people.

Suyam textiles and accessories from Agusan del Norte.

Mr. Amalla with some of his paintings depicting the traditional attire of the Agusan-Manobo tribe.

Mr. Amalla hails from Agusan del Norte and is currently an Assistant Professor of the Design Foundation Department at the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde. Among his many accomplishments and recognitions, Mr. Amalla received the “Distinguished Alumnus in Community Empowerment Award” from the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in 2016, and the “2020 Outstanding Leadership in Culture and the Arts Award” in New York. He is also a Cultural Goodwill Ambassador whose works were exhibited in Wales, Gent, London, and New York.

Mr. Debbarh delivers his remarks for the opening ceremony of the art exhibit.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Abdelhafid Debbarh, Counselor and Chief of Staff of the Office of the University President, congratulated the Philippine Embassy for hosting its first art exhibit in Morocco and for choosing UIR as its partner for the event. He also expressed hope for a continued partnership between the university and the Embassy through cultural activities and programs that would foster deeper understanding between the Philippines and Morocco. Finally, he conveyed the university’s willingness to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Philippine universities to improve people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Ambassador Baja delivers his remarks for the opening ceremony of the art exhibit.

Ambassador Leslie J. Baja, in his remarks, conveyed his gratitude to the International University of Rabat and the UIR Art Club for graciously co-hosting the exhibition.

Mr. Amalla plays the suling for the guests, students, faculty, and staff from UIR. (Photo courtesy of Morocco World News)

The highlight of the opening ceremony was Mr. Amalla’s performance of a traditional Agusan-Manobo dance and chant. He also serenaded the crowd with panawagtawag literally translated as “calling” using suling, a traditional bamboo flute from Agusan. The performance was well received by guests, especially the university students, as they took photos and videos and interacted with the artist during the performance.

(Photo courtesy of Morocco World News)

After the opening ceremony, guests expressed interest and enthusiasm in knowing more about the art pieces as they actively interacted with Mr. Amalla and curator Mr. Alain Zedrick Camiling, Chairperson of the Arts Management Program at De La Salle College of Saint Benilde.

The art exhibit was well received by students, faculty, and staff from UIR, as well as members of the diplomatic corps and Filipino community who attended the opening ceremony. END