Art Preservation & Exhibition Advocacy in Mabalacat
Mabalacat artist raises awareness about neglect of local art and artists, advocating for proper display venues and art preservation.
This article features Mabalacat City artist Dodjie Aguinaldo's advocacy through his latest diorama artwork, which highlights the perceived neglect of local artworks and the lack of proper display venues in the city. Aguinaldo, an art advocate and adviser, created a powerful diorama depicting the old municipal hall (Tabnuan) as a "ruined, abandoned structure" to reflect how arts and culture are often forgotten by local institutions.
Tabnuan was previously designated as a cultural hub and exhibition hall by the previous city administration to house artworks by local artists. The space was developed with contributions from cultural personalities including Alex Del Rosario of the Center for Kapampangan Studies. However, the artworks displayed at Tabnuan were removed and stored without proper care or notification to the artists. The building has since been converted into a conference hall and coffee shop, abandoning its cultural mission.
Aguinaldo's advocacy aims to raise awareness about art preservation and the importance of respecting local artists and their works. He is the founder of Sining Mabalacat (Mabalacat Artists Collective) and Sibul Ning Kalalangan, an art group for young artists. Through his diorama and social media posts, he urges city leaders to be more mindful of art preservation and to treat artists with respect. His July post went viral and drew strong reactions from artists in Mabalacat City and beyond, demonstrating community concern for cultural development.