By Jason Neola

 

NAGA CITY, Philippines – Naga celebrates National Arts Month through the Karaw Festival, highlighted by the Kamotan Art Exhibit, which brings together the month of love and National Arts Month in one showcase.

This year’s exhibit, running from February 10 to 28, is being held at the Right Wing, second floor of the City Hall building.

Allen Reondanga, head of the City Events, Protocol, and Public Information Office (CEPPIO), said “Kamotan” is derived from the Bicol words kamot (hand) and muot (love).

He explained that it is the hand that draws, paints, builds, and shapes—turning ideas into reality—while love gives meaning not only to the work but also to the person creating it. Love, he said, is made visible through art crafted by hand.

In her speech during the opening of the exhibit, Mayor Leni Robredo described the event as a dream come true, as it was the product of collaboration among five arts groups in the city that chose to unite despite their differing priorities, ideas, and styles.

The participating arts groups are An Kintab Arts Group, Salingoy Art Group, Artists Media Artworks, Bicol Artists Tribe, and Quadrant Art Group.

The mayor said it is inspiring to see each arts group collaborating as a member of one big artistic family, helping one another. She added that this unity makes it easier for the city government to extend support and provide assistance to the local arts community.

Robredo also observed that the passion for art among Nagueños has been steadily growing, similar to the transformation seen in Manila’s art scene.

She noted that appreciation for art has changed significantly, with exhibits now drawing large audiences.

“My dream for Naga is to expose the young not only to visual arts but to all forms of art,” she said.