Victorias City Unveils Artwork Celebrating Sugarcane Cutter as Symbolic Leader
Victorias City – In Negros Occidental, Victorias City has paid tribute to the tapasero (sugarcane cutter) as a symbol of inspirational leadership through a unique art installation titled ‘Manugdala sang Solo’ (Torch Bearer). The artwork, unveiled during the inauguration of the Victorias Sidlak Artists’ Park, was created by local award-winning artist Dennis Valenciano. It features a modern rendition of a sugarcane cutter, complete with a ninja mask and a sugarcane torch, set against a backdrop of origami birds.
According to Philippines News Agency, Valenciano explained that his creation is a contemporary interpretation of the tapasero, representing a leader who motivates and directs others towards their goals. The art installation recognizes the vital role of thousands of tapasero who work annually in the extensive sugarcane plantations of Negros Occidental, the region known as the Philippines’ sugar capital.
The Victorias Sidlak Artists’ Park, where the artwork is located, was established on the right side of the public plaza in Victorias City. This development followed a grant of PHP 1.5 million received from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Department of Trade and Industry in October. The grant was awarded as part of the ‘Lunsod Lunsad: A Call for Creative Proposals’ Program, aimed at promoting sustainable cultural and tourism development. The Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office submitted the park project to feature local artists and support micro-businesses in the area.
Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, alongside his uncle, 3rd District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez, led the unveiling ceremony. Mayor Benitez remarked on the burgeoning artistic revolution in Victorias, envisioning the city as a future hub for the creative industry in Negros Occidental. He expressed his ambition for Victorias City to become a significant player in the national creative industry revolution. Additionally, as the chair of the House committee on creative industries, he affirmed his commitment to supporting Victorias in achieving its aspirations to be recognized as a city of culture and a center for creative industries and innovation.