Baguio Artists Shine At Bookends Pasakalye Street Art Event

Baguio is a haven for artists. Maybe it’s the cool mountain air and the nippy weather that gets their creative juices flowing. Whatever the reasons may be, one thing is true – Baguio also loves their local artists.

“Pasakalye”

One such evidence of support and love for local artists is the recently launched street art festival dubbed “Pasakalye,” made possible through the initiatives of a local vintage and used bookshop called Bookends. Bookends owner Maricar A. Docyogen is insistent in clarifying that this is not just a Bookends event, but is an event of the circle of local Baguio artists that she is trying to help out.

Together with the Bookends Artist Circle and another artist group, GRIPO, Bookends launched Pasakalye 2, a street art festival, at T. Claudio Street, near UCPB Baguio, on September 24, with an exhibit and sale of different paintings and mixed media art, artist demonstrations, chalk art and collaborative painting between local artists and participants.

Reviving the love for Comics

The two-day event, which lasted until September 25, also featured the official launch of Daloy Comics, a limited edition comics featuring the work of National Comics Artist Danny Acuna, Gerald “Majic” Asbucan, Tor Saguid and Jennifer Cabaluna.

According to Ms. Docyogen, proceeds of the sale of the limited edition will be for the benefit of programs for local artists, such as the regular conduct of the Pasakalye event which Bookends hopes to do every weekend, weather permitting. Those who buy a copy of the comics were also treated to a free portrait sketch or caricatures by the comics artists.

Event For a Good Cause

The art event brought together local artists who displayed their masterpieces such as paintings and mixed media artworks which were of course for sale. Other artists also did pencil and watercolor sketches, while another demonstrated how he did his wire art. Some of the proceeds of the event will go to the purchase of art materials and tools for a local artist, Alex Musni, who despite his disability, wants to pursue his art.

Baguio residents and visitors can still catch Pasakalye every weekend if the weather is good. Head to Bookends on T. Claudio to mingle with local artists and perhaps even participate in a collaborative painting.