Palawan artists show concern for environment in exhibit

OUTRAGED by the national government's decision to release the Chinese poachers who slaughtered dozens of marine turtles early this year in the Tubbataha Reefs, Palawan artists are calling the government's attention through an exhibit, "Pulang Dagat," which portrays the destruction of marine resources in the country's only national marine park.

"There's blood in our seas," says Jonathan Benitez, one of the artists who recently formed the Concerned Artists for the Environment or CAFE.

He says the exhibit is dubbed as such because the sea is crying for help. "It also symbolizes anger and death of marine species." Incidentally, red is also the color of the flag of the People's Republic of China where most of the poachers came.

"We're artists. We have to air our grievances according to what we do," Benitez says.

Each participant showcases two pieces of experimental mixed media paintings, 3x4 feet in size.

Elegy

Benitez's works are entitled "Elegy to Tubbataha Reef" and "In Memoriam." The first painting depicts a bleeding turtle with a child on the background.

Benitez says his painting is like a sad poem about the slaughtered turtles. "Tubbataha is a sacred ground. Killing the turtles is a disrespect to nature.''

The other painting shows a large background in blue with a small drawing of a turtle.

Another CAFE fellow, Pat Marquez Jr., says, "These creatures are asking for their territorial right. Their habitats are devastated because of these poachers and other Filipinos who continue to divest the seas of natural resources through illegal means."

His painting entitled "Territorial Cry," shows the silhouette of a woman wearing a veil against a wave of red sea infested with dead fish and other marine resources.

Instead of birds, turtles are flying with blood tears in their eyes. On the background are Chinese fishing boats.

The work of Dan Harabadas, another CAFE founder, is entitled "Daing ng Dagat," which is a portrait of dried, slaughtered turtles.

"Bartolina" by Charles Wandag depicts the solitary confinement confronting the Philippines as a result of the monthly Chinese invasions.

"We wish that this rape of our land and seas be stopped before it's too late," Wandag said.

CAFE, a coalition of artists, intends to showcase artworks focusing on social themes that support protest actions, conferences and community activities related to environmental issues.

"Pulang Dagat" is ongoing until Jan. 3 at the Palawan Museum in Puerto Princesa City.