Guagua town to host 11th Dukit Festival on May 17

GUAGUA— Mayor Dante Torres said that this town’s 11 Dukit Festival will be held on May 17 in line with 427th Aldo Ning Balen Guagua celebrat i ons.

The event aims to promote the woodcarving industry among the younger generation and the woodcarving industry here as a tourism destination, according to Torres. The event is also expected to feature an exhibit of the best woodcarving products of the town from ecclesiastical and religious art to furniture and art accents.

“This event will show the ingenuity of Betis woodcarvers, the traditions that are passed on from generation to generation, and the dilemma of holding on to the tradition in the age of mechanical reproduction and modern technology,” Torres added.

In the previous celebrations, the Dukit Festival was held at Barangay Sta. Ursula Betis here and was participated by best woodcarvers of the district. Wood carvers from the Wood Carvers Guild of Sta. Ursula Betis and the Woodcarvers of Betis Multipurpose Cooperative are expected to participate.

Known wood carver and Presidential Merit Awardee for Ecclesiastical Art Willy Layug said that woodcarving has become a major industry here generating millions each year.

However, Layug laments that lesser younger people are going into the trade, adding that there are also less attention towards the continuing education of woodcarvers as artists rather than mere craftsmen.

“The event hopes to highlight the creative and artistic aspect of the craft and attract more people into this art form. We also hope to bring woodcarving here into a whole new level and bring more attention towards education and improvement of skills of woodcarvers and attract tourists and buyers,” Layug said.

Guagua’s Betis District of this town is known for its woodcarving industry that has grown from furniture, religious and installation art.