The UP Visayas (UPV) Cultural Mapping of Panay, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental Project (CMPG) has opened to the public the visual highlights of its executed cultural mapping in Western Visayas at Northpoint, SM City Iloilo on May 19, 2025.
With its theme Kasanag sang Kultura: Western Visayas sa Mata sang Kamera, the photo exhibit showcases a collection of works by CMPG Documentarian Marc Leo Layson, whose photographs offer a glimpse into the tangible and intangible legacies of Panay, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental.
About 40 selected photos, each frame featuring unspoken stories and fading memories of the region’s cultural heritage, were unveiled in its formal launch. The exhibition will run until May 25, 2025. It is one of the several upcoming events organized by the project in connection with the celebration of National Heritage Month this May 2025.
“For many years, cities, even countries, have always had to set their priorities for development. Unfortunately, culture, arts, and history are always left on the back burner. This photo exhibit hopes to finally put into the light that culture and heritage, especially in Western Visayas, should be given a focus or ‘kasanag,’ and I hope that everyone can lead to the understanding that culture defines our identity and leads to development,” Layson said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the photo exhibition.
The exhibit’s ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by special guests, including UP Visayas Chancellor Clement Camposano, Teresita Caballero of the IP Community, Provincial Tourism Officer Gilbert Marin, and representatives from UPV-CMPG’s partner state universities and colleges, ISUFST Project Coordinator Prof. Genevieve Santorio-Palmares, ISAT-U Study Leader Dr. Joselito Trandio P. Mendoza, and CapSu Study Leader Ronilo Berondo. Also present were UPV-CMPG’s consultants Dr. Aurora Fe Bautista and Dr. Randy Madrid, and study leaders Mr. Sashah Dioso and Prof. Marie Frances Nievales.
The photo exhibit team is led by Layson, together with Prof. Martin Genodepa and Ms. Anna Razel Ramirez. It was made possible with the support of CMPG staff Andrea Rochelle Balingit, Aodh Joash Alegoro, Chrystal Mohsen Zaki, Choncey Talledo, Daniel de la Cruz, Dennis Daniel, Jr., Michelle Villavert, Ma. Therese Taghap, Rhodney Porilo, and Romnick Bagolcol. This is done in collaboration with state universities, national government agencies, and local government units (LGUs) across the region, with SM City Iloilo’s partnership, and media support from the Daily Guardian and Bombo Radyo Iloilo.
The exhibit is part of a cultural initiative by Senator Loren B. Legarda, the main proponent of the Cultural Mapping Law and the brain behind the CMPG project.
CMPG is inviting community members, tourists, artists, photographers, and the general public to visit the exhibit and immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of Western Visayas.
Written by CMPG, UP Visayas
Photo by: Dagyang Photography/ Franz Felicio
