Picture Gallery
November 19, 2010
Community Profile
municipality of Oton formerly known as "Ogtong," was the first settlement
established in Panay during the Spanish Period which later became the seat of
the Alcadia de Panay until the year 1581.
Oton today is only 10.6 kilometers away or 15 minutes drive from the city. It is
the gateway to the southern part of Iloilo province. Its stately municipality is
made up of 37 barangays distributed to its land area measuring to 8,456
hectares.
In a part of the country where histories tend to be ancient an rich, Oton is
unique in having the earliest and richest in Iloilo.
History states that Oton was the seat of Madia-as Confederation in Panay under
Datu Paiburong. It was then one of the few places in Panay where civilization
first started and the Batiano River, then a flourishing Malay Port was where the
trading among the Malays, the natives, and the Chinese merchants took
place.(Provincial Tourism Office)
Pugad: Artist’s Village
For about 19 years Pugad had hatched a number of Pugad Artists and mostly called "Pugad Boys”.
Life is a journey wandering in this world. We could have a rewarding journey or disappointment trip depending on how you plan your itineraries.
This is what our story along with our journey to the Pugad:
Artist’s Village.
As we travel from the town proper of Oton going to Brgy. Lambuyao, Oton, we have so many questions and so excited to be at the PUGAD. We travel almost 15 minutes to reach the place. The barangay Lambuyao where the Artist
As we stepped out from our vehicle, we saw few boys sitting at the
bahay kubo. These are young artists honed and inspired by our very own Mr.
Gregorio “Boy” Masculino. The man behind the rise of PUGAD. The place is very
simple, located near the barangay road and surrounded by rice fields at the
back, yet we saw many masterpieces and art works at their simple display area.
They welcomed us with a smile and let us feel the ambiance of the place and
fresh air and serenity. Before we started our interview, we are introduced to
this special man in the Pugad. A man full of courage and determination that
proved that being handicapped is not a key to be left alone…
What amazed us was this man, named Judel Encio, 2.6 feet high, born
on 1984. His feet are too short that hindrances him to walk like a normal man
can do. But his disabilities did not stop him to master his craft and be known
to the whole Region VI- Western Visayas as well as to the foreigners who are
visiting the place. He is a master of making terracotta beads. At first he was
too shy to be on video. As our conversation goes along, he allowed us and he
feel comfortable sharing his expertise to us. According to him, when he stopped
schooling he felt that he is very different from other children. He felt that
self-pity and lost of hope. He is too shy to go out because of his disabilities.
When he wants to go to other places somebody should carry him like a child.
One day, Manong Boy asks him if he wants to join the group, during
that time, he can be seen on the street with other out -of -school youth of the
community doing nothing. That was the start of his journey, and the start of
discovering his talents and capabilities.
Lastly, we have learned…
Gregorio “Boy” Masculino. The man behind the rise of PUGAD. The place is very
simple, located near the barangay road and surrounded by rice fields at the
back, yet we saw many masterpieces and art works at their simple display area.
They welcomed us with a smile and let us feel the ambiance of the place and
fresh air and serenity. Before we started our interview, we are introduced to
this special man in the Pugad. A man full of courage and determination that
proved that being handicapped is not a key to be left alone…
What amazed us was this man, named Judel Encio, 2.6 feet high, born
on 1984. His feet are too short that hindrances him to walk like a normal man
can do. But his disabilities did not stop him to master his craft and be known
to the whole Region VI- Western Visayas as well as to the foreigners who are
visiting the place. He is a master of making terracotta beads. At first he was
too shy to be on video. As our conversation goes along, he allowed us and he
feel comfortable sharing his expertise to us. According to him, when he stopped
schooling he felt that he is very different from other children. He felt that
self-pity and lost of hope. He is too shy to go out because of his disabilities.
When he wants to go to other places somebody should carry him like a child.
that time, he can be seen on the street with other out -of -school youth of the
community doing nothing. That was the start of his journey, and the start of
discovering his talents and capabilities.
Lastly, we have learned…
All those whom we meet on our life's journey have an impact on us.
Whether positive or not, these people touch us and add something new to our life
experience. This helps us to grow as individuals and to gather more from life,
so that we can then share with those whom we love and with those who are around
us. Life is unstoppable - we are unable to stop the passage of time, or change
certain events and circumstances around us.
November 18, 2010
November 17, 2010
An interview with Mr. Gregorio "Boy" Masculino
Question 1: Pugad artist has been in existence for quite sometime now. Can you say something about it, like how did it came to be and why the name Pugad? How long have you been around?
BM: In 1991 Pugad was realized, explosion of the Gulf war and the eruption of Mount Pinatubo gave me the sign to stay ( in the Philippines) for good. For good because serving the community is more than the dollar I earned.
Pugad is an artist haven, where anybody could “hatch their ideas and dreams”. Pugad is a nesting place for all ages. A combination of contemporary, superstitious and traditional beliefs is practiced. We don’t have boundaries for art but we respect democratic practices as well.For about 19 years Pugad had hatched a number of Pugad Artists and mostly called “Pugad Boys”
Question 2. What works of art do you do?
Sculptures and Terracotta beads. Now we give more time on stone sculptures, mural painting souvenir items, trophies and terracotta bracelets, etc.
Question 3. Do you consider your work as industry or do you have a steady clientele that you feel obliged to cater? Can you mention your lists of clients so far?
BM: In Pugad, we consider two things. Our arts and our crafts. Our art pieces are usually created with emotions and concepts. Our crafts are done with the collaboration of the clientele and our own concept of the project.
The Municipality of Oton, DSWD Region VI, Museo Iloilo even international clientele to name a few as our clientele.
Questions 4. In the market world, what are the challenges that you encountered in marketing your products?
BM: The consciousness of the Ilonggos with regards to art is far from the interest of the people in Manila and abroad. Although we do artwork, we are not much affected when marketing our crafts and arts. Even though, today there many artworks run by technology, we till believe that our work is beyond compare.
Question 5: What measures would you recommend to the government to the government, local and national to promote and protect your work and that of other Ogtonganon and Filipino Artists?
BM: Artists are destined to starve” According to one writer. We have great and famous artists. The government I suggest can extend big help to the visual arts, performing arts and our culture and history. It’s sad to know that a great but frustrated artist like Vincent Van Gogh should die first and be recognized as master of the brush, and to be great and famous.
To start we should start to know our roots and culture. It’s good if we can retrieve our arts and artifacts of our history and culture like the one we have, the gold mask which is now at the national museum. Then we can organize culture bearers and artists to help the promising artist to create a good form of art. Art for service to the community and not only art for fame. The government now can collect and document works from all forms of art.
Question 6: How do you see the future of artists like you given our economically challenging times?
BM: Artists are the agents of change. Artists create the beauty and development of the world and also design the destruction our minds, values, our culture and our lifestyle. We, the Pugad artist are quite sure that we can survive, that we can grow and become a big flock or artist to migrate to other places. The hatching ideas and dreams will continue because our chicks will grow and make their own “Pugad” for the future.
Question 7: What message can you impart to the young artists particularly your kasimanwa?
BM: Be yourself… express your feelings and emotions through clay, stone,canvass or whatever medium or art form you want. Make art pieces with love and care. Do not think of money ahead of your work. Art critics and writer for journalists donot measure our value and our fame alone but also by god and he whole society itself.
Let you creation of art be the instrument of change to the development of our town and our nation. OGTONGANONS- our history and culture is our strength.
Our experiences...
Life is a journey wandering in this world. We could have a rewarding journey or disappointment trip depending on how you plan your itineraries.
This is what our story along with our journey to the Pugad: Artist’s Village.
As we travel from the town proper of Oton going to Brgy. Lambuyao, Oton, we have so many questions and so excited to be at the PUGAD. We travel almost 15 minutes to reach the place. The barangay Lambuyao where the Artist Village is located.
As we stepped out from our vehicle, we saw few boys sitting at the bahay kubo. These are young artists honed and inspired by our very own Mr. Gregorio “Boy” Masculino. The man behind the rise of PUGAD. The place is very simple, located near the barangay road and surrounded by rice fields at the back, yet we saw many masterpieces and art works at their simple display area. They welcomed us with a smile and let us feel the ambiance of the place and fresh air and serenity. Before we started our interview, we are introduced to this special man in the Pugad. A man full of courage and determination that proved that being handicapped is not a key to be left alone…
What amazed us was this man, named Judel Encio, 2.6 feet high, born on 1984. His feet are too short that hindrances him to walk like a normal man can do. But his disabilities did not stop him to master his craft and be known to the whole Region VI- Western Visayas as well as to the foreigners who are visiting the place. He is a master of making terracotta beads. At first he was too shy to be on video. As our conversation goes along, he allowed us and he feel comfortable sharing his expertise to us. According to him, when he stopped schooling he felt that he is very different from other children. He felt that self-pity and lost of hope. He is too shy to go out because of his disabilities. When he wants to go to other places somebody should carry him like a child.
One day, Manong Boy asks him if he wants to join the group, during that time, he can be seen on the street with other out -of -school youth of the community doing nothing. That was the start of his journey, and the start of discovering his talents and capabilities.
Lastly, we have learned that…
All those whom we meet on our life's journey have an impact on us. Whether positive or not, these people touch us and add something new to our life experience. This helps us to grow as individuals and to gather more from life, so that we can then share with those whom we love and with those who are around us. Life is unstoppable - we are unable to stop the passage of time, or change certain events and circumstances around us.
This is what our story along with our journey to the Pugad: Artist’s Village.
As we travel from the town proper of Oton going to Brgy. Lambuyao, Oton, we have so many questions and so excited to be at the PUGAD. We travel almost 15 minutes to reach the place. The barangay Lambuyao where the Artist Village is located.
As we stepped out from our vehicle, we saw few boys sitting at the bahay kubo. These are young artists honed and inspired by our very own Mr. Gregorio “Boy” Masculino. The man behind the rise of PUGAD. The place is very simple, located near the barangay road and surrounded by rice fields at the back, yet we saw many masterpieces and art works at their simple display area. They welcomed us with a smile and let us feel the ambiance of the place and fresh air and serenity. Before we started our interview, we are introduced to this special man in the Pugad. A man full of courage and determination that proved that being handicapped is not a key to be left alone…
What amazed us was this man, named Judel Encio, 2.6 feet high, born on 1984. His feet are too short that hindrances him to walk like a normal man can do. But his disabilities did not stop him to master his craft and be known to the whole Region VI- Western Visayas as well as to the foreigners who are visiting the place. He is a master of making terracotta beads. At first he was too shy to be on video. As our conversation goes along, he allowed us and he feel comfortable sharing his expertise to us. According to him, when he stopped schooling he felt that he is very different from other children. He felt that self-pity and lost of hope. He is too shy to go out because of his disabilities. When he wants to go to other places somebody should carry him like a child.
One day, Manong Boy asks him if he wants to join the group, during that time, he can be seen on the street with other out -of -school youth of the community doing nothing. That was the start of his journey, and the start of discovering his talents and capabilities.
Lastly, we have learned that…
All those whom we meet on our life's journey have an impact on us. Whether positive or not, these people touch us and add something new to our life experience. This helps us to grow as individuals and to gather more from life, so that we can then share with those whom we love and with those who are around us. Life is unstoppable - we are unable to stop the passage of time, or change certain events and circumstances around us.
When it started touching lives...
According to Mr. Gregorio "Boy" Masculino, in 1991 Pugad was realized. The explosion of the Gulf war and the eruption of MountPinatubo gave me the sign to stay ( in the Philippines) for good.For good because serving the community is more than the dollar I earned. Pugad is an artist haven, where anybody could “hatch their ideas and dreams”. Pugad is a nesting place for all ages. A combination of contemporary, superstitious and traditional beliefs is practiced. We don’t have boundaries for art but we respect democratic practices as well. For about 19 years Pugad had hatched a number of Pugad Artists and mostly called “Pugad Boys”.
