Whenever I hear the words gongs, smoke, blood, and earth, they conjure up an image of a ritual in the Mountain Province.
As the men beat the gongs, with their sounds reverberating throughout the community, the women dance to the harmonies.
With smoke billowing from the hearth in a dap-ayan, the ritual commences with the elder sacrificing the pig or chicken, with its blood hitting the earth as an offering to the guardian spirits.
I lived in Baguio City during my college days, and even years after graduating, I still consider the City of Pines my second home.
People often keep coming back to Baguio for a mix of reasons—its cool climate, scenic mountain views, rich cultural heritage, vibrant local food scene, and nostalgic atmosphere that blends tradition and modernity. For many, it offers a peaceful escape from the heat and pace of city life.
From a personal perspective, I keep coming back to Baguio because of its strong sense of communal spirit and its quietly pulsing creative energy. There is something grounding about the way the people connect—with each other, with the land, and with the traditions that shape their everyday life.
Whether it is the warmth of a local coffee shop conversation, the art tucked into alleyways, or the quiet resilience of the weavers and woodcarvers, Baguio feels like a city that lives through shared stories and acts of creation.
It’s not just a place—it is a cultural harmony, and returning to it feels like stepping back into a familiar, soulful tempo.
Through the years, Baguio has changed a lot. But its charm remains the same for me. I can still feel the communal spirit that prevails among its people.
This is what Gongs. Smoke. Blood. Earth. exhibit at the Ateneo Art Gallery feels like to me.
The exhibition explores the history and cultural contexts of Baguio art dating back to the founding of the Baguio Arts Guild in 1986, up to the current zeitgeist with artists who have emerged or have been influenced by the guild.
It will feature new and existing works that underscore the concept of “indio-genius,” highlighting the resilience of Filipino people, particularly its indigenous communities.
The idea for this exhibit started two years ago after the launch of the book Tiw-tiwong: an Uncyclopedia to Life, Living, and Art, in Baguio, the Cordilleras and Beyond, which was published by Baguio Kunst Publishing.
Gongs. Smoke. Blood. Earth. serves as an extension of the book, exploring the relationship between indigenous communities and the artist — whether schooled or unschooled.
Kawayan de Guia, who serves as the curator of the exhibit, hopes that the audience will essentially understand what Baguio art is, its history, and where it is heading.
“There have been a lot of exhibits in galleries and museums featuring Baguio artists, but as individuals. There has not been something of this sort that encapsulates a holistic view of Baguio art,” shared de Guia.
A highlight in this exhibition of Baguio art is a recreation of Santiago Bose’s Bamboo Radar, and a reenactment of Roberto Villanueva’s last installation, Earth Song.
The show features works of other founding members of the guild, such as National Artist Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera, National Artist Kidlat Tahimik, Tommy Hafalla, Rene Aquitania, Willy Magtibay, and Perry Mamaril, alongside Katrin de Guia, Carlo Villafuerte, John Frank Sabado, Rocky Cajigan, Nona Garcia, Leonard Aguinaldo, Dehon Taguyungon, Gail Vicente, Randy Gawwi, Kawayan de Guia, Abbie SJ Lara, Bong Sanchez, Irene Bawer Bimuyag, and Rogelio Guinannoy.
The Ateneo Art Gallery (AAG) will also organize public programs in line with Gongs. Smoke. Blood. Earth. Future events include a lineup of an ArtSpeak round table discussion with artists; film screenings by Kidlat Tahimik, Egay Navarro and Rica Concepcion, Kidlat de Guia, Abbie SJ Lara, Mervine Aquino, Ruben Domingo, and Angel Velasco Shaw; and a mosaic workshop by Kabunyan de Guia, Olie Olivete, and Guiler Lagac of The Mighty Bhutens.
Further details on the public programs will be announced through AAG’s platforms.
Gongs. Smoke. Blood. Earth. is presented in collaboration with the Victor Oteyza Community Art Space (VOCAS) Foundation and Baguio Kunst Book Publishing.
The exhibit runs until 20 July 2025, at the third floor (3F) galleries of the Ateneo Art Gallery.
Guests who will be visiting the show throughout its run are highly encouraged to contribute handkerchiefs for Robert Villanueva’s piece, which will be recreated by Gail Vicente for this exhibition.
For further inquiries, contact Ateneo Art Gallery at aag@ateneo.edu or call (02) 8426 6488.
