Museo Pulong Kabyawan, an art institution in Pulilan, Bulacan, mounts another exhibit, this time featuring works by known Bulakeño visual artists.

Pinta sa Nayon: Artistic Expression of Filipino Identity, which opened on 29 November 2024, showcases selected works of nine artists who are either natives of Bulacan or call the predominantly Tagalog province in Central Luzon their home. These include JD Castro, Demetrio Diego, Miguel Galvez, Dan Macapugay, Erwin Mallari, Martin Manero, Jose Marasigan, Edu Perreras and Edgar Santiago.

While all of them are known artists, at least two are considered masters — Diego of Pulilan, one of the Thirteen Moderns, and Galvez, an award-winning painter from Paombong.

The exhibit is being held at KwARTong Munti Little Gallery of Museo Pulong Kabyawan, the art and lifestyle museum located inside the Pulong Kabyawan Agricultural Farm in the barangay of Inaon.

Part of the proceeds goes to the yearly “Palaro ng Lahi,” an indigenous games contest, and a gift-giving activity to children residing at communities around Pulong Kabyawan.

The exhibited works depict rural scenes and life that Pulilan is known for. They evoke yearning for the simple life amid today’s cacophony of developments of different types, industrial, commercial, and residential. It likewise brings to fore environmental protection, love for nature, and the importance of art in stoking consciousness to preserve what needs to be preserved and striking a balance between heritage protection and development.

The opening program was marked by an art talk by Susie Garcia, Museo ng Baliwag curator; a song number by kundiman singer Andrea Joaquin; and the Pulong Kabyawan staple, the pagbabayo ceremony.

The exhibit runs until the end of January 2025. Pulong Kabyawan Agricultural Farm is open Fridays to Sundays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.