The reborn of Kapwa: in honor of Katrin de Guia

BAGUIO CITY — The local creative community of Baguio filled the mountain breeze with a sense of intellectual homecoming during the re-launching of Kapwa: The Self in the Other, in celebration of the life and works of Katrin de Guia.

The launch was conducted in the early evening of May 14 at Mt. Cloud Bookstore. The date was chosen to coincide with the birthday of the book’s author, Katrin de Guia.

National Artist Kidlat Tahimik described the author’s unique role as a cultural bridge. He noted that while many know her through the lens of a prominent artistic family, her true legacy lies in her ability to connect formal scholarship with the raw, lived experiences of traditional artists. To Tahimik, de Guia was not merely a researcher, but a weaver of disparate realities.

The National Artist emphasized that de Guia’s work moved beyond mere documentation, providing a spiritual and intellectual framework for understanding what it means to be Filipino. Her exploration of indigenous consciousness, he argued, remains a vital shield against cultural erasure in a globalized world.

Acclaimed Palanca awardee Frank Cimatu shifted the focus to the versatile artistry that informed de Guia’s writing. He reminded the audience that the author’s insights were shaped not only in libraries, but also through her hands-on work with stained glass and performance art.

Such an artist-scholar hybridity, Cimatu noted, allowed her to perceive patterns of consciousness that traditional academics might overlook.

He cited the international reach of de Guia’s creative pursuits, recalling her performance projects in Korea and on various global platforms. These multifaceted experiences, he said, were instrumental in shaping the depth of the Kapwa text.

Cimatu added that by bringing a global perspective back to local roots, de Guia validated Filipino identity on the world stage while maintaining its indigenous integrity.

The re-released edition, originally supported by the Toyota Foundation, was presented as a necessary compass for the youth.