Ilonggo Artists Honor Oton Heritage in Manila Exhibit

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A group of contemporary artists from Oton, Iloilo is bringing their hometown’s rich cultural heritage to the nation’s capital through a striking exhibit at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Gallery in Intramuros, Manila.

Titled “KITA ANG TAMUNG: UGAT AT PAMANA,” the exhibition by the Ogtonganon Visual Artists League Inc. (OVAL) showcases a vibrant mix of collaborative and individual works that reflect the identity, traditions, and precolonial legacy of Oton.

The exhibit is curated by John Delan L. Robillos and features 13 Ilonggo artists from Oton, each honoring local heritage through powerful pieces that celebrate identity, memory, and tradition.

Drawing from the Hiligaynon phrase “Kita ang Tamung” (We are the Shield), the artists—cultural guardians in their own right—showcase the enduring legacy of Oton, with special attention to the age-old art of hablon weaving.

At the center of the exhibit is a 6-by-8-foot collaborative artwork reimagining the Oton Gold Death Mask, a pre-Hispanic artifact unearthed in Barangay San Antonio in the 1960s and considered one of the most significant archaeological finds in Western Visayas.

“This iconic piece is not just a relic—it is a symbol of the enduring spirit of our ancestors,” the group said in a statement.

The gold death mask, historically believed to have been used in burial rituals to honor elite individuals, is reinterpreted through contemporary forms and mixed media in OVAL’s signature collaborative style.

Surrounding this centerpiece are individual works by Florencio Abella Jr., Boy Masculino Jr., Jessel Santerva, Prhyncys Divine Abella, Steve Magbanua, Oman Gaitana, Joey EA Isturis, Marites O. Eusoya, Rey Buenaventura, Carmelo Getuya Camohoy III, Ric Isiderio, Jeffrey Java Geraldo, and Kc Rile.

Each artist explores themes of resilience, cultural pride, and transformation, grounded in their shared Ogtonganon roots.

The exhibit also pays homage to Oton’s weaving heritage through hablon-inspired artworks that celebrate the artistry and perseverance of Salngan’s traditional weavers.

“By highlighting hablon, we want to honor the hands that keep this cultural tradition alive,” OVAL noted.

In a related initiative, OVAL recently conducted a free community workshop titled “TULUTILTIG: Crafting the Oton Gold Death Mask” at Galerie Du Soleil in Taguig City.

The workshop allowed participants to connect with Oton’s history through hands-on mask-making, merging artistic practice with cultural education.

KITA ANG TAMUNG: Ugat at Pamana runs daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the NCCA Gallery for the entire month of June.

Admission is free to the public.