DTI-Pampanga did a great job of collecting the creative minds of Pampanga in their informal dialogue event titled “N’ang nanangngang ng ‘Nang”  that translates to “What’s mother grilling?.”

Set at the 40+-year-old farm of the Alviz Clan, Sir Andy Alviz welcomed the group in his iconic bed and breakfast farm in Sta. Rita, Pampanga, that features curated lush greeneries, gazebos, picturesque outdoor pool and creative nooks. This is an ideal venue to brew and steep ideas to benefit the growing creative community of Pampanga. Since the Republic Act 11904, otherwise known as “Philippine Creative Industries Development  Act” has been enacted, the Department of Trade and Industries (DTI) has been one of the busiest government agencies in implementing the new law.

One of the early phases began with this informal dialogue where various representations from different creative domains and sectors gathered and mingled. The interactive environment fostered linkages and connections among different domains and this led to the successful post-experience consultation. Moderated by Sir Joseph Pineda of DTI-Pampanga, he thoroughly scoured the team and made sure everyone had exclaimed their innovative two cents. One in particular that raved the crowd, coming from the audio-visual group Sir Alphi, who said in Kapampangan language, “balamu pidayit da ka tamu keni, ini ing mumunang buknul king programang iti” which translates to “We are like sewn together here, and this is the first knot of this cause.” These collated statements shall be contributing factors in drafting the 2024 Creative Industry Plan of the province. The academe, the private sector, the business sector, and the creative individuals expressed synergistic congruence to realize the goal of uplifting the level of the Creative Industry in Pampanga.

Pampanga’s Creative Community truly needs a boost and this event would be one of the catapult projects to uplift the state. It could be a long way but this is a good start.

The few hours we spent at the Alviz Farm housed an orchestra and simultaneous creative and interactive activities. From food to pottery, to music, sculpture, and fashion – I was blown away by the incredibly creative minds and souls present. I am but completely and starstruck to meet again, Sir Andy Alviz, a renowned Theatre Director, Choreographer, Dancer, Philip Torres, the man who brought the Pidayit Collection that created a unique Kapampangan identity in the realm of Fashion and many more.

There were a lot of happenings that transpired in those few hours: Let’s digest the elements of the program akin to a human physiological perception:

• Smell the aroma
  • The invited delegates get to experience free-range dining of appetizers right beneath the dancing sways of the tall Bamboo shoots with accents of the newly delivered Lechon served as the ultimate appetizer of the day, the lingering scent of the slow-cooked Purple Yam Delicacy (Ale Ube), the aromatic freshly cooked Barquillos and the manual wrapping of the heavenly suman. Sir Andy Alviz, himself, unwrapped the Lechon and made “kulayit” (yell in Kapampangan) to come and gather around the glorious slow-grilled pig.  
• Appreciate the activities
  • Pampanga Pottery has brought its working potter’s wheel and allowed the participants to partake in the tedious pot-making.
• Savor the heirloom dishes served at the Brunch Buffet Spread.
  • Delectable and authentic Kapampangan spirit lingers on each dish served. Hearty meat-based recipes like the global phenomenon Sisig (without the blasphemous addition of mayonnaise and egg), savory Biringhe with loads of flavorful meaty toppings, the loved Kilayin, the revered huge Shrimps, and refreshingly tangy Pako Salad.
• Listen to the music
  • Live guitar music and singing trigger the crowd with mesmerizing sing-a-long choices that certainly create an engaging and welcoming atmosphere.  Bringing the house down is the live performance of the revered Arti Sta. Rita with renditions of Atin Cu Pu Singsing and different original songs cemented a patriotic atmosphere and leaves the audience with tears of appreciation.
• See the live watercolor craftsmanship
  • Sir Lloyd Dacayanan of Angeles City amazed the invited guests and other craftsmen with his magical finger and wrist flicks turning a digital photograph into a seemingly breathing artwork from just a few sets of watercolor cakes.
• Feel the absolute texture of natural clay
  • Pila Ceramics Studio representatives provided the guests with engaging narrative exchanges of their painstaking yet captivating craft, turning the mundane ashes into something that is aesthetically pleasing yet handy with daily living.
• Revel in the whimsical sculptures
  • Sir Ronnie Tayag’s Tuyo Shaped ref-magnet masterpieces were up for grabs and are definitely an addition to your dining adornment ensembles. Sir Ryan Lugtu, a true born artist who shared some his iconic brass wire arts and proudly shared that he is passing the art beginning in his family.
• Absorb the relaxing ambiance of the farm adorned with interesting greeneries and architecture
  • The Alviz Farm, which also operates as a bed and breakfast, features curated interiors and exterior design akin to the early decades that provide a nostalgic sense.
• Digest the very meaning and value of creativity
  • The program culminated with an interactive post-experience session where individual creativity was placed into the limelight and each sector representing different domains of the society came into a synergistic understanding to cultivate and uplift the status of Kapampangan Craftsmanship and Creative Industry.

The brunch get-together is just one of the early phases of executing the new law to benefit the domains of the local creative industry. This is just the beginning – an exciting first step and something big and promising to look forward to.