Victorias City in Negros Occidental is highlighting the tapasero (sugarcane cutter) as an inspirational leader through an art installation called “Manugdala sang Solo” (Torch Bearer).

Unveiled during the launching of the Victorias Sidlak Artists’ Park over the weekend, award-winning local artist Dennis Valenciano created an image of a modern-day sugarcane cutter in a ninja mask and sugarcane torch surrounded by origami birds.

“This creation represents the contemporary embodiment of the tapasero image depicting a leader who inspires and guides others towards cherished aspirations,” Valenciano said in a statement yesterday.

Each year, thousands of tapasero work in vast sugarcane plantations in Negros Occidental, known as the sugar capital of the Philippines.

The northern Negros city established the artists’ park, located on the right side of the public plaza, after receiving a grant of P1.5 million from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Department of Trade and Industry in October, as an awardee of the “Lunsod Lunsad: A Call for Creative Proposals’ Program.”

The Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office submitted the Victorias Sidlak Artists’ Park project as an entry geared towards sustainable cultural and tourism development to feature local artists and thriving micro-businesses.

Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, who led the unveiling rites with his uncle, 3rd District Representative Jose Francisco Benitez, said there is a flourishing artistic revolution in Victorias, which he sees to become a creative industry capital in Negros Occidental.

“Victorias City will be a creative pillar of industry revolution in our country,” he said.

Benitez, who chairs the House committee on creative industries, said his office is committed to helping Victorias realize its dreams to become a city of culture and a hub of creative industries and innovation. (PNA)