GUAGUA town's 13th Dukit Festival will push through on December 4 and 5 but with minimum health protocols in place to prevent the reduced number of participants and expected visitors from close contact.
Mayor Dante Torres said the event will push through despite the pandemic. The event aims to promote the woodcarving industry among the younger generation and the woodcarving industry in Guagua as a tourism destination.
"We will ensure that all participants and visitors will adhere to health protocols to prevent the spread of the virus," Torres said, stressing that even judges and participants will comply with health protocols.
The event will be held at the Guagua Artist Haven in Barangay Santa Ursula's Mega Dike section which was converted into an eco-park. The open space is ideal for the event to prevent close contact, according to Torres.
In the previous celebrations, the Dukit Festival was held inside the main Barangay of Sta. Ursula Betis and was participated by some of the best woodcarvers of the district.
Woodcarvers from the Wood Carvers Guild of Sta. Ursula Betis and the Woodcarvers of Betis Multipurpose Cooperative are expected to participate.
Known woodcarver and Presidential Merit Awardee for Ecclesiastical Art Willy Layug said woodcarving has become a major industry in Guagua, generating millions each year.
Layug lamented that fewer younger people are going into the trade, adding there is also less attention toward the continuing education of woodcarvers as artists rather than mere craftsmen.
"The event hopes to highlight the creative and artistic aspect of the craft and attract more people into this art form. We also hope to bring woodcarving here into a whole new level and bring more attention towards education and improvement of skills of woodcarvers and attract tourists and buyers," Layug said.
Guagua's Betis District is known for its woodcarving industry that has grown from furniture, religious and installation art.
