31 October 2025 – The timeless tales of Philippine folklore took center stage at the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary during the 4th quarter edition of “Sining sa Konsulado” featuring the theme “Alaala ng Alamat” (Remembering our Legends) in celebration of Museums and Galleries Month.
The exhibit presented an astonishing array of creative interpretations by Filipino-Canadian artists in Alberta, featuring reimagined Philippine monsters, creatures, and spiritual beings from well-loved folk stories such as Mariang Makiling, the White Lady, the Manananggal, and the Kaptan. Through a range of styles and media, each artwork breathed new life into these mythical characters – revealing not only the artists’ talent but also their deep connection to their Filipino heritage.
In her remarks, Consul General Emma Sarne underscored the importance of folklore and mythology as part of the Filipino creative identity. “Our myths and legends are more than stories – they are mirrors of our collective imagination and the way we make sense of the world. Every brush stroke becomes a bridge between memory and imagination, showing how deeply our creative spirit is rooted in our identity as Filipinos,” she said.
Consul General Sarne noted that the event also coincided with the celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Month of the Philippines, highlighting how Philippine folklore and oral traditions are intertwined with indigenous worldviews and ways of storytelling. “Our legends are shaped by the wisdom of our indigenous communities. Honoring them is our way of recognizing the foundations of our identity as a people,” she added.
Guests from the Calgary Consular Corps, local artists, members of the Filipino community, and local media attended the opening of Alaala ng Alamat which transformed the Jose Rizal Hall of the Consulate into a vivid showcase of mythic imagery and storytelling on the eve of All Saints’ Day.
The art exhibit also marked a milestone in the Consulate’s year-long partnership with salingpusa creatives, a collective of Filipino-Canadian artists in Alberta. Consul General Sarne shared that this collaboration stemmed from the Consulate’s continuing support for the arts as a powerful medium for connection, identity, and cultural preservation. “When salingpusa creatives’ Executive Director Ms. Cecilia Alcaraz approached us for a year-long collaboration, we saw it as an opportunity to transform the Consulate into a vibrant space for Philippine and Filipino-inspired art and creative expression,” she said.
Launched in 2025, Sining sa Konsulado highlighted the diverse expressions of Filipino creativity through the quarterly rotation of artworks mirroring Philippine cultural, historical celebrations and heritage. It provided a platform for Filipino artists to showcase their talents, tell their stories, and inspire meaningful conversations with the broader Canadian community. The partnership reflected the commitment of the Consulate and salingpusa creatives to nurture the creative potential of Filipinos in Alberta.
By giving Filipino artists in Alberta the opportunity to share their Philippine-inspired work, the Consulate contributes to the promotion of the Philippine creative industry and the fulfillment of the objectives of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (RA 11904) which recognizes artists as key drivers of both cultural and economic growth.
More information on the art and artists of Alaala ng Alamat may be found here: https://salingpusa.com/ssk-alamat/. Alaala ng Alamat will run at the Consulate until November 13 and will move to The Grand Theatre (https://www.thegrandyyc.ca/) in downtown Calgary for the Aswang Con (https://salingpusa.com/aswangcon/ and https://salingpusa.com/1672/aswangcon-as-one-would-have-it/) on 15 November 2025. END.
PR No. 16-2025
