Celebrating Cebu’s Affinity with the Guitar

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu’s affinity with the guitar is as well-known as the Cebuano’s reputation as a music loving people. In line with this, As such, two guitar-oriented events took place over the weekend. these gatherings drew together Cebuanos of various ages to celebrate the craftsmanship and creativity that’s embodied by one of the Cebuano’s well-loved musical instruments.

“GugmaGitara”

Students and representatives of various organizations took part in the “GugmaGitara” “design your own guitar” competition last Saturday.

Staged at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu Atrium, it was the second event of its kind organized by Robinsons Galleria Cebu. The mall prided of the occasion as a tribute to Cebu’s affinity with the guitar and the Cebuano’s ever-evolving creativity and craftsmanship.

It was a competition that drew attention to how adaptable Cebuano creativity can be, as it featured the making of “themed guitars” that were formed with various painting and crafting techniques.

From the Italian chiaroscuro light-to-dark painting method to the process-oriented inclinations in quilling, the competition entrants made “themed guitars” that had various subjects – from non-temporal tableaus of the Sinulog, to those with eco-conscientious lanings, to those that highlighted the need for keeping up with the news and current events, and more.

“Gitara, HaranaugUban Pa”

Adolfo Toyoda Timuat headed a guitar making workshop that ran for four days at the Ground Floor Level of Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

Timuat is a Filipino master flamenco guitarist and luthier (maker of stringed instruments) based in Spain. He is the only Filipino recognized by the Carnet de Artisano from Castilla La Mancha as a builder of string instruments in Spain.

The workshop covered the basics process in the making of Spanish guitars – a type of guitar that’s typified by nylon strings (as opposed to metal/steel strings) and popularly referred to as the “classical guitar.”

Workshop participants learned about properly bracing a guitar body, sanding and finishing, the proper way to cut wood for various parts of a guitar, and more.

Spearheaded by the Guitar Foundation of the Philippines Inc. and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, with the support of Robinsons Galleria Cebu, the activity was part of this year’s National Arts Month celebration.

The workshop was capped by a “Kundiman and Harana” concert with the members of the Guitar Foundation of the Philippines Inc. on February 20 at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu Atrium.

On Cebu and its affinity with the Guitar

Traditional lore has it that Cebu’s familial closeness with the guitar dates back to the Spanish period, when Spanish friars are said to have trained locals as luthiers.

Initially, the friars taught locals how to properly repair guitars, saving them the need to send broken down guitars to Mexico for repairs. In time, the acquired skill expanded to cover the actual making of guitars which were used by musicians for hymnals during Mass.

It is said that the skills and tradition in repairing and making guitars was passed down from generation to generation, and eventually led to a flourishing guitar-making industry that continues in Cebu to this day.