Local artists from three creative disciplines came together to celebrate the first anniversary of GUTULAWIT, an initiative that combines visual arts, poetry, and original music in a collaborative performance, highlighting environmental awareness through artistic expression at the Balayong Study Pod on June 26.
Held in observance of Environment Month, this year’s anniversary showcased original works focused on nature and environmental protection. Participating visual artists, poets, and songwriters each crafted pieces inspired by the shared theme, demonstrating how art can serve as a platform for environmental advocacy.
GUTULAWIT, which stands for Guhit, Tula, Awit, was first introduced during the Baragatan Festival Arts Exhibit in June 2025 as a spontaneous collaboration among three Palawan-based artistic organizations. What began as a simple creative jam session has since grown into a recurring gathering that fosters collaboration among local artists while encouraging public appreciation of the arts.
The initiative was spearheaded by Jonathan Benitez, of the Palawan Visual Artists Collective; Atty. Fe Esperanza, president of TRAMPE–Pawikaan Palawan Writers Circle; and Sanilyn Gianan, the president of the Palawan Songwriters Community. Together, they envisioned a platform where visual artists, poets, and songwriters could converge through a single collaborative performance.
According to the organizers, the activity has expanded beyond its original concept after receiving positive support from the local artistic community.
“Last year kasi nag-start ’yon. Si Doc Ralph Fonte ng Pawikaan, Palawan Writers Circle, tsaka si Kuya Jonathan Benitez ng Palawan Visual Artists Collective, and then ako, si Sanilyn Gianan from Palawan Songwriters Community, nagkaroon ng isang biglang, ‘Why not magtula tayo tatlo?’ Tapos culminating activity ng Baragatan Arts Exhibit ’yun last year. At ’yun, sakto na naging patok siya. Pangatlo na namin ’to ngayon, pero isang taon pa lang siya, kaya parang anniversary ito ng collaboration na nabuo,” Gianan said.
She explained that GUTULAWIT serves as a convergence of Palawan’s local artists, bringing together three distinct artistic disciplines into one collaborative platform.
“Convergence ng Palawenyong local artist ng tatlong disiplina. ’Yun ang pinaka-buod ng pagsasani-puwersa ng tatlong disiplina ng sining,” she added.
Jonathan Benitez also explained that GUTULAWIT combines three artistic practices into a single live creative experience.
“Guhit, Tula, Awit. Isa siyang kombinasyon ng tatlong practice sa art sketching, spoken poetry, at on-the-spot musical jamming. Music, literary, tsaka visual, kombinasyon. Sa jamming lang siya ng mga practitioners,” Benitez said.
Unlike formal competitions, GUTULAWIT is designed as an open jam session and advocacy activity where artists voluntarily participate out of love for their craft and to make art more accessible to the public.
Organizers emphasized that the event remains open to aspiring artists of all ages who create original works. Interested participants may connect through the social media pages of the Palawan Songwriters Community, Palawan Visual Artists Collective, Pawikaan Palawan Writers Circle, or the official GUTULAWIT page for updates on future gatherings.
By blending visual storytelling, spoken word, and original music, GUTULAWIT continues to provide a unique platform that celebrates the creativity of Palawenyos while using art to promote meaningful causes, including environmental stewardship.
