PASIG CITY — Kicking off the Women’s Month celebration, Vice President Sara Duterte lauded Davao’s floral artists’ creativity and artistry.

The Vice President was guest of honor at the Floral Artists of Davao Association, Inc exhibit dubbed as “Gamhanang Buwak: Flower Power” which features Davao artists who have flowers as subjects of their art pieces.

Duterte, in her message, said the event “underlines the commitment of the Floral Artists of Davao to promote the contributions of Dabawenya artists to contemporary Philippine art and culture.”

“Gamhanang Buwak, which means a powerful flower, demonstrates that Mindanawon women artistry has come of age, bearing prominence and great influence,” she said.

The Vice President, who hails from Davao, said the “floral artists have made our homeland proud with the unique mastery of their artistic disciplines,” and depict the strength of women as counterparts in building communities.

“This exhibit reflects women artists’ courage, ingenuity, and vision to serve as inspiration and initiators of socio-cultural change- particularly relevant as we advocate unity, reconciliation, and love of country as tools for community building and rebuilding,” she said.

The Vice President also thanked women floral artists for making their talents as platform to express their perspectives and visions.

“Thank you for using your creative work to elevate the feminine voice boldly breaking the status quo and paving a more vibrant, intricate, and interwoven society,” she said.

“Your courage serves as an inspiration for us to continue looking for unorthodox ways of understanding contemporary issues. It is the same courage that allows us to engage more women as voices and leaders of social transformation,” she added.

The Vice President also called on women to support President Ferdinand R. Marcos’ 8-point socio-economic agenda to advance sustainable and holistic development for the country and the Filipinos.

“As women, we can work together to transcend differences, and provide great inspiration to others to be more involved in building a society that is inclusive, supportive, and constantly yearning for a more humane expression,” she said.

“Let this occasion strengthen our solidarity as women who empower fellow women, and as artists who use art to enlighten, women's inherent capacities for nation-building, especially in our environmental protection and conservation efforts and in eliminating violence against women and girls,” she added.

The exhibit is at the Estancia Mall, and will run until the end of March.

OVP MEDIA