MALAYBALAY CITY (13 April 2026 / Bukidnon News) — Talaandig artist Datu Salakup Rodelio “Waway” L. Saway has released a new soil painting that features traditional patterns and motifs of Bukidnon’s seven tribes.

Posted on his Instagram account on April 12, the artwork titled “Cultural Landscape” is a 4×4 piece created using soil on canvas. According to its description, the painting draws from designs found in local baskets, mats, and traditional costumes.

“This is part of a series. We paint from baskets and mats designs so artists can see many possibilities to preserve design in another form,” Saway told BukidnonNews.Net on April 13, 2026.

2017 File photo of the artist courtesy of WL Saway II

He said ‘Cultural Landscape’ is the fifth he finished in a series of 20 artworks. He is already doing 10 of the remaining pieces.

The composition presents intricate patterns using earthy tones, flowing lines, and geometric shapes,” he shared in his online messages. These elements, he added, reflect both the natural landscape of Bukidnon and the craftsmanship associated with Indigenous cultural materials.

The artwork also highlights the cultural significance of these patterns. Each motif represents aspects of the traditions and practices of Indigenous communities in Bukidnon, connecting the designs to their origins in everyday cultural objects.
Saway described the painting as evoking pride and nostalgia, adding it emphasizes the role of traditional artistry in expressing cultural identity. By using soil as a medium, he said, the work reflects a direct connection to the land.

Netizens welcomed the new art piece with admiration.

Style Isle PH, who describes self as “from Highlands to Islands – a collective of pieces made together with indigenous and artisan communities around the PH, keyed in “Wow OH Wow” in a comment in Saway’s IG account.Fellow artist from Bukidnon now based in Manila, upto.denise said: “This is so beautiful po.”

Saway, a member of the Talaandig tribe, is known for his work in soil painting, a form that incorporates natural materials into visual art. His work has been recognized for presenting elements of Talaandig culture through both traditional and contemporary forms. He serves as founding and current president of the Bukidnon Local Artists Kolektib, Inc. (BuLAK).

In addition to visual arts, Saway is also a songwriter and composer. He created the Tambuliling, a two-stringed musical instrument, and has presented his work in various countries.

Through “Cultural Landscape,” Saway presents traditional designs in another artistic form, highlighting patterns associated with Bukidnon’s Indigenous communities. The work reflects ongoing efforts to document and sustain cultural heritage, aligning with global calls to safeguard Indigenous knowledge and traditions. (BukidnonNews.Net)(BukidnonNews.Net).Net)

‘Cultural Landscape’ an art work by Datu Salakup Rodelio “Waway” L. Saway

Note: This story aligns with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), particularly Target 11.4, as it highlights efforts to preserve and sustain Indigenous cultural heritage through contemporary artistic expression, ensuring that traditional knowledge and identity remain visible and relevant in modern society.