IN PHOTO: Kidagaw, a soil painting on the Philippine Eagle

Soil painter Jhonrey asserts the iconography of his tribe and province with 'Kidagaw,' a soil painting of a Philippine eagle against the backdrop of Talaandig motifs. 

Bukidnon is home to Philippine Eagles, where the Talaandigs call it 'Kidagaw.' For them it is a symbol of strength, freedom, bravery, and resilience.

This significance is often lost in the national attention, as the Philippine Eagle has come to be more associated with Davao City. Although the metropolis is home to the Philippine Eagle Foundation, there are in more eagles in Bukidnon, where a large number of the bred eagles are released.

The Philippine eagle is by now an overused subject matter for art, but against the context of Bukidnon's exclusion and with his signature background of traditional Talaandig motifs in soil, the artist lays claim to the iconography of the national bird, putting the spotlight on the bird's significance to his tribe and province. Text by Karlo Antonio Galay David, With permission from Jhonrey Balane FB

KIDAGAW