Photos by Elizabeth Lolarga
People look at Riza Matibag Muyot, founder of the eco-tourist village-cum-living museum Shambala Silang in Cavite and the chief executive officer of a finance company, as always a maverick, an out-of-the-box thinker and doer. But she has enough madness and authenticity as a person to sustain her causes.
She said, “I’m also a revolutionary. I am never at ease with the status quo. I have always wanted to evolve and transform not only for myself but for the universe. I embrace change, the bolder, more mind-boggling and more impossible, as long as it is meaningful and has an impact, the better. I am passionate in conceptualizing new ideas and working hard to make them a reality. Shambala Silang is not only one of my passion projects.”
(Muyot is descended from another revolutionary, Gen. Mariano Alvarez, president of the Magdiwang council of the Katipunan, who was her great great grandfather.)
Another passion project is the ongoing exhibition “Paglalayag: Mula Mindanao Patungong Luzon” at Shambala Silang’s Tawid Gallery, featuring 25 artists from the South.
With visual artist Kublai Millan, they have worked together to bring artists and their art from Mindanao to Luzon, a journey, or in Filipino, isang paglalayag. Their goal, she said, is “to help artists in Mindanao to showcase their art in a different landscape and to tell their story.” In the future the two hope that these artists from south to north and vice versa can “collaborate to complete the picture and story of the Philippines through various forms of art.”
Muyot emphasized the need to develop, promote and showcase artists from the regions and rural areas, especially from the indigenous community. “They need our help more than the already recognized artists in Metro Manila. More importantly, they have the stories and soul of our ancestors. We can only learn and feel these through their art. For us to go back, see our roots and know our history as a people, we need to listen to their stories through their art. This will complete our understanding and appreciation of who we are and why we are like this today.”
She said Filipinos recognize the finer arts like paintings and sculpture, especially those executed by National Artists. She said, “But what about the works of our indigenous peoples like the rice terraces in the Cordillera? We are on the world map and recognized by UNESCO. The terraces are considered the eighth wonder of the world, but we never recognize that the first sculptors were the Ifugaos and the Cordillerans who created what we can call ‘earth sculpture,’ carving the hills and the mountains, a collaboration of man and God with nature. What an amazing art!”
As homage to the Cordillera’s earth sculptors, Muyot created a small village with terraces and a dap-ay, a traditional meeting place for elders.
“But it is sad when I have some visitors from Ifugao and the Cordillera, they cannot recognize their houses and artifacts, even the dap-ay,” she lamented.
She is motivated to fuse her inspiration from the Cordillera with the arts, nature and spirituality of Mindanao.
Other sources of inspiration for Shambala are: “the bright colors the Gabaldon school buildings of the Department of Education all over the Philippines with their combination of learning, history, heritage and architecture; Kyoto in Japan for its simplicity, cleanliness, serenity, nature, spirituality, arts and heritage; Mt. Banahaw in Quezon for its spirituality, magical power, energy, stillness, nature; Silang’s hills, nature, abundance, spirit rising, energy, land of my ancestor; New York’s noise which seems to break my spirit but also makes me whole with its vibrant energy, performing arts; Europe’s arts, culture, history, its old charm and spirit; and the book The Secret of Shambhala where I got the name Shambala.”
The Buddhist way of life inspires her, too. She also turns to The Little Prince, writing under the pen name FoxMusing, the Fox being her favorite character. She called Shambala Silang a form of poetry because “it is a space for artists, writers, healers, teachers, spiritual warriors and anyone who needs a sanctuary The four pillars of Shambala Silang are creativity, spirituality, learning and healing We do not claim to be healers, but we just provide the space for healing oneself.”
She considered “Paglalayag” “only a starting point of giving homage to the unseen artists and artisans of Mindanao. Later, I plan to build a Mindanao house surrounded by artifacts to showcase the colors of Mindanao. God willing, I’d like to showcase the Philippines at Shambala.”
She clarified that her family is “not ultra-rich. Still, I try to continue building and building, not minding if I spend our personal funds. To make it happen and save on costs, I do the work of a contractor, engineer, architect, landscaper, curator, cook. I’m hands-on. This can be tiring but fulfilling, and I’m happy. Kaya loka-loka daw ako (That’s why they say I’m crazy). When I think of it, I do it. The universe will always provide what we need. Another meaning of Shambala is si Bathala. Siya ang bahala. Siya Nawa (God will provide. Amen).”
“Paglalayag” runs until Nov. 19 and features the following artists: Kublai Millan, Victor Dumaguing, Jeff Bangot, Jag Bueno, Lucas Rañola, Lizlee Enimido, Kristine Gaid, Anoy Catague, Jong Tangiday, Tanya Gaisano, Aiza Solijon, Michael Salcedo, Pinta de Baryo, Elvis Goloran, Reden Paa, Jamedith Abuan, Rey Ursabia, Xyla Sumalinog, Jeya Que, James Santia, John Paul Senangote, Reymark Felipe, Gevy Camacho, Marfenie Valdez and Rene Milan.
To plan a visit to Shambala Silang, email shambalasilang2008@gmail.com , text or call 0927-594-0337 or 0968-400-6949.
