IPAG-subang: The Eternal Sunrise of Artistry

by Andrea Alexa Barga

In the world of art, there is no final destination, only a journey that continuously unfolds. Like the rising sun, art is in a constant state of becoming, bringing light but never truly setting. For the artists of the MSU-IIT Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG), this metaphor of “a constant sunrise” encapsulates their philosophy: art is a continuous learning process that compels them to step out of the frames of tradition and into the boundless horizon of innovation.

As IPAG marked the fourth and final day of their performance series on August 30, held in the streets outside the SET Hallway, the theme “Pag-subang”, which means “sunrise” in the local dialect, served as the perfect encapsulation of their artistic journey.

Throughout this series, the members of IPAG have embraced “pag-subang” as their guiding metaphor, a word that evokes the image of the sun just beginning to rise, its corona peeking over the horizon, marking a new day. For these artists, “pag-subang” represents more than just a visual; it is a symbol of continuous progress.

“Subang is our metaphor for this season,” emphasized Lapdus Laguto (Michael Cinches Lagura), the Executive Director of MSU-IIT’s IPAG. “So, when you hear Subang, there’s the idea of continuation, this idea of progress.”

This notion of perpetual emergence—of never reaching a final, completed state, and stepping beyond the frames—has been central to IPAG’s creative direction during this series. The sun, in its rising, represents the artists’ ongoing process of learning, relearning, and unlearning. It is a journey that requires constant humility, as they return to the starting point over and over again, embracing the role of the beginner with each new work.

For IPAG, the idea of being in a perpetual state of emergence is not just philosophical—it is a practical approach to art. Despite their experiences and accomplishments, the artists consciously resist the temptation to rest or be deterred by challenges.  Instead, they commit to remaining in a state of becoming, where each day offers a new lesson, and each project presents a fresh challenge.

Art, by its very nature, demands that its creators push beyond what is known and comfortable. Stepping “out of the frames” is not just an aspiration, but a necessity. Throughout the “Pag-subang” performance, they have been driven to break free from traditional boundaries, exploring new forms and ideas that challenge both themselves and their audiences. Such representation and image of breaking free was portrayed in their performance as the dancers of IPAG stepped out of the frame and outside of their stage.

“Even though there are a lot of factors that prevent us artists to perform, we will not be moved because this is our passion, this is who we are, and this is what we advocate. It is freedom that we represent today,” says Jcille Caylan, an IPAG Artist.

In the end, as IPAG closes their “Pag-subang” performance, they remind us that art, like the sun, is a perpetual sunrise—ever-emerging, never fully settled. This journey of continuous learning and unbounded creativity compels them to step out of the frames, pushing the boundaries of tradition and exploring new horizons. Just as the sun rises each day with the promise of new light, so too does IPAG’s art, ever-evolving and endlessly illuminating the path ahead.