Dante Enage: Reliving Visayan Arts

October 9, 2016 by huxl3y

Dante Enage is a renowned mixed media Taclobanon artist and the president of the Kasi-kasi Art Association Incorporated. His style is organic abstraction- making use of anything round and wavy that he can find in nature. He is better known for his use of Tuba or Coconut Wine as his medium for painting. Dante has already presented three one-man exhibits: Hiraya, Katsirak, and Usbong in 2009, 2012 and 2016, respectively. Through his unique identity, the local artist earned a name of his own and has grown popularity through the years. Using Tuba is his way to relive the arts and culture of Visayas. He believes it can gather a larger scale of Visayan people or any art enthusiast and hopefully inspire the younger generation.

In Pagadian City, his piece of art named “Paint Not Bomb” was announced first place in the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA) 2013 Philippine Visual Arts Festival (PVAF). In addition to his recognitions, in 2013, his paintings were showcased in an exhibit at the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia and in the Art Expo Malaysia. A year later, his artworks were chosen to be presented in two different exhibits: in Kuwait during the 116th Philippine Independence Day, and at the One World Institute in Bitonto Bari Italy on its 4th International Group Exhibit of MASA “Artmismo”. His success continued to rise in 2015 here and abroad. Dante’s art collection became one of the highlights in the exhibit at the Galeria, Krabbe, Frigiliana in Malaga, Spain, “Arte Postal”, and also during the “Big Apple Project” by the New York Boyer Foundation in New York, USA. On the 71st leyte Gulf Landings’ anniversary, his entry was awarded first place in an Art Installation Contest. In 2016, the name Dante Enage took the spotlight again when he painted a portrait of President Rodrigo Duterte using Tuba as his medium. His work became viral online and was featured in ABS-CBN network. Dante said it was his way of thanking the incumbent president for the good governance and the sincere care he has for the country and the Filipino people.

Dante is also a percussionist of Kulahig, an ethno-tribal Taclobanon band which means Kultura-arte-himig. He founded the Kolor han Biswal Arte nga Waraynon and is also a tattoo artist.

Listed below are Dante’s other recognitions:

5th Place Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD) poster making contest, 2015
2nd Runner Up 7th An Waray Oktubafest October 22, 2015, Leyte park hotel, Tacloban City
2nd Place An Waray Tuba Painting contest, 2008
3rd Place Rotary Club of Leyte Gulf Mural painting Contest, 2006
2nd Place Spawn & Municipality of Tanauan, ots skimboard painting contest,2005
2nd runner up Gov.Remedios L. Petilla Sail Painting Competition,2004
3rd runner up Tacloban fiesta Sail Painting Competition, 2003