Mabalacat's Tabnuan Cultural Center abandons art for government meetings
The Tabnuan Cultural Center in Mabalacat has shifted from its original purpose as an art hub to a venue for official meetings. Once a space for local artists to showcase their work, it now hosts government hearings and a coffee shop. This change has sparked criticism from artists and cultural advocates in the city. The building, originally named Tabnuan when it served as the municipal hall, was later repurposed as a cultural exhibition space. Over time, however, its focus changed. By January 2026, it had become a conference hall, even hosting a Sangguniang Panlungsod hearing where education officials presented key resolutions.
Dodjie Aguinaldo, a local artist and adviser to groups like Sining Mabalacat and Sibul Ning Kalalangan, has openly criticised the city's treatment of its art scene. In July 2023, he posted online about artworks being removed from display without warning or proper storage. The post went viral, drawing support from artists across Mabalacat and beyond.
To highlight the issue, Aguinaldo created a diorama depicting the former municipal hall as a crumbling, abandoned structure. He has called on city leaders to prioritise art preservation and show greater respect for local artists and their contributions. The Tabnuan Cultural Center no longer functions as a dedicated space for artists. Instead, it now serves as a meeting venue, leaving many in Mabalacat's art community concerned about the future of their work. Aguinaldo's advocacy has brought attention to the issue, but the city's response remains unclear.
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