Betis, Guagua once again placed the spotlight on its centuries-old woodcarving tradition as the Dukit Festival 2025 gathered artists, institutions, and the community in a shared effort to sustain one of Pampanga’s most enduring cultural legacies.

Anchored on the theme “Duquitan me ing Duquit Betis,” the festival reaffirmed Betis’ identity as a cradle of Filipino craftsmanship. The celebration was spearheaded through a tripartite convergence of the Local Government Unit, the Parish Pastoral Council, and the Betis Foundation, led by Francis Rey Gozum—demonstrating how civil, religious, and cultural institutions can work together to safeguard heritage through continuity, shared responsibility, and intergenerational learning.

A key highlight of the festival was its series of competitions recognizing excellence in woodcarving across local, national, and collaborative categories. The said activities honored works that demonstrated mastery, technical excellence, and expressive depth, while highlighting master–apprentice collaborations that underscored the vital role of mentorship in sustaining tradition and cultural continuity.

The Dukit Festival continues to be guided by the vision of renowned Kapampangan artist and DOT-III PAMANA Awardee Willy Layug, whose long-standing advocacy has helped elevate Betis woodcarving to wider national and international recognition.

Through collective effort and cultural pride, the Dukit Festival 2025 reaffirmed Betis as a living center of Filipino heritage where tradition is not only preserved, but actively shaped by the hands of today for the generations that follow.