Coastal Town Youth Convenes to Promote Peace through Arts

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




National Arts Month is celebrated annually throughout February in the Philippines. The events and activities that take place during this month are geared toward showcasing the artistic talent of Filipinos, as well as providing avenues for artists to channel their creative energies. It is a time when people celebrate the richness and diversity of the country's art and culture. Themed “Ani ng Sining, Bunga ng Galing,” this year's celebration aims to immerse Filipinos in diverse cultural expressions and celebrate the bountiful harvest from the Filipino imagination.

In the Coastal town of Sagay City, Arts Month is celebrated with the theme "Diin Tabo Man? Nature Encounter X". The SKC Sagay City Council together with the only Rotary Club in the city, the Rotary Club of Sagay-Sinigayan, its Rotaract Club, NONESCOST Supreme Student Council, TUPV at SC University Student Government, Sagay Young Tourism Volunteers, and Young Disciples in Mission staged an art forum and exhibition entitled “HINUN-ANON SANG KATILINGBAN: A Conversation for Peace and Conflict Prevention through Arts. The event was held at the SUNN Hotel of the Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology (NONESCOST) over the weekend.

HINUN-ANON SANG KATILINGBAN which roughly translates to “Community forum” is a gathering of the Sagaynon Youth for a conversation with seasoned artists representing each discipline of art to get a better understanding of how arts can be a medium to promote peace and conflict prevention/resolution in our communities and to inspire young people to pursue their passion in arts.

There was also an exhibition where the works of young budding artists were presented. From visual artworks from the previous contests of the Sagay City LGU, freshly made paintings and sketches of students of NONESCOST and the Technological University of the Philippines in the city, to posters of films joining the upcoming Margaha Film Festival –the first of its kind that encourages all homegrown writers and directors to create a film depicting the Sagaynon heritage and lifestyle through film.

All these were inspired by one of the locals, Maestro Nunelucio Alvarado, renowned for his exceptional work as a social realist. A founding member of the Black Artists in Asia—one of the most prominent collectives in the region—Nune, as his friends fondly call him fondly, is known for large-scale depictions of difficulty and despondency in the cane fields of Negros.

Maestro Nune with the support of the local government has created a community that gradually paints peace and progress in the region.

“We share with the Maestro his dream that someday, art can bring us together and that art can be the most powerful weapon to promote peace and progress,” says Benson Fernandez, President of the Rotary Club of Sagay-Sinigayan

“Through Rotary, we imagine Sagay to be a peaceful and progressive city where arts and diversity are celebrated,” He added.

“True enough, leaders from various organizations were brought together by this common cause and for the first time, brought to life a beautiful space where the youth and our seasoned artists can exchange ideas. A reminder to us that all our organizations’ causes have an underlying connection to peace and that peace in the community can be achieved through arts.” Said Ellirie Aviles, one of the event convenors.