THE desire was to not only beautify, but to impart messages that will bring awareness to the very soul of Mindanao. Thus, when the Davao City National High School (DCNHS) agreed to a proposal to have the whole length of their fences turned into artworks, the concept was immediately drawn up.
"It's a reminder to look at who the Mindanao ancestors are and because Davao City is growing very fast, to be a constant reminder of who we are so that we grow grounded on that identity without destroying our heritage and our environment," said Rey Mudjahid "Kublai" Millan, who organized the mural project.
First on the list of tasks was to bring in an artist who has made his name in making wall murals to impart the experience and expertise to the young aspiring artists of Davao City: Archie Oclos.
Oclos is a Manila-based a street artist and painter whose murals often depict socio-political issues and indigenous people’s concerns.
He is known to the organizer of the project, Davao artist Rey Mudjahid "Kublai" Millan because they are alumni of the same art school -- University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.
Millan had always advocated for art and cultural exchanges, firm in his belief that the locals can benefit a lot from those who have already made a comfortable living out of their art and not just the hungry artists who merely subsist despite their vast talents.
In-breeding, after all, weakens the genes.
Local artists are constantly reminded by fellow struggling artists and those around them that you cannot make a living out of your talent, a claim that Millan has often been trying to dispute by bringing in other artists who have made a name and are enjoying comfortable lives through their art.
From DCNHS, an agreement was then forged with the City Government of Davao to provide the manpower and support for cleaning and sprucing up the walls.
And then the artists from the school itself made up of Junior High Students belonging to the Special Program for the Arts -Visual Arts group (SPA Visual Arts), and the Art and Design track of Senior High School.
Through Senior High art mentor Jeff Bangot, the students were mobilized and were taught how to tackle the more than a kilometer worth of walls to paint on. Soon after, volunteer artists and art students also joined.
A total of 44 art students, one art group, and the SPA alumni and art and design teachers of DCNHS participated.
Oclos, having been a street artist for years now, do not randomly create.
He plans out the designs and plots this out in his computer, print it out for the other artists to see, and then they start with the grids before the whole artwork starts to take form.
Oclos stayed for 18 days in Davao City, just painting with the students and volunteers and teaching them techniques to create the giant artworks.
As Oclos left last Friday, May 18, to return to Manila, the students who were able to join the “despedida” pizza treat were one in appreciating the exposure they were given for the summer break, working hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder with the likes of well-known artists like Oclos and Millan.
The project is not done yet as the group is now tackling the Jacinto Extension walls where a poem, wrapping up the images and the message, will be painted, and the F. Torres Street side as well, where a shorter poem summing up the whole project will be posted.
As its counterpart, the City Government has committed to fix the pavements and spruce up the area to make it selfie-ready without putting the selfiers at risk of falling into the cracks and canals.
Those who participated are:
DCNHS: Angelito Hormachuelas, Allene Grace Baculi, Claric Nacito, John Rodney Delgado, Josh Martin Paculba, April Anne Dando, Mars Arian Remotigue, Frizza Mae Cale, John II Lim, Joshua Limpo, Caranov Arnel Tibug, Ericka Aleon, Joy Angiela Bacayan, Mari Elizabeth Sumatra, Vanessa Kaye Madera, Trini Rose Bunao, Kirk Ryan Base, John Dave Ferras, Rembert Vergara Jr., Rafael Abella Jr., Coreen Suello, Phoebe Micah Cotejo, Apple Joy Santos, Adrian Larieh Acebo, Ferr Justin Iremedio, Chrisjan Exequiel Gornes, Venice Tans, Shire Liouse Manalo, and Justin Suel; Philippine Women's College of Davao: Jason Bon Gilles and Jenny Lou Enarsico.
Ateneo de Davao University: Reanmer Joachim Baldoza. University of Mindanao: Felix Pabalinski, Dennis Puzon, Kathleen Abejo, and Mhaviir Ramirez.
DCNHS SPA Alumni: Ira Teves-Crooks, Alydon John Villa Abrille, and Ebe Lagura.
Gama Art Group led by Rolando Pino-on and his incoming fourth grade daughter Princess Lykka.
DCNHS SPA and Arts and Design teachers: JP Simafranca, Jay Reeve Guerrero, and Glecy Aileen Gonzales.
Over-all, Oclos said he is impressed by the talents of the young artists saying he has not met that big a group of talented students who are very willing to give much of their time to beautify their city; definitely, not in Metro Manila.
"Nakaka-inspire makita sila, mga bata pa pero ang gagaling ng kamay," he said.