The world through the eyes of a child

The world through the eyes of a child

IMAGINATION is the beginning of creation, and in the midst of Cebu’s growing art industry is a nine-year-old who imagined the world quite differently.

This is the story of Albyn Santino Lucernas who, with oil pastels in his small hands, decided that Cebu can be so much more than just a place: it is made up of people with strong religious devotion, giving birth to a rich heritage and a colorful tradition.

Global Art conducted its annual National Art Competition at the SMX Convention Center, SM Aura Premier, Taguig Metro Manila last Sept. 23. Together with 265 contestants from all over the Philippines, Albyn competed far from his hometown with coloring materials in his hands eager to show what Cebuano talent was all about. He was not alone, as 29 other Global Art Cebu representatives joined him. But only Albyn walked out victorious.

Global Art is an international art school for children which promotes creative learning with the goal of developing children’s creativity. Global Art Cebu has been operating for four years now. Albyn competed with 98 contestants in Category B meant for students aged seven to nine. With only a few days left before his 10th birthday, Albyn was able to win the competition and was declared the national grand champion.

This was a first for the Cebu delegation, in the four years that it had competed.

The theme given for this year was “Celebrations,” and Albyn drew the most festive celebration in Cebu which is the feast of Sr. Sto. Niño, popularly known as the Sinulog. The artwork depicted Globbie—the mascot of Global Arts which is a personification of the Earth; it is drawn as a globe with a face and limbs—attending the Sinulog. The judges declared Albyn as the winner.

At the age of five, his mother recalls that Albyn was already determined to make art.

“None of us in the family knows how to draw, but as early as the age of five, Albyn would be drawing on bond paper sketching stick figures. Later on, he would make stories out of the drawings he had created,” said Alfie, Albyn’s mothers.

Seeing this potential, Alfie enrolled Albyn in an art school. However, before that, she tried pushing Albyn toward playing the violin as she is musically inclined herself.

“He never showed much interest in music. Every time he practiced the violin, he would easily get tired. I also tried teaching him piano. He knows how to play the instruments but he often makes up excuses to stop. Then I noticed he liked drawing so much, so we enrolled him in Global Art at the age of seven as soon as I heard about the branch at Escario,” said Alfie.

Both of Albyn’s parents are police officers. But despite their busy schedules, they make sure that they are able to support and encourage the growth of their only child’s talents and potentials in whatever field he wishes to pursue. According to Alfie, these talents will come in handy when Albyn grows old. This avenue, according to his mother, also provides Albyn a more creative output rather than just allowing his attention to be engulfed by cellular phones and tablets which would be a waste of his time and potential.

When asked what his advice would be to children his age, Albyn answered in a shy manner: “Try their best. Always practice. And always pray.”

The international leg is set to be held in Myanmar this December. However, since Albyn turned 10 this October, he will already be competing in a different category should he choose to compete.

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