Unlocking doors to creative economics
THE Department of Education’s (DepEd’s) 2019 Sining Pangkabuhayan Para Sa Kabataan unlocked doors to creative economics that will encourage creativity and cultural production locally, regionally, and nationally which may be connected with our social and economic development.
Arts and culture, like sports, have been a significant part of the basic education curriculum. As Education Secretary Leonor M. Briones says it, culture retains our humanity amidst technological advancements and the continuously shifting socio-economic landscape.
Culture identifies us as people of one nation. Our art reflects the wide range of cultural influences, and how these influences honed Philippine art.
Education Undersecretary Tonisito M.C. Umali, in his speech during the event, underscored the legal bases why culture and arts are given importance especially in Deped.
He cited Article 2 Section 17 of the Philippine Constitution where it is stipulated that the State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism.
“Not only that. It is also in Article 14 Section 14 that the State shall foster the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino national culture based on the principle of unity in diversity,” the lawyer-leader said.
This is one of the reasons why DepEd gives importance to arts and culture aside from the competencies expected from each learner in school. The Sining Pangkabuhayan is a showcase of skills and talents, arts and crafts, and workshops to strengthen arts and culture.
At least 10,000 students are under the Arts and Design strand, but this number only comprises 1.5 percent of the Senior High School students.
“Let us change the mindset of the Filipino people towards arts. There’s a notion that there’s no money in arts, but let us take Yohann as an example,” Umali said.
Eight-year-old Arkin Yohann Solitario, who was once featured in SunStar Davao, is the youngest exhibitor with 20 new featured paintings in the event. In his first exhibit in the 2017 Regional Festival of Talents, he earned P33,000 out of his paintings. The amount is kept in his own bank account.
In the first day of his second solo exhibit in the event, almost all paintings were sold out. This is an indication that there is indeed money in arts and in any crafts.
In the message of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio read by Councilor Pilar Braga, she said arts are more than a means of escape or expression.
“Involvement in the arts means celebrating our talents and our unique cultures, reminding us what it means to be human and what it means to be a Filipino,” the supportive mayor added.
She also commended DepEd for allowing learners from all over the country to come together, and make a livelihood out of their craft as they showcase an authentic Filipino culture through their art.
In the fair trade, exhibits, and cultural presentations, the message of Secretary Leonor Briones read by regional director Evelyn Fetalvero focused on inculcating the values of livelihood, entrepreneurship, frugality, critical thinking, and problem solving.
“The event is a platform to preserve and enrich our culture that reflects not only what is beautiful and refined, but also what is real and inspiring,” Briones said reminding everyone that culture unites Filipinos.
For Fetalvero, culture ensures unity during crisis, debate, and dialogue. It is important for nation-building and for peace and reconciliation.
“The Sining Pangkabuhayan is in line with the number 6 agendum of the 10-point agenda of Briones. It says foster critical thinking and enrich appreciation of culture and arts,” she added as she emphasized that the curricular content on culture and arts should be complemented with greater actual exposure to these, as well as to literature, by both teachers and students.
Enriching appreciation of culture, arts, and literature that spring from our diversity and rich historical experiences as a people, as well as the explorations of the imaginative mind, round up the scope of our basic education. These are essential in critical thinking.
As Filipinos, we aspire to continue to value our culture, arts, and crafts as this is our identity. Identity expressed through culture is a necessity for all human development. It creates the fundamental building blocks in our character and personality, and it links us to communities and the whole nation.
How about arts and crafts? It is as important as culture and anything in the world. Art is a way for us to express ourselves and our vision through many creative and unique ways. Works of art can even have a life-changing influence to individuals.
The three-day Sining Pangkabuhayan event included workshops on music performance, music technology, photo and video for events coverage, acting workshop, creative writing, basic public speaking and hosting for events, ballroom dancing, jazz, hiphop, portrait making, arts, crafts and marketing, ballroom arrangement, and jewelry making.
Deped, together with the National Commission for Culture and Arts, Department of Tourism, Department of Trade and Industry, other agencies, and the city of Davao welcomed almost 1,000 delegates from all regions in the country. (Maria Gemima C. Valderrama, contributor)