Last Friday, the Department of Education Regional Office III signed a memorandum of understanding with the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) and Kiyo in the Philippines for a five-year partnership to support teachers and students under the Special Program in the Arts (SPA) projects in the region.
As I listened to the accomplishments of the groups being presented and how Central Luzon is considered a "fertile ground" to hone artists, I suddenly recalled my own experiences of performing when I was in school. When I was in Grade 2, I represented our section in a Singing Contest and rendered a song by the Apo Hiking Society entitled "Piece of the Peace." Although my parents were not able to watch me during my performance, I took home the first place trophy and two hundred pesos. That amount is certainly a lot back then for a child like me. I was so excited to go home that day and share my achievement with my family.
When I was in Grade 3, I was given a chance to be a part of the school's theater arts club "Teatrong Kayumanggi" with our club moderator Mrs. Hernz. For our school play then, I was given the role of being a hen and the lines that I could remember delivering were "Putak! Putak! Putak!" or the sound of a chicken.
I was also asked to represent our class in a declamation contest at our school and that experience was the time that my then adviser, now the principal of the school said that Mass Communication is the best course in college I should be taking. (Well, that actually prompted me to pursue my studies in the communications field.)
I was also a member of the Dance Troupe under Ms. Girlie Manabat. I was lucky enough to be part of the group to have competed in a dance contest in Pampanga which was held inside the Chevalier campus. Though we did not win the said contest, the experience of representing our school is certainly one of the most memorable parts of my childhood. I would also be a regular member of our class' dance performers during our Intramurals and those times have helped me develop and boost my self-confidence. I was also a part of the school paper in elementary and secondary and that somehow gave me the memories of competing in press conferences. All these opportunities to showcase my talents and abilities have somehow helped me in my craft as a broadcaster and public affairs spokesperson. In short, in the dialect, "maranun kung milako marine."
Going back to the partnership stated above, it is a good thing to note that students inclined in the arts have these avenues to further develop their talents (which was not available during my time). In this way, youngsters are given the chance to curb their negative feelings and avoid acquiring mental health problems and engaging in self-pity and suicidal attempts (which are really increasing nowadays). Inclination in the arts is indeed a perfect opportunity for our young people to value themselves more as they are able to show the world what they are capable of doing. We need to strengthen how our kids think and feel nowadays to help them cope with today's mental challenges and problems.