DAVAO CITY, July 25, 2019 – The opening of the 2019 Sining Pangkabuhayan Para Sa Kabataan in Davao City on July 23 unlocked doors to creative economics focusing on arts for life and livelihood.

In his speech during the opening program at Malayan Colleges Mindanao, Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs, External Partnerships, and Project Management Service Tonisito Umali underscored the legal bases on why culture and the arts are given importance, especially in DepEd.

He cited Article 2, Section 17 of the Philippine Constitution which stipulates that the State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism.

“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 Undersecretary said.

This is one of the reasons why DepEd gives importance to culture and the arts as part of the competencies of the 21^st century learner.

Sining Pangkabuhayan is a showcase of skills and talents, arts and crafts, and workshops to strengthen arts and culture in the school.

At least 10,000 students are under the Arts and Design track, but this number only comprises 1.5 percent of the total population of 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 the arts, but let us take Yohann as an example,” Umali said, referring to eight-year-old Arkin Yohann Solitario who is the youngest exhibitor.

The Sining Pangkabuhayan event is Yohann’s second exhibit with 20 new paintings.  In his first exhibit in the 2017 Regional Festival of Talents, he earned P33,000 from his works. The amount is kept in his own bank account.

In the message of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio read by Councilor Pilar Braga, she said that the 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.”

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 authentic Filipino culture through the arts.

The second part of the opening day consists of a trade fair, exhibits, and cultural presentations. DepEd Region XI OIC Director Evelyn Fetalvero read the message of support from DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones who highlighted the importance of inculcating the values of livelihood, entrepreneurship, frugality, critical thinking, and problem solving among learners.

“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,” the Education chief added.

The three-day event includes 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, hip-hop, portrait making, arts, crafts and marketing, ballroom arrangement, and jewelry making.

The Secretary also congratulated DepEd’s External Partnerships Service for spearheading, and DepEd Region XI for hosting the event.

DepEd, together with the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCAA), Department of Tourism, Department of Trade and Industry, other national government agencies, and the City Government of Davao, welcomed almost 1,000 delegates from all regions in the country including Special Program for the Arts (SPA) students and those taking the Arts and Design track, their teachers, and officials from DepEd and NCAA.

END

 
By:      Maria Gemima Valderrama
            Administrative Officer V
            DepEd Region XI