by Xyla Mercedita E Gualberto
“Sining Galing- A Xavier Ecoville Arts Program for the Youth” had its grand talent showcase on November 30 at the Xavier University Little Theater. The event, titled “Straight from the Art,” was the culmination activity of the said arts program which ran from August to November. It featured stellar performances and visual artworks by the Xavier Ecoville (XE) youth and children, reflecting their heart’s dreams, stories and emotions.
“Sining Galing” was funded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts through its Cultural Education Committee's Bugkusan . It is implemented by the Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA) in partnership with the Xavier Ecoville community.
The program aimed to foster healing for the Sendong survivors through art therapy. It also gave them a chance to discover their artistic side, nurture it, and share their stories and experiences creatively.
“I always believe that the arts are the best assets of humanity,” said XCCA Director Hobart Savior. “They [XE residents] were hit by the tragedy that is Sendong, and we know that the arts are tools for them to recover and reclaim their lives and their spirit as members of humanity.”
The program had eight recurring art workshops including teen theater, children’s theater, cultural dance, visual arts, photography, chorale, guitar lessons and storytelling. It also had a two-day Arts and Environment Workshop facilitated by all-around artist Rosalie Zerrudo. Xavier University students, who are XCCA talents, served as mentors to the “Sining Galing” participants.
"Straight from the Art" made the participants very excited. They were hands-on in preparing their recitals. They helped set-up their exhibit, decorated the stage and rehearsed religiously to put up a good show. Their hardwork paid off. “Straight from the Art” proved that the Filipino Youth’s creativity can shine bright even in times of adversity. The event was more than just a culmination, it was a colorful celebration of life expressed so beautifully through the arts.
The highlight of the night was the heart-gripping finale “Sa Xavier Ecoville”, an original musical composition by XE youth Paul Peji Aguiman. “Among gi reflect sa kanta ang mga na sinatian namo, sa among gi bati, ug sa karon, ug sa umaabot nga panahon. Amo ning gi himo ni nga kanta sa pinaagi sa among mga kamot ug among mga idea. Amo ni'ng gi himo para sa mga kabtan-unan, kabataan, ginikanan, ug sa mga future nga mu puyoay sa ecoville. Para kini sa ilaha ug sa amoa.” He, his band mates from the guitar lessons group, together with the children and the rest of the participants of Sining Galing sang as one community: “Sa Xavier Ecoville, kami malipayon. Tungod sa pagsinabtanay sa matag-usang panimalay. Naningkamot ang usag-usa alang sa kausaban. Salamat sa kahitas-an gidungog ang kabagohan namong tanan.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony followed the recitals, exhibiting the paintings and the photographs of the visual arts group.
Flordeliza Mabaylan, the Xavier Ecoville Youth Club Vice President and Sining Galing Youth Coordinator said “Happy kaayo ko nga na tagaan ug chance ang mga youth nga ma dugangan ang ilang mga kahibalo…sama sa theater, dance ug uban pa. Happy pod ko nga bisan gamay lang among nahibal-an sauna, karon na daghan-daghan na.”