By Stephen J Pedroza

Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA) together with the Central Student Government (CSG) will hold “Panday Kultura - A Cultural Awareness and Development Symposium for Student Leaders” on August 13 and “Tuklas Sining – Journey to the 7 Arts in the Philippines” on Aug 16 at XU Little Theatre (XULT).

Panday Kultura seeks to promote Filipino cultural understanding that is an integral pillar of sustainable development and governance. It also aims to form responsible, motivated and culturally-aware leaders in the future.

Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) professor and founder of the Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG), Dr Steven Patrick Fernandez will serve as the resource speaker for the said event.

The works of Dr Fernandez, who is also the current IPAG artistic director, has been anchored on cultural development and education and he has been included in the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Encyclopedia of the Arts.

In 2011, Dr Fernandez received the Fr Francisco R Demetrio SJ Award on Culture and the Arts.

On the other hand, XCCA, XU-NSTP and the Humanities Cluster of XU Department of English Language and Literature will present Tuklas Sining – Journey to the 7 Arts in the Philippines as Documented by CCP.

Tuklas Sining, an enrichment activity for Formation and Humanities, offers documentary essays by various experts of the Philippine Arts, namely, in architecture, theatre, dance, music, literature, film and visual arts.

Both Panday Kultura and Tuklas Sining are new cultural education programs of XCCA and admission is free.