FROM THE STREETS TO THE ARTS
What started as an artwork by 16-year-old Alberto Lopez of Barangay Ermita in Cebu City led to the introduction of an arts project that later provided venues for expression for more young children and teens like him.
For Lopez, this artwork, which is a sketch of a happy family, shows his desire to draw until his hands get weary.
“I had never been interested in arts before, primarily because I was out in the streets fighting with other kids. I was once a delinquent juvenile in Ermita, spending more time on the streets with my older peers,” he said in Bisaya.
Lopez’s story inspired the Dolores Aboitiz Children’s Fund (DACF) of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (Rafi) to work with Bidlisiw Foundation Inc. to organize the Ermita Children’s Arts Project, which ran from November 2011 to May 2012.
“It aimed to engage the Ermita children and youth in creative and constructive activities that will divert them from vices and develop their character and skills,” Joem Degracia, DACF program officer, said.
During this period, 98 children and youth—mostly out-of-school youth, night students, and street children—from Barangay Ermita availed themselves of free lessons on visual arts, violin, choir, and performing arts.
The mentors included renowned Cebuano painter Celso Pepito for visual arts; University of Southern Philippines Foundation choir conductor and teacher Barret Oliver Richards for choir; wellknown violinist and music educator in Cebu Lianne Sala for orchestra; and the University of San Jose Recoletos-Institute of Non-Formal Education and Community Outreach Program led by Florabel Lim for performing arts.
“My involvement in this project changed the way I see things. It changed me and my whole life. I found a venue where I can truly express myself. Visual arts enabled me to explore my world through sketching. Even if I’m not the best in the group, it is still fulfilling to be appreciated by other people,” Lopez shared.
His artworks mainly manifest his advocacy on the rights of a child, importance of family, and effects of youth’s engagement in vices. During one of their sessions, the young boy sketched a family where each of them was happily holding each other’s hands.
“My drawing speaks of the value of a happy family. When a child has a happy and loving family, he or she will be guided all throughout his or her life. When my parents see my works, I can see in their eyes how happy and proud they are of me. That is the greatest reward I have ever received,” he recalled.
At present, Lopez is one of the peer educators in Ermita, teaching younger children to draw and helping keep them from trouble.
“We want to show to the people that we are not the kind of Ermita children they perceived us to be—the delinquents or the snatchers. We are renewed now; we have changed for the better,” he said.
Lester Amosura, 17, who is also into visual arts, shared the same personal advocacy, saying that many people are quick to call Ermita children snatchers, loiterers, and trouble-makers, but fail to appreciate their talents.
“We may be poor but through our talents, we believe we can someday help our families,” he added.
The children also underwent interventions, such as knowing their rights as children and personality development.
Edruel Batulan, Bidlisiw Foundation Inc. organizer for the Ermita Children’s Arts Project, observed that the attendance rate of the project in its first few weeks was inconsistent because some of the children were working as dishwashers or as garbage collectors or doing the laundry.
“The arts project boosted the children’s self-confidence. As time passed by, they were able to interact with the other children. They were able to show the people that they could do better if given the chance,” Batulan said.
Last Jan. 26, two girls from Barangay Ermita—Novabella Pelayre, 13, and Ma. Theresa Reyes, 14—performed in a fundraising concert entitled, “Sistemang Pilipino: Transforming Lives Through Music,” held at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.
Having received violin lessons through the Ermita Children’s Art Project, the girls were invited by Lianne Sala, violin teacher and concert organizer, to serve as examples of what children from underserved communities are capable of if only they are given the opportunity.
Children who are into violin, performing arts and choir lessons have no previous background in these particular arts. Batulan said the kids who took violin lessons did not have any experience in playing the instrument before.
“They don’t have violins at home. Violins are lent to them, and through constant practice, they were able to learn how to play as if they have played before. They can even read notes now. The best thing that they have learned from this project is self-discipline,” he said.
He also cited that children in performing arts now have the confidence to act and dance before a large crowd.
“When you see the kids perform, you would not think they were once part of the streets. Now, they have joined us in exploring the world of arts. We brought them a step closer to a better future,” he added. (
For more information about DACF, please contact 255-5630 and look for Joem de Gracia, or visit www.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph.