A School Library and Art Building Grow in Quezon City (2 of 2)

One of the many pleasant experiences Zoe and I had last summer was the visit we had at the College of Fine Arts in the University of the Philippines in Diliman. Super thanks to Ruben "Totet" de Jesus, who patiently and proudly showed us around the CFA compound as well as the new building.

The CFA compound is art. It speak, breathes and lives ART!

Works of students, teachers and professors are all around. I couldn't tell the difference. Imagine studying and learning alongside your peers and mentors, how enriching this environment could be. Totet de Jesus made this even more evident when he showed Zoe the art works exhibited in the gallery at that time. A true mentor, Totet listens and guides. The trip to the old CFA compound ended with a visit to its college library.

Heading to the new CFA building which was still in construction at the time, I could not help but feel nostalgic. The new building was spacious and very modern. The main entrance opens to a big hall. Isang malaking bulwagan! The new building offers and promises a lot of spaces for art to do and to fill in. The glass panelings and open doorways to a view of the main road from Philcoa inspires creative minds to wonder and think of possibilities.

In this time of conflict, art finds a way to show solutions to problems, to inspire and dream, to protest and to chronicle history, past and present. Here's wishing the CFA all the best! May their community of creatives, dreamers an innovators increase! 

UP College of Fine Arts Conducts Outreach and Book Donations

FA Library doing outreach program

Today at 2PM, the UP College of Fine Arts Library is set to do an art and storytelling workshop with Ruben 'Totet" de Jesus and Rey Bufi as workshop facilitators. Organized by Roselily A. Medrano, FA Librarian, she chose the students of San Vicente Elementary School as participants who will be interacting with Mr. de Jesus, an award wining illustrator and with dynamic storyteller, Kuya Rey Bufi. This is in the college library's outreach activity in line with the celebration of Arts Month.

Ms. Medrano has headed and organized book drives and book donations that benefited public schools and institutions in Cagayan Valley and recently, in Najuan, Mindoro. It was in 2011 that they started reaching out to schools and children. Their donations have reached daycare centers in Lasam Central School and Lasam Academy in Cagayan. Book donations came from CFA Faculty and staff, alumni, students and friends of Mr. de Jesus.

Roselily Medrano donating books at Lasam Academy, Cagayan

In line with this, she has coordinated with Anvil Publishing house and the UP Diliman Main Library for the forum on Philippine Children's Literature in the 21st Century on February 23, 2016 at the UP Main Library Lobby. The forum begins at 2PM. The objectives of the forum are:

 · To deepen our understanding on the importance of children's literature in the development of their reading skills; 

· To foster children's appreciation on the different literary genres;  

· To acquaint students on the current trends and development of children's literature in the Philippines.

Panelists are:

ANI ALMARIO – is a Board Member of the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) and former President of the Reading Association of the Philippines. Ani is on the Management Team of Adarna Publishing House Inc. and she also the Directress of the Raya School.

ZARAH GAGATIGA - is a Children’s book author and Chief Librarian of Beacon Academy in Laguna and former President of the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY).

RAYVI SUNICO-is a children’s book author and publisher and Board member of the Philippine Board of Books for Young People.

RUBEN DE JESUS -is an award winning children’s book illustrator, founding member of Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (INK) and Board member of the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY). He is also a faculty member of the College of Fine Arts, University of the Philipiines Diliman.

PORTIA PADILLA - is a member of the Reading Association of the Philippines and a faculty member of the UP College of Education, University of the Philippines Diliman.

For details visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/1033448366697599/