The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
If there’s a compelling issue that needs to be settled, count on art to mediate.
Arts have the power to inspire people, decide and move them to action, after all.
That is what the purpose of the Camp Aquino Station Hospital (CASH) in Camp Servillano Aquino in Tarlac City is all about when it launched the SGD-WPS art exhibit last Friday.
Through the auspices of the Northern Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Col. Dominador Acoba, Commanding Officer, also a medical practitioner, spearheaded the advocacy of bringing together military, government and other partner organizations to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and West Philippine Sea (WPS) through art.
Billed “Atin Ito!”, “the project not only transforms the hospital into a space not just for healing the body but also uplifting the spirit through meaningful murals and installations.”
Visual artist, filmmaker, polymath, teacher and storyteller Bon Labora who assisted Col. Elba S. Cruz, a lawyer as well, in realizing the art show to preserve national progress and to proclaim that the WPS belongs to the Philippines, mostly the theme of the art works.
For more than two months, the participating artists composed of Bon Franz Raphael Gonzales (a singer at well who shared his music during the launch), Richard Buxani, Badz Magsumbol, Sherwin Paul Gonzales, Salvi, Edmon Rivera, Kenneth Luague, Lance Gomez, Arvin Manusig, John Renz Ruiz, Hermie Pineda, Glenn Serrano, John Carlo Ocampo and Patrick Naval spent sleepless nights and overwhelming days to beat the deadline for the murals.
Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, President of Earthsavers ITI Philippine Center and Lopez Santos III, Secretary of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) were guests of honor at the launch. (Boy Villasanta)