Empowering the Next Generation of Artists
By Evita Miraflor
Imagine this: you’re a kid who is full of creativity, full of potential and ready to transform spaces with your ideas. However, the world misses out on your brilliance because you’re in a place where information remains out of reach, preventing you from taking your first vital steps. This is what Axl De Mesa and Jasmine Napeñas, a forward-thinking pair from the province of Quezon, culminated in their flagship event, Silay, alongside UP Kalilayan.
While Quezon Province proudly displays its rich cultural heritage through vibrant festivals and community events, the reality for aspiring artists presents a complex paradox. As Napeñas, approaching the topic from an academic perspective, described, the environment is both enabling and disabling. It's enabling because Special Programs in the Arts (SPA) are becoming more common in schools, with alternative assessments like portfolios and performance-based tasks replacing traditional exams. Yet, it's simultaneously disabling due to a persistent lack of accessible resources for less privileged students and those not enrolled in specialized sections. Amidst this challenging landscape, the visionary duo of De Mesa and Napeñas aims to spread information about alternative paths students can pursue if traditional art institutions or career avenues feel out of reach, limited, or simply not aligned with their creative aspirations. They believe that by democratizing access to knowledge about diverse opportunities in the creative industries, they can empower a new generation of artists to thrive beyond conventional boundaries.
The event offered attendees a dynamic experience, featuring career orientations on diverse creative paths for young minds, alongside engaging creative workshops conducted in partnership with Pintakasi, a culture and arts organization based on Alabat Island. Originally set for 60 students, the overwhelming interest saw the organizers warmly welcome over 100 participants, ranging from enthusiastic Grade 7 students to college students exploring a shift in their academic pursuits.
Looking ahead, De Mesa hopes to grow Silay even more. He wants future events to include teachers, helping them share information about different creative jobs in their schools and towns. By giving teachers this knowledge, Silay aims to put the idea of new career paths right into our schools, building a more creative and supportive place for students across Quezon Province. Napenas also envisions a mentorship component, allowing students to consult experienced creatives for guidance on their undergraduate portfolio applications.
“Kailangan [rin] talaga ng lakas ng loob kasi pangarap mo yan, ilaban mo yan.” - Axl De Mesa