Curating at least 40 art pieces from all over the Philippines that tell stories of the current climate crisis, the first environmental journalism organization of Negros Oriental launched a revolutionary art exhibit to a crowd of more than 100 at Robinson’s Place Dumaguete last May 4-6.
The Association of Young Environmental Journalists (AYEJ), in partnership with the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Pederasyon ng Dumaguete, hosted “KLIMA: A Project 1.5 Exhibit” which showcased different art forms that aimed at increasing the conversation on the 1.5-degree Celsius global threshold to mitigate the risks of climate change.
In his message of solidarity, Climate Change Commission Vice-Chairperson and Executive Director Emmanuel De Guzman said that AYEJ’s initiative is a “testament to how youth-led mobilizations could offer unique and innovative ways to raise awareness on the climate crisis and to inspire action from the ground up.”
“Project 1.5 shows that there is more to climate change than science. Recognizing the power of the arts to educate, influence, and inspire, this campaign was able to harness the creative energy of the youth to bridge the gap between science and practice,” he added.
The exhibit sprang from AYEJ’s “Project 1.5,” a digital competition engaging creative and artists from all over the Philippines to send out messages of concern on the ecological emergency through poetry, prose, photography, digital manipulation, and art on canvas.
“Project 1.5” was funded by Facebook and Mano Amiga Philippines as part of the 2018 Digital Youth Summit held in Manila early this year.
John Michael Londres, a 23-year-old seafarer from Oton, Iloilo, bagged the championship title in the Literary Arts category with his powerful short poem, “2050.” He also won the People’s Choice Award after getting the most Facebook reactions for his work.
“I was in Manila when I wrote my poem. On a jeepney going back to where I lived, I saw so much mess: garbage floating on the river, thick smokes coming from vehicles mixing into the air. I envisioned what would happen to the earth if we continue to be ignorant and irresponsible and articulated that into my piece,” Londres said.
He added further: “We need to start talking about the climate crisis because we don’t have much time left.”
The winners of the competition were: Literary Arts — John Michael Londres of Oton, Ilolo (1st Place), Ma. Alexandira Milan of Marikina City (2nd Place), and Stevenson Tupas of Talisay, Negros Occidental (3rd Place); Photography — Kara Sumicad of Bacolod City (1st Place), Benfred Tacuyan of Iloilo City (2nd Place), and Prince Loyd Besorio of Pagadian City (3rd Place); Digital Manipulation — John Michael Ramirez of Bacolod City (1st and 2nd Place), Lester Ouano of Tagbilaran City, Bohol (3rd Place); Art on Canvas — Xandro Dael of Dumaguete City (1st Place), Michelle Andrea Jusay of Arago, Cebu (2ndPlace), and John Paul Clemente of Bacolod City (3rd Place).
All the winners received cash prizes and certificates while the champions per category received a trophy and a free educational excursion to Danjugan Island, a marine sanctuary located in Negros Occidental.
Among the panel of judges in the competition were: Ma. Krishna Ariola, executive director of Linghod; Erin Larrisa Canto, marine biologist and co-founder of Timpuyog Innovation Lab; Danielle Tolentino, SK Dumaguete president and city councilor; Urich Calumpang, founding member of the Silliman University (SU) Camera Club; Jong Poblador, environment advocate and operations manager for LDN Consultancy; and Sonia Sygaco, author and multi-awarded creative writer.
Apart from the art exhibit, the event was also jam-packed with performances by local artists and singers, games, and climate talks hosted by Twilight Dy and Gabriel Christopher Constantino. (Remchever Credo)
