Arts Month wraps up with ALCU Nat’l Arts Conference

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National Arts month wrapped up the festivities with a bang, the Association of Local Colleges and University Philippines organized the event in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Department of Tourism Central Luzon and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo last February 28 via livestream and zoom platform. The theme for this year, “reimagining the teaching of the arts and the humanities in the march for future-proofing local higher education institutions.”

The Alcutura President, Sir Alvaro Dioquino Jr welcomed the participants with his remarks, while Alcultura Vice President, Sir Jonie Boy Pangilinan laid down the statement of purpose. Then the the Alcu president Dr. Rene Colocar prerecorded his message about the arts, creativity and foresight. There were two plenary speakers from De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University who talked about the creative industry and moving forward the next normal.

The first plenary lecturer was Prof. Glorife Soberano-Samodio, she is the DLSU Culture and Arts Office Director, concurrent Association of Cultural Offices in the Philippine Educational Institutions Vice President and the Asean University Network for Culture and Arts focal person. Prof. Jill imparted her research and advocacy entitled “Revitalizing Culture, Arts and Humanities Education for Future-Ready Higher Educational Institutions.” While presenting concrete data, specifically the Philippine Creative Industries Impact Table where the first plenary speaker pointed out the very high impact, very slow recovery with culture and natural heritage, performance and celebration along with visual arts and artisan products.

On the other hand, the second plenary lecturer was the Prof. Ralph Jacinto Quiblat, the Office of Student Affairs director from Ateneo de Manila. He shared his insights highlighting the role of digital arts and social media for a meaningful student life in the new normal and beyond. Prof Tat provided material data based on the Digital 2023 results from the site we are social. Among the trends this year are as follows: textured discovery; collapsing narratives; margin-chasers; new cooperatives and expanding identities.

Moving forward, both Prof Jill and Prof. Tats presented some recommendations and three-fold strategy. According to the DLSU CAO Director, there are 7Cs to move forward in the next normal: care, connection, continuity, collaboration, culture-based, creative research and change. Based on the insights of the ADMU OSA director, using foresight studies and futures thinking, we need to exercise mindfulness by paying attention to the reality (experience), make it sensible (meaning) and come up with a way of proceeding (Decide how to act).

ALCU and Alcultura is in the forefront of culture-based and arts education in the higher education institutions. February is designated as the National Arts Month. With the institutionalizing of the Creative Industries Act, RA 11904 both creatives and the education sector are hopeful moving toward the next normal.