UPHSI professor leads creative writing workshop for arts educators

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Nearly 300 educators from the Department of Education’s Special Program in the Arts (SPA) Schools across the Philippines gathered at The Negros Museum in Bacolod City from July 15-19 for the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ (NCCA) Husay Sining: Program for Teachers in the Arts Training Structure.

The workshop, which is part of the NCCA-DepEd Cultural Education Program (NDCEP), is designed to enrich the K-to-12 curriculum by enhancing the artistic skills of educators and fostering creativity and cultural appreciation in students.

A highlight of this year’s training was the participation of Assistant Professor Noel Galon, a faculty member of UP High School in Iloilo (UPHSI) and the Division of Professional Education at the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV).

Galon, who also serves on the executive committee of the NCCA’s National Committee on Literary Arts, was invited to share his expertise in creative writing.

Galon’s workshop focused on innovative approaches to teaching creative writing, emphasizing the need for literature instruction to be adaptable to the diverse backgrounds of students.

He stressed the importance of understanding students’ reading habits, preferences, and challenges before delving into creative writing instruction.

“As educators, we need to grasp the context of our students’ lives. It’s vital to know if they are still reading, what types of literature or reading materials they consume, the formats or platforms they prefer, and their reasons for continuing to read despite numerous potential obstacles,” Galon explained.

During his presentation, Galon shared insights from the 2023 National Readership Survey and data from the National Book Development Board (NBDB) survey. He highlighted popular genres and formats among readers, advocating for teaching methods and materials that resonate with students.

His recommendations included inviting living authors to classrooms, organizing visits to authors’ homes or museums, and incorporating cultural immersion activities related to the settings of literary works. These strategies aim to make literature more accessible and engaging for students.

“To culminate creative writing classes, teachers can implement several engaging activities,” Galon suggested. “Creating a Literary Map documenting local stories and writers, organizing a Writers’ Exhibit, conducting video interviews with local writers, and creating short videos for TikTok Reels can make literature more accessible and immersive for students.”

Galon’s dedication to promoting literature extends beyond the classroom. He is a founding member of the Iloilo Mega Book Fair, an annual event that showcases books from various regions of the Philippines, with a special focus on works written in regional languages.

He also coordinates the UPV Sibika Hub, which collaborates with The Asia Foundation and USAID on citizenship projects in Western Visayas.

This October, Galon will represent Western Visayas at the Frankfurter Buchmesse (Frankfurt International Book Fair) in Germany, the world’s largest book fair. There, he will highlight literary works from the region, particularly books in Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, and Akeanon.

The Husay Sining program continues to play a crucial role in advancing the teaching of Filipino arts across the country, ensuring that the education system remains dynamic, relevant, and responsive to the cultural needs of today’s youth.Top of FormBottom of Form      [Ms. Razel Joy C. Salvado (M.Ed ESL student) and Asst. Prof. Joven S. Llabore with sources from Asst. Prof. Noel Galon]