October 27, 2011, Muntinlupa City
Club Sec. Minda Santillan, RC Alabang Lampara

Despite strong winds and rain, Typhoon Quiel certainly did not dampen the enthusiasm of the Muntinlupa public school teachers who came to attend the T.E.A.C.H. (Teachers Exploring in Arts thru Colors and Harmony) workshop, an art learning session for teachers organized by the Art Discovery and Learning Foundation, Inc.(ADLFI) and the Rotary Club of Alabang Lampara (RCAL), last October 1, 2011 at the Alternative Learning System (ALS) Center in Bayanan, Muntinlupa City.

ADLFI was led by its president, Fernando B. Sena, a famous artist and art teacher who was recently awarded one of the Most Outstanding Citizens of Quezon City for 2011, where Ms. Lea Salonga, Fr. Joaquin Bernas and Ms. Charo Santos, among other popular personalities, were his co-awardees.  RCAL, on the other hand, was led by Pres. Edd Santillan.

Department of Education Superintendent Dr. Dominico Idanan generously provided the ALS Center as the venue for the workshop.  The team was supported by DepEd Supervisor Ms. Angelita Abella.  The Center’s air-conditioned conference room was very conducive for the learning activity, but with the participants totaling to 122, the room seemed small.  Nonetheless, everyone was excited and focused on the topics being discussed.

After the invocation and singing of the national anthem by volunteer teachers, Pres. Edd made a brief opening remarks on the value of arts in the teachers’ career and personal lives, and explained the mission of Rotary International.  Club Sec. Minda Santillan, as moderator, introduced Mr. Sena, the workshop’s main lecturer.

Mr. Sena begun his lecture by asking the participants to draw freehand an object, like a bottle or vase, that were presented on the table.  Workshop assistants helped in distributing free art materials, like oil pastels, oslo papers and pencils.  The teachers had a good laugh when shown their work prior to the lecture proper, which indicated their art skill levels as evaluated by Mr. Sena.  It was heartwarming to see our modern day heroes enjoying something different from their everyday teaching routine.

Why teach teachers art?  There could be a million and one answers, but foremost of which is the new knowledge they will acquire that they can share with their students.  However, not all who attended were teaching art.  Some teach math, science and other subjects, but they can still use what they learned in art as a reference in citing examples or correlation to the sciences.  Personally, acquiring knowledge and skills about drawing and painting may be developed as a hobby or even as an income-generating activity when they retire.  Drawing or painting can be an affective therapy against the stress of a teacher’s daily routine.  In art, one can experience focus, patience and determination to finish something creative and beautiful.  It teaches us to better appreciate nature and every object around us.  It’s another form of a meditation that frees our minds of things negative and encourages peaceful dispositions in life.

The participants were taught how to draw properly, the basics of portraiture with a cute little girl model to actually practice on, and painting of still life with oil pastels.  The oil pastel paintings of those who finished on time were presented to everyone.  This time, instead of just laughter, they solicited oooh’s and wow’s from the amazed audience.

The attendees were requested to fill up and submit evaluation sheets before the session ended.  The results showed that the teachers deeply appreciated the free art workshop and very grateful to ADLFI and RCAL.  They even requested for a “part 2” of the workshop next year.  The T.E.A.C.H. Project was definitely a success.  The teachers’ real joy witnessed by the Rotarians was more than enough to offset the time, talent and treasure that they gave.  It is their way of “paying it forward” for once upon a time, they too have been taught by hardworking and caring teachers.

A simple graduation was held where each participant was given a certificate of attendance, followed by group picture taking with Mr. Sena, Pres. Edd, Club Sec.Minda and Rtn. Tess Bangha-on.  Jollibee snacks were personally provided by Pres. Edd.