National Award Winning Documentary: STN Film Excellence: Best Film Documentary 2016 NSPA Superior Rating 2015 A short documentary covering the importance of the arts in society and in the lives of students.
My happiest moments are when I am being creative and especially when I create something of value. Two abilities that we usually attribute to god are the power to destroy and the power to create something out of nothing. In Verdi’s Aida, the high priests invoke the great god Ftha: ‘’Tu che dal nulla hai tratto l’onde, la terra e il cielo, Noi t’invochiamo’’ You, who from nothing, created the oceans, the land, the heavens, we call upon you. As mortals being able to take on the qualities of god by creating something that never existed before perhaps eases the anxiety of our powerlessness over death.
In the case of my country the Philippines, we never get rid of art, we even increase and expand the curricula for it. First, it was just integrated in other subjects, then it was integrated with the study of culture and history as well as social studies. Later, Physical Education and Health is introduced as separate subject component that not just teaches exercises, games, sports, and recreational activities but also dance and through the other arts. Then, Music was later introduced as a separate school subject component which doesn't just teach music as theory but also music in culture, history, appreciation, and also through dance, movements, and other arts. They are still integrated in social studies though that time in grade school before they were separated as a separate subject called PEHM (Physical Education, Health, and Music)for high school students. During my time in school, these subjects that were treated as components but were all still under the study of social studies like history and geography and culture became a separate related subjects called MSEP or MAPEH (Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health) with the inclusion of the visual arts as a component apart from physical education and dance, health education, and music. Aside from art history, it also teaches theory, culture, social studies, art production and art skills within it. Arts is also integrated in the subjects of English and Filipino language where we get to do role plays and short films as projects as well as creative writing and others. MAPEH though is still considered as one subject and taught by one teacher who is trained in teaching all of the components of music, art, health, and physical education. In the new curriculum, these components which still formed one subject and taught by one teacher was now treated as separate components that forms one subject. Lessons are more distinct but still integration can be done by the teacher. Also, the study of media arts and drama or theater are now included and the study of dance along with physical education also expanded. Teacher training and education for teaching that subject is now separated and more specialized as one who chooses Physical Education major in college will get the chance to teach Physical Education and Health subjects in school which ranges from first aids, exercises, movements, games, sports, recreational activities, various dimensions of health, and also dances. Those who chooses Culture and Arts Education will be trained to teach Music and Arts components or subjects in school with courses in visual and media arts, drama and theater, music, and dance as well. Before, it was just one major called MAPEH which specializes in all of the component areas of the subject, but now, the major is separated into two: one for music and arts which also includes dance, drama, and media/digital arts; and one is for teaching P.E. and health which also includes dance in it. Aside from being a separate academic subjects or components in the curriculum, the arts are also highly encouraged to be used and integrated as manners of teaching, instructional materials, and of student projects and assessments. Arts is also integrated in all other subjects in the form of activities, and the arts are also utilized in school activities and programs. During my time, we get to dance, act, do film, role plays, sing, play and perform music, do poster artworks, write essays, and do art works and right now, I heard that students as early as grade school have already painting competitions and do sculptures in class that I never had before in my time. drama and theater was also integrated in the arts and other subjects during my time, but now, it is treated also as a component of the subject along with visual arts in high school. We also make sure that Arts Appreciation course is a part of general education in all college degrees, so whatever undergraduate or baccalaureate degree you will take in college even the sciences or engineering and maths, you will still definitely have a course requirement concentrated in the arts.
