Two (2) senior high school students of Cabilao National High School (CNHS) in the town of Loon just won an award in a national plastic art competition, according to a press release.
The entry of Josua Pedrajeta and Aljon Parilla, Grade 11 and Grade 12 students, respectively, bagged the top spot in the Plastic Art (PLART) Competition organized by Blue Initiative, an environmental conservation organization, the same press release bared.
The need to protect marine biodiversity from increased human activity, particularly tourism, and the natural world has become a major source of inspiration for artists.
The Blue Initiative created PLART as an avenue through which the youth can express their desire and commitment to help advance the cause of preserving the country’s biodiversity.
PLART is a portmanteau of the words “plastic” and “art” to encourage the upcycling of solid waste to create “plartworks”.
In line with its advocacy, Blue Initiative wanted to highlight the marine flora and fauna of the Philippines as main subject of the art competition.
Moreover, CNHS principal Sabino L. Vallecer learned about the art contest through a memorandum issued by the Department of Education, which encourages the participation of the youth.
The contest was open to everyone in the Philippines, with the participants required to produce their work on paper or canvas, or in the form of a figurine or sculpture.
Each entry must incorporate plastic waste or recycled textile.
The submission of the artwork was through the sending of a photograph of the artwork.
The judging was based on creativity, quality, amount of waste materials used, and number of “Likes” on the Facebook page of Blue Initiative.
Vallecer said some of his staff served as advisers of Pedrajeta and Parilla. The advisers are Reina Marie R. Balane and Princess Marjorie Marañon, senior high school teachers; and Lesley Anne Carlon, junior high school teacher.
The CNHS team collected plastic waste materials that were either washed ashore or found from some households.
Using a huge plyboard as canvas, the duo of young artists chose as inspiration for their artwork, the island of Cabilao, whose natural beauty needs to be protected from unregulated activities like illegal fishing and irresponsible diving.
The artwork highlighted Punta Baluarte and the underwater paradise around the said island.
Punta Baluarte is a beachfront where tourism facilities are located, such as the production center of the Cabilao Romblon Weavers Network (CROWN).
The area also features a Spanish-era lighthouse, which now has a solar-power and lighthouse and part of the Punta Baluarte Eco-Museum.
Blue Initiative was established recently under Project SWAP (Sustainable Waste Action Program), a flagship program of the National Geographic Young Explorers aiming to help combat plastic pollution by making upcycling a normal activity in every Filipino household.
Reportedly, Blue Initiative is the top-ranked club of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in the Philippines.
Blue Initiative advocates for the protection of the ocean and encourages the youth to become pioneers of change for the development of a better future. (Reigh P. Monreal)