SSC News and Events 2012

DFAID-SSC partners with DOTC for "Arts and Humanities in MRT3"
by: Prof, Jokayaban, Chairperson, Department of Fine Arts and Interior Design
Posted: Wednesday, August 15, 2012

If the billboard display at Magallanes MRT station catches your eye, it could be because strangely it does not advertise, it's just art. Rendered by senior Visual Arts students of St. Scholastica's College Department of Fine Arts & Interior Design (DFAID), the works are part of the collaboration between the school and the DOTC-MRT3. "Arts and Humanities in MRT3"is a project spearheaded by General Manager, Atty. Al Vitangcol III. The management of MRT3 invited Fine Arts schools in Metro Manila to come up with visual artworks made by students to be displayed on existing panels located inside the train stations for public viewing. The project was brought about by the concept of bringing art closer to the people.

SSC- DFAID responded by coming up with artworks that are aligned with its advocacies on environmental stewardship, women empowerment and the firm belief that art can be a catalyst to inspire positive change.

This project resulted in the creation of two large artworks. "DivertCity"(3x5 Acrylic on Canvas ) is a collaborative painting by senior (4th yr.) Visual Arts and Design (VAD) students Christina Villanueva and Jennifer Faustine Casabar. DivertCity aims to divert the city's busy lifestyle to a more peaceful and colorful direction. The artists' idea is to bring the city closer to Mother Nature. Commuters who need to take a break from their rushed schedules can breathe in what life has to offer. Flowers, representing life, provide a fresh start to a bright day and cap the night with a smile. Multiple techniques represent the multiple perspectives of a variety of people. Despite their diversity, at the end of the day, it all adds up to one big picture which is a glimpse of Mother Earth.

"Lost Souls"is a quadriptich (a four panel 2.5x4 acrylic on canvas) by Rea Caberos and Mic Mutuc representing the journey of a woman on being able to discover herself, her strengths and coming out to the light to be a leader and advocate for the good of humanity.

The unveiling was held at the MRT Magallanes station, on both the south bound and north bound platforms last August 3, 2012 at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. SSC president, Sr. Mary Thomas Prado, OSB; VPAA, Prof. Virginia Fornias, and Prof. Ma. Asuncion Azcuna, Dean of School of Arts and Sciences graced the occasion together with Atty. Al Vitangcol III, General Manager of MRT3 and Engr. Oscar Bongon, Station Manager. Prof. Jokayaban , Chair of Fine Arts-SSC and his students in Visual Arts and Design, artists, Rea Caberos, Mic Mutuc, Faustine Casabar and Christina Villanueva turned over the artworks to the management of the MRT3 and Magallanes station. The project is the result of the 3C's in each project undertaken by Prof. Jokay: Conceptualization, Commitment and Creation. The event was witnessed by hundreds of commuters inside the station and the trains that passed by.

Through its "Arts and Humanities in MRT3" the major transport of the metropolis is now a patron of the art through the efforts of its general manager who believes that the MRT3 commuters can be inspired with the display of inherent Filipino creativity. The DFAID sees this as a way of humanizing the stations, breathing life into new spaces and paving the way for people to start appreciating art and its presence in our daily life.