Enabling artists to pursue their creative talents amid the pandemic, PLDT partnered with two art-centered organizations, promoting self-expression, mental health, and well-being among teenagers and young adults.
Together with the Museo Iloilo, PLDT helped organize an art exhibit, entitled “Breath of Life,” benefitting 70 local artists, whose works revolved around their observations of the socio-political events that took place at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a collaborative effort highlighting some of the works of community artists after 22 months of the pandemic.
The partnerships with Museo Iloilo in Iloilo City, and Sandiwaan Center for Learning (SCL) in Balut, Tondo, Manila are aligned with the PLDT Group’s core value of malasakit (compassion).
“With these partnerships, we hope to inspire Iloilo local artists to create more art pieces and earn from them, while discovering artistic talents among the out-of-school youths in Tondo,” said PLDT Community Relations Head Katherine Diaz De Rivera.
Part of the proceeds of the exhibit will go to the artists and a portion to the local orphanage.
Mounted on the walls of Museo Iloilo are some of the artworks of local artists on exhibit from December 15, 2021 to January 18, 2022. In the foreground are organizers of the exhibit.
“Laking tulong po ang Breath of Life Project ng PLDT at Museo Iloilo,” said Iloilo artist Lenny Areno. “Dahil dito, naging active member ako at active sa pagpipinta, at noong kasagsagan ng pandemic, nakapag–umpisa ako ng online selling ng paintings ko.” (PLDT and Museo Iloilo’s Breath of Life Project helped me greatly, enabling me to become an active member and an active painter. During the height of the pandemic, I was able to start selling my paintings online.)
PLDT also supported the Alternative Learning System Arts Workshop of the SCL, enabling 30 out-of-school-youths to express their creativity. A non-stock, non-profit, and non-government organization, SCL aims to deliver basic and technical education to the poor and underprivileged youth and adults.
Sixteen-year-old Glycel Alfonso, a student at SCL, enthused: “Thank you PLDT sa Art Workshop. Madami akong natutunan. Of course po naranasan ko yung wall painting sa pamamagitan ng workshop. Upang maging matagumpay ang buhay ay dapat matatag at masikap ang isang tao. Matatag upang harapin ang mga problemang darating at masikap upang maabot ang mga pangarap sa buhay.” (I have learned a lot from the Art Workshop. Of course I experienced wall painting through the Workshop. To succeed in life, one has to be steadfast and diligent. Steadfast, so you can face the challenges, and diligent so you’ll be able to realize your life’s aspirations.)
The PLDT Group is committed to help the Philippines attain the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SDG#s 3 & 4: Good Health and Well-being and Inclusive Quality Education.
