THE University of San Carlos Senior High School South Campus, in partnership with the Legal Alternatives for Women (LAW) Center Inc., launched the “Halad sa Kababayen-an (Tribute to Women),” an art exhibit in celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, 2021.
The exhibit, which ran from March 8 to 14, at the Cube Wing Atrium of SM Seaside City Cebu, showcased works by Grade 12 art and design students who managed to create digital, pen and ink and watercolor art works through online classes.
This was the first in Cebu wherein young students surmounted pandemic challenges to create meaningful art and publicly exhibit them in solidarity with this global celebration.
Art instructor and current board secretary of LAW Center Inc., Marie Tabotabo, said the activity aimed to apply students’ artistic talents in promoting gender equality and, at the same time, channeling their energies (brought about by the lockdown) into something productive.
“Halad sa Kababayen-an” was participated by 25 students, some of whom hail from as far as Leyte, Mindanao and Dubai as online classes continue to be the learning mode this semester. The students, however, were not allowed to set up the exhibit or join in the opening ceremony and view their works in observance of health protocols.
Nonetheless, the students and their families expressed joy and pride in being able to create and participate in such an important event.
The exhibit was opened by LAW Center Inc. director Virginia Palanca-Santiago, Joy Pesquera and USC Senior High School South Campus principal Chester Miparanum.
The Cebu Lady Lawyers Association (Cella) also joined the event by having its legal mission, which ended on March 14. The Cella lawyers provided free legal advice to walk-in women clients who might have suffered from violence and abuse.
“Halad sa Kababayen-an” will also be exhibited at the fourth floor hallway of Ayala Central Bloc Cebu on March 22-31 to end the month-long celebration of International Women’s Day. A free legal mission by the Cella and product sales by various women organizations will be held at the Ayala Central Bloc ground floor until March 31.