BAGUIO CITY – Residents of Barangays Lualhati and Santa Escolastica benefited from the free art class, mural launching, and urban gardening seminar by Councilor Leandro Yangot Jr. The program highlighted the benefits of both art and urban gardening in the community. Councilor Yangot, Chairperson of the Committee on Urban Planning, Lands, and Housing encouraged citizens of all ages to participate in both the art classes and the urban gardening seminar.
The young children of the barangay participated in the free art program, where they learned how to sketch from Yangot and participated in workshops with artists that came with the councilor. Meanwhile, the senior citizens listened to the seminar and received free starting seeds at the end of the program.
The art lesson that is in target of all barangays of Baguio was initiated because of his passion for the arts. “I am an artist, God gave me the talent to draw and paint. We are just sharing it with the young generation but even the older generation because Baguio is a creative city,” he said. The lesson is a pavement to aim that people will be creative in Baguio. “They may draw, paint, sing, dance, cook, plant, or speak well,” he added.
The urban gardening was revived from its first project in 1997 and it skyrocketed during the pandemic and on social media. “We would like a green Baguio. We would like safe food because it’s organic and to have clean air because of the absorption of trees, bamboos, and plants. We would like these species to sprout in Baguio and the city will be beautiful because we have plants around.
Yangot also initiates these programs to be a regular activity for the people in barangays due to its declaration as the first creative city in the Philippines and a vegetable urban center. “In urban gardening, you are assured of security,” he said.
The project is said to be open for all ages. Meanwhile, Sta. Escolastica Village Barangay Captain shared her sentiments on how children should have access to these skills while they’re still young.
“Sana sa ibang tao rin na gusto e-share yung talent nila… gawin din nila, para mailabas nila. Nakakatulong kasi iyon eh” Ms. Estepa said.
Councilor Yangot then further announced his plans to continue the project as he has professional artists supporting him for which he feels grateful for. He also mentioned that when he started planning, he was only aiming for 25 mural walls until December 2024, as luck would have it, the Sta. Escolastica Village Mural Wall is the 36th already and the 37th would be at Barangay Salud Mitra soon.
When asked of the project’s objectives, Hon. Yangot emphasized, “For Baguio! Para sa bayan! We want Baguio to be a creative city. Para sa adbokasiya! No government funds have been used!”
The intention is visible to all residents as they continue to have access to free art education from Baguio’s finest artists By Michael Dadd, Janine Laureta, and Audree Lumauig
