The Event Called "Sining"

By Jeremiah Torrico

I can still remember back in high school, I heard my classmates planned to join this certain art competition. They were saying that this would be organized by students from UP Diliman, and that they were excited about joining. They told me every detail they know about it and, based from those, I thought it was just a usual type of art contest; you make your art, wait for it to be judged, and win (although, of course, the possibility of losing should also be prepared for). There was nothing unusual on it for me. Even its name, which literally means art in Filipino, also made me think of it as a normal contest suitable for amateur high school artists. Somewhat a typical high school competition where you do your best to grab the gold and brag about it. I never knew much about this Sining. Not until I went to college and join the UP Aguman.

During my first semester of being a member of the UP Aguman, I was invited to be a part of the ad hoc committee for the Sining 2007. I was so excited because I thought it would be an easy task just looking over a high school event, making colorful backdrops and props, watching the contestants do their thing while waiting excitedly (and impatiently) over who’s going to win. I was convinced that Sining was nothing but a mere art competition where high school students showcase their artistic prowess just to find out who’s the best at the end of the day. Until one time, I realized there was something different, something sort of consistent. The contest events in Sining seem to have something in common. They appear to focus on things that made the whole competition stand out among all the other art contests I’ve ever known. Their themes were all about things that I am very much aware about, things that are not uncommon to me. These things that have been part of me, things that I have taken for granted—being Kapampangan and being proud of it.

Sining, as it turns out, is an event that aims to incorporate the Kapampangan identity in showcasing the artistic endowments of young Kapampangan student artists as a way of uplifting and preserving the Kapampangan culture. It was then that I realized why the contest event Crisotan was given too much priority in Sining. It was actually during my first time to participate in Sining when I first heard of Crisotan. I thought it was just a Kapampangan version of the ever famous Balagtasan, but its implications reflect more than that. These events like Crisotan are more than just gateways of talents but are means of continuing the legacy of Kapampangan artistry that our Kapampangan ancestors initiated.

The other Sining events, on the other hand, seem to be in shape for different purposes. A friend of mine once asked me, “If this Sining is really Kapampangan oriented, then why do you hold events using languages other than Kapampangan?” He surely was referring to events like the poetry writing, impromptu speech, essay writing and declamation, all of which require the contestants to use either the English or Filipino language. It really was difficult to answer such an implicative question, but come to think of it, I was able to understand that these events were really not intended solely for the preservation of the Kapampangan heritage. Nevertheless, it doesn’t necessarily mean that these events are not in line with the goals of Sining. Instead, they are actually means of achieving the main objective of Sining; to allow young Kapampangan student artists to uphold their Kapampangan identity amidst the changing social trends brought about by foreign influences. Nowadays, educational curriculums dictate students to use only the English and Filipino language as the medium of instruction. Recognizing this is the reason why Sining opted to make some of its events in parallel with educational institutions in choosing the language to be used. By these, the greatest, most inevitable challenge of change is being considered. Nonetheless, Sining is able to set the momentum stable in maintaining its focus on the Kapampangan culture by integrating Kapampangan social issues on its themes, emphasizing the importance of the perspective of Kapampangans towards these predicaments.

Beyond doubt, Sining has been able to make important contributions in uplifting the Kapampangan legacy, at the same time recognizing the fact that artistry should always go hand-in-hand with socio-cultural concerns. Sining may not be the best art competition, but it is undoubtedly the perfect venue in showcasing the Kapampangan culture, artistry and talents.

Day 2, February 21, 2009, SM City Clark
Featuring the following competitions:
Declamation
Solo Singing
Interpretative Dance
Modern Streetdance
Rockoustic Band