CyberFair Project ID: 4512

Close this Window

NOTE: Due to URL changes, some links may no longer be valid.

International Schools CyberFair Project Narrative
Title: Cebu: A Self-Portrait
Category: 8. Local Music and Art Forms
URL: http://cyberfair.cie.edu
Bibliography: http://cyberfair.cie.edu/bibliography.html

School: Centre for International Education Global Colleges
    Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines

16 students, ages 13-18 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on March 16, 2006. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 2003, 2004 & 2005

Classes and Teachers: T. Virginia Verdun & selected students from Level 9, Level 10, Level 11 & Level 12

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://www.cie.edu

Project Overview

1. Description of Our Community

There have been many ways; many attempts to try and describe Cebu, with its unique blend of music, arts and sports, there has been no adjective quite close enough to capture its essence other than the name itself. Cebu in itself has become an adjective. While most foreigners say that what attract them to Cebu, is its romantic allure, a sort of romantic spot, locals simply enjoy the “middle-paced” life they live: not too slow, as one would often find in the mountains or countryside, and not too fast, as one would find among the hustle and bustle of daily life in the capital city of the country, Manila - perhaps that contributes to the idea that Cebu is a little bit of everything. A “halo-halo” (mixture) of people, culture and anything you could probably think of. Ask about 100 different people about their thoughts on Cebu and you would be sure to get 100 different answers. Cebu is many things to many people. Thinking about it, perhaps it is the people, the community that shape Cebu into what it is today. From its ancestors during the time of Lapu-Lapu – to the rich cultural and religious influences embraced by Rajah Humabon and his wife Queen Juana during the Spanish colonial time; to the liberal educational system and western ideas introduced during the American colonial period; to the leather and metal crafts, and some agriculture industries introduced during the Japanese occupation, have contributed in making Cebu a “melting pot” of mixed colonial flavors eventually making it a haven of its own distinct culture. What lure the tourists are actually not the serene beaches, the interesting history, and cuisine but the people. Whether they are found in their cheerful greetings of “Maayong Buntag” (Good Morning) or their hospitable nature that simply radiates from their cheerful smiles, nothing becomes more interesting than the prospect of meeting each and everyone of them. Perhaps one would never find the perfect metaphors to describe the distinct romantic attitude of Cebu and its people. But there are always some things that are better described when experienced.

2. Summary of Our Project

The project aims to give Cebu Art and its visual artists a chance for global exposure, with the hope of educating the world about its culture and its constant development. There are noteworthy works of art from all around Cebu, masterpieces of innovative artists whose works remain nameless and themselves faceless in the global art community. Not only does our project showcase the works of these ‘faceless’ artists, it dives deeper, giving the viewer not only the ability of understanding the artist’s frame of mind, but also deciphering the artist himself in a momentary glimpse of his soul. From the young radical painters to the more experienced veterans dubbed “The Godfathers of Cebu Art”, the project showcases some of Cebu’s most prominent artists. Though most of them have already participated in many local and international competitions, they still remain unrecognized. The authors sincerely hope that with the launch of this website, they would finally be able to paint faces in the hidden facets of Cebu’s visual artists.

3. Our Computer and Internet Access

A. Percentage of students using the Internet at home:more than 50%

B. Number of workstations with Internet access in the classroom:more than 6

C. Connection speed used in the classroom:dedicated connection

D. Number of years our classroom has been connected to the Internet:more than 6

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

The life of a high school student is not always as easy as it looks. We have to deal with the tight schedule as we are fast approaching the end of the school year. We had to prioritize, switching between studying for the exams, working on the countless projects, and dealing with our minimal work time. Time has been the enemy from the beginning, a foe we could only overcome by sheer numbers. We had to divide ourselves into different groups that focused mainly on content, layout and graphics design. The members had to switch in between classes and free time to work on this site. Coming from different levels, we had to operate using “tag-team” tactics wherein one group member of one level would do his share of the work in one period of computer class and another would continue whatever he left unfinished during his period of computer class. It was quite crude, but it nevertheless proved effective.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

Having experienced this year’s cyberfair gave us an outlook on how a short glance could differ greatly from a long look. The cyber fair team has never truly learned how to appreciate the art that was right in front of us. When given the chance to interview the artists, we did not know what to expect. Through our interviews we were able to somehow quantify the depth of an artist’s soul. We learned that through painting, the artist obtains the power to alter reality, to instill a piece of his soul into each layer of paint on canvas, infusing a deep meaning, his heartfelt deference.

6. How did your activities and research for this CyberFair Project support standards, required coursework and curriculum standards?

It is somewhat ironic that Filipinos, who recognize art as a major contributor in the development of Filipino culture, fail to see its importance in the curriculum of schools. Though not entirely forgotten altogether, the subject is somewhat under-appreciated. In all honesty, even in our school, art is only a minor subject. Art is not the focus of our curriculum, as the curriculum is centered on the idea that through the right type of academic molding, the school succeeds in creating future ‘Intrapreneurs”. An Intrapreneur is someone who takes direct responsibility for turning an idea into a profitable finished product through assertive risk-taking and innovation. The school promulgates the idea that before one is able to make any revolutionizing changes, he must first initiate change from within his sphere. Our school (Centre for International Education Science and Information Technology High school) has provided us with the necessary tools and the chance to apply what we have learned. Before we are able to influence a rapid change in the Philippine Curriculum, we must first start with our local community. By influencing those around us, by serving as an inspiration for future ideals, they themselves become carriers of change, inspiring others to do the same. Doing this unites us under one cause. As Filipinos we must return to our roots and unite our senses with our culture, to be able to inspire the world and show the world the beauty of the minds and hearts of the Filipino people.

Top
Project Elements

1) What information tools & technologies did you used to complete your CyberFair project?

There are 35 computers available for student use in the computer laboratory and we reserved 16 of them for cyber fair use only. The operating system is Windows XP and we used Photoshop, Macromedia Flash, and Macromedia Dreamweaver. Digital cameras were used to capture most of the pictures in the site, and then uploaded into the computers for editing. Personal interviews were recorded through tape recorders, and good old-fashioned pen and paper.

2) In what ways did you act as "ambassadors" and spokespersons for your CyberFair project both on-line and in person.

We are 'ambassadors' for our country in a way that by promoting the art of our province, we ourselves learn, and help the rest of the world, learn about our province. By learning about our art, we remember and appreciate our rich culture and history. We are capable of doing many things as the Youth of our beloved island, and by remembering the past we can unite ourselves in the present and contribute to a successful future.

3) What has been the impact of your project on your community?

In the past, Cebuano art has earned its rightful place in the pasture of excellence. We hope to show the youth of today the forgotten struggles, innocence, brilliance, and emotions that the artists have captured through their stroke of the brush. From grand moments in history to simple moments of life, these examples have served as an inspiration for our artists that only they could capture through the stroke of a brush. Our project inspires young artists on. Our site functions as an exit from the complexities of everyday life and a threshold into the minds of our artist so that the people could see on what the Cebuano artist is capable of in skill and thought.

4) How did your project involve other members of your community as helpers and volunteers?

In a way, our seniors have proven themselves as witnesses of those great Cebuano artists that we were too young to remember. They contributed their vision of excellence of Cebuano art to our generation and maybe we would be able to do the same thing for the next.

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

Working on this project was a fun experience for all of us, we were able to contribute our talents to the group and at the same time learned new things from the talents of the other members. Most importantly, we were able to share our talents and skills we have learned from school to showcase Cebu's arts as a means of expressing their culture and beliefs.

Top

View our CyberFair Project (Project ID: 4512)

Close this Window