CEBU, Philippines – I-Witness documented a nerve-wracking and dazzling real-life reality show, but did not stage it—a public high school did. The school is the only one of its kind, the famed Philippine High School for the Arts in the secluded woods of Mt. Makiling, Laguna, the alma mater of many arts luminaries.
For the first time in its history, the PHSA called for a live audition of aspirants for the 40 annual scholarships, worth P300,000 per student per year.
Howie Severino immersed in the week-long auditions and focused on the lives of three applicants as they go through an emotional roller-coaster in a tranquil environment.
Ziv is a shy home-taught classical guitarist who lost his mother to breast cancer two years ago; Joan, despite the trauma of her first rejection, applies again; and folk dancer aspirant Jason auditions to help his single mother.
Triumph in these auditions means not only a free, world-class arts education, but an opportunity for an artistic career and a chance to represent their country overseas, like many other PHSA alumni before them.
Watch how these promising young artists compete to be the next Iskolar ng Sining on I-Witness airing this Monday after Saksi.