Chinese art workshop

CEBU, Philippines - Fourteen children learned Chinese Art in workshop sessions that spanned from March 28 to April 8, 2011 at the Cosmos Foundation Building on Colon Street, this city.

The participants, mostly of Chinese descent, are John Philip Amante, Cheska Renee Ang, Danielle Waverly Ang, Nate Rayner Ang, Gabriela Garcia, Caitlin Daniella Go, Dannah Sophia Key, Loraine Gaile Kyamko, Nicole Adrienne Lim, Robson Floyd Lim, Elysha Janine Quilacio, Jaeda Erin Quilacio, Christiana Gail So and Liz Dominique So who learned painting and crafts from Mr. Radel Paredes, assisted by Mr. Wesley Rasines.

Teacher Radel taught the participants how to grind ink sticks on a little stone well. The kids used a bamboo brush to paint either bees or tadpoles on paper, as well as cherry blossoms or bamboo twigs on a paper lantern.

With the help of Teacher Wesley, the children got exposed to sculpting using real clay (terra cotta) and painting Beijing opera masks using plaster of Paris.

For arts and crafts, the children made hand puppets from “bulsitas” (brown paper bags). The puppets had hair made of yarn in assorted colors. They also had eyes, noses and mouths made of cutout art papers. Some puppets had colorful neckties with dots and other colored strips pasted on them. Aside from the puppets and paper lanterns, there were also hanging fish décor made from scrap paper.

The outputs of the said workshop are now on display at the third floor of the Cosmos Foundation Bldg. (in between Gaisano Bakeshop and Everet Shoe Center). The exhibit opened last May 28.

This is the first Chinese Art Workshop sponsored by Cebu Dynamic Youth led by Mr. Devin Go.

Sir Devin said that the group promotes Chinese culture here in Cebu because some children of Chinese-Filipino parents, nowadays, tend to forget about their cultural roots.

The interactive sessions brought the children back to what is truly their own.