Free Art Therapy Master Class Set in Kalibo

KALIBO, Aklan- The Boracay Island News Network (BINN), in cooperation with Bagong Kalibo, is staging a free art therapy master class session for students on November 10, 2023 Friday.

The speaker, who is an art therapy advocate internationally, is Eric Egualada, who hails from Angono, Rizal, the art capital of the Philippines.

To be held at the Third Floor Old Building, Magsaysay Park Kalibo, the one-day training face-to-face session is supported by Kalibo Mayor Juris Bautista-Sucro, Vice Mayor Cynthia Dela Cruz, the Municipal Tourism Office and the Kiwanis Club of Kalibo Ati-atihan.

Egualada told the Boracay Island News Network that he volunteered to conduct an art therapy session, especially for poor students in Kalibo, after reports from the Philippine National Police that many young people got depressed because of the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

“I wanted to help young people bring out the best in them through arts and painting. This will also help promote young people to enhance their talents in art and creativity,” Egualada said.

It was gathered that several students who are Persons with Disabilities (PWD) in Kalibo are joining the art therapy sessions. Egualada will teach the participants to do art and painting in two sessions.

The program will start at 9 a.m. and will culminate by 5 p.m.

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Egualada has supported the Philippine Red Cross-Boracay for their lifeline program on mental health. Some of those who attended expressed hope after suffering from mental breakdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He was also commissioned by Shangri-la Boracay to help Boracay’s ati children learn the craft of art.

Egualada has been featured in several publications, including the ANC Channel because of his advocacy in various art mediums.

The masterclass speaker is a visual artist and art educator with 35 years of experience in the field.He launched nine solo exhibits in Manila and Boracay, showcasing talent and his expertise in the art world.

In addition, he also served as an art specialist at the Regional School for the Arts in Angono Rizal, where he shared his knowledge and passion for art with the next generation of artists.

He was also hired as a resident artist and ambassador of the arts and culture of Crimson Boracay, where he continues to create and inspire others with his art.

As a Filipino artist, he is also training young artists from all over the world through online arts classes.

For interested students, please register by messaging the Facebook page of the Boracay Island News Network. Also, participants are encouraged to bring art materials such as illustration boards, pencils, oil pastel, pentel pens, and pencil sharpener.