Creative writing for the young
The authors of Handumanan
Writing plays a vital role in human existence. That is why the ability to write well is a rare talent that needs to be enhanced through practice. The support of the people around us is also important because this boosts one's abilities.
That is why the Iloilo National High School Special Program for the Arts (INHA-SPA) published "Handumanan", a literary folio of it students and "Mga Tingog sang Balay" by Elaine Marie Conte and Shally Ann Villanueva as its way of support to Iloilo's young creative writers.
The INHS SPA is housed at the Santiago
Defensor Building
"Handumanan" contains the literary pieces of students Mea Rose Babar, Gene Joshmer De Mesa, Paul Franzchel De Mesa, Joenric Madrillo, John Gian Carlo Matia, Ma. Angelica Palec, Jesther Rose Rojas, Eunice Guadalope, Jam Balin, Pauline Marie Jordan and Phillip Pacificar.
The book has three parts --- poems, prose and plays.
"Mga Tingog sang Balay" contains plays by Conte and prose by Villanueva.
Shally Ann Villanueva
Art professor Vic Fario designed the book covers while printing was done by Goldline Printers.
"The word 'writing' never crossed my mind. I was not able to express myself, my belief and views through writing before I went to the SPA," Conte said of her thoughts before entering the program.
THE PROGRAM
The creative writing program of the SPA is headed by Mario Celo, principal; Dr. Evelyn Sorolla, assistant to the principal for programs and projects, program consultant; Diary Sargado, program head; Rex Genova, academic coordinator; Brainard Consumo, arts coordinator; Alain Russ Dimzon, subject chairperson; and Submi Arellano and Ivy Funtanilla, faculty.
Elain Marie Conte shares her
thoughts about her book during
its launching
The SPA is one of the eight schools within a high school at the INHS. Here, students major in the fields of creative writing, dance, music, theater and visual arts.
The SPA is the first school for the arts outside Luzon and Mindanao that was founded in 1997 when INHS Principal Dr. Riza S. Amaguin worked on her vision of awakening the artistic potentials of Iloilo's young people through a program that would enable them to take up basic secondary education and at the same time focus on a major art field suited to their talents.