THE NON-PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) showcased an art exhibit with the theme “Laudato Si: Reconciliation with Creation” last October 4 at the Pamanang Bedista to commemorate San Beda University’s (SBU) declaration that it is going to be a “Laudato Si’ University.”
This is a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Association (SSHA), the Bedan Advocacy and Consciousness Enhancement Association (BACES), Bedan Business Spectrum (BBS), Bedan Volunteers (BV), ECHOES, San Beda Electoral Board (ELBO), Kulturang Laya Bedista (KLB), San Beda Red Lens, San Beda University – Collective Action Towards Strays (SBU-CATS), The Bedan, and the San Beda Elite Circle of Ushers and Usherettes (SBECU).
Considering the declaration of the University as a “Laudato Si’ campus,” the event’s exhibit was entitled as “Laudato Si: Reconciliation with Creation.” It highlighted the Bedan organizations’ interpretations of the Laudato Si’ theme goals through various forms of art. The stated goals were the adoption of simple lifestyle, psychological education, ecological spirituality, community engagement and participatory action, response to the cry of the earth, response to the cry of the poor, and ecological economics.
When asked about the exhibit’s slogan, “Reconciliation with Creation,” Reychel Panganiban, the president of KLB, explained how it has to do with where anyone came from the beginning. “Gusto natin na bumalik pa rin sa pinanggalingan natin. Kung ano yung pagpapahalaga natin sa gawa ng Panginoon na biniyaya niya sa atin, ‘di ba? Kaya babalik at babalik pa rin tayo sa pagpapahalaga sa kalikasan,” she said.
Denise Gaelle Pangilinan, the President of San Beda Red Lens, meanwhile added that she and the rest of the involved organizations wanted to create an “experience” through the artworks that were featured in the exhibit.
She hoped, if anyone would immerse themselves in the art, to look at the details and how it came to be, while hoping how the exhibit’s presentations would serve as an avenue for contemplating to understanding Laudato Si’s meaning.
Paolo Aquino, a member of the Red Lens, took one of the photos featured in the exhibit entitled “Rosas,” which displayed a blue sky behind a woman in red, was chosen for its simplicity and powerful message.
Pangilinan explained how the color red “symbolizes power, confidence, and nag-rereflect siya rin sa theme na na-assign sa amin which is yung sa response to the cry of the earth which is the fact that we have this power as individuals, to take on various mediums, various actions, kung paano mapakita, kung paano tayo nag-rerespond sa mga environmental concerns natin.”
On the other hand, KLB featured two photos, the first one being named “Handog Ligaya at Pag-asa” taken by Lyrah Ruth Dacal, while the second one, “Layunin at Dasal”, was also taken by Dacal with Lainette Iglesias.
Panganiban then discussed that two artworks were portrayals of their organization’s experiences with their participation in the community engagements. By the end of the activity, both presidents were pleased with the overall launch of the Laudato Si art exhibit.
“Bedans seem to understand the Laudato Si theme because of how many people participated in the pledge,” Pangilinan said, while applauding the many Bedans who showed genuine interests in the overall theme of the event portrayed through artworks.