“FOR THE LOVE of art and history,” the Social Sciences and Humanities Association (SSHA) organized this year’s Obra Likha Sining, with the theme: Tunggalian sa Pagiging Bayan, with a series of in-campus activities relating to art and Philippine history last May 15 at the St. Anselm’s Building. 

Obra Likha Sining is SSHA’s flagship activity done annually. Mariella Therese Pantoni, President of SSHA and activity chairperson of Obra Likha Sining, disclosed how the rationale of the activity was “to look at art from different perspectives.” “So last year, we looked at art from the perspective of religion. This year, we look at art through the perspective of Philippine history,” she added. 

To set out, the hosts, Yzabel Capobres and Zildjan Florendo, initiated the icebreaker game, 4 Pics 1 Word, followed by a spiel of asking the participants on whether they would like to go back to the past or not—aligning with the event’s theme of reminiscing history.  
Afterwards, participants were then asked to harness their inner artist and use their creativity through participating in the paint by numbers activity.  This was then followed with the Quiz Bee Portion where the participants’ knowledge of Filipino history was tested. The questions were divided into six categories all relating to Filipino culture and history, namely: Holidays, Heroes, Popular Destinations, Artworks, Folk Music, and Literature. 

Eventually, the winners for each activity were awarded. Angelica Coderos and Dianne Radel Magallon won the Paint by Numbers activity. While Chester Agustin, Kjel Doronio, and Jose Fragata, collectively known as Team Holy Roman Empire, championed in the Quiz Bee portion. 

In relation to the Obra Likha Sining event, SSHA also conducted an Online Photo Exhibit displaying photographs of historical landmarks and artworks around the Philippines. And finally, to cap the event, SSHA hosted an online academic discussion exploring the stories of Emilio Aguinaldo and Andres Bonifacio from their guest speaker, Mr. Michael Anjielo of Project Saysay, along with SSHA’s Sean Audric Uy and Mariella Pantoni. 

The event, in partnership with San Beda Student Council (SBSC), Bedan Business Spectrum (BBS), Kulturang Laya Bedista (KLB), San Beda Red Lens (SBRL), The Bedan (TB), and The Spires, was originally planned to be an outside activity. But even amid transitioning from an outside to an in-campus setup, this year’s Obra Likha Sining was still marred with a series of setbacks.  

Looking behind-the-scenes, Pantoni revealed how the event “was [originally] planned to be a museum tour, literally, Cavite to San Juan, however, due to the memos given by Dr. Marvin, the dean, also the Manila LGU, we had to recalibrate it during the time it was supposed to take place,” referring to the announcements and memorandums of banning outside activities following the rising heat index.  

Pantoni showed a glimpse of what’s behind the scenes. “It (the event) was planned to be a museum tour, literally, Cavite to San Juan, however, due to the memos given by Dr. Marvin and the dean, also the Manila LGU, we had to recalibrate it during the time it was supposed to take place.” She says, referring to the outside activity ban in San Beda University (SBU) due to the rising heat index. Despite all that, SSHA was able to bring the supposedly out-of-campus “history trip” inside SBUM.  

“Yung pinaka highlight is yung Quiz Bee kasi yung dapat matututunan nila sa museum tour, nilagay nalang namin sa quiz bee.” said Mariella when asked about the highlights of the event, stating it was one of their ways of bringing the museum experience into classroom walls. 
 
(with Dianne Radel Magallon)