𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 || 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬: 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐄𝐝 𝐁𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲

𝑉𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑎 𝑅. 𝑁𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑎

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑎𝑤𝑎 𝑃𝑢𝑙𝑠𝑒

𝐵𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑛 𝐶𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝐷𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

BUTUAN CITY, February 28, 2025—To cultivate an enjoyable and valuable learning experience through arts, the DepEd Butuan City Division hosted the Division Arts Appreciation Day on February 27, 2025, at the SM Events Center in Butuan City to celebrate National Arts Month. The event immersed Butuanon kindergarten learners engaged in various artistic activities. Themed "Empowering Young Minds Through Art," the event also served as an avenue for parents, stakeholders, and educators to collaborate in guiding these young learners as they shape and build their dreams.

"It takes a whole village to raise a child, and it also takes our collaborative efforts to guide the hands of these innocent children in building their future," emphasized Dr. Minerva T. Albis, Schools Division Superintendent. She also highlighted the importance of art in making the children easily understand their basic rights, including their right to education, self-expression, and good mental health.

The event provided a hands-on learning experience, ensuring that each child was guided by loving hands—their parents, teachers, and stakeholders—toward realizing their artistic potential. The activities included story presentations, hands-on color mixing, nature prints, flip art presentations, paper plate animal crafting, and the distribution of free art supplies. These activities were all integrated with essential life lessons such as faith in God, children's rights, financial literacy, and environmental awareness. They fostered artistic self-expression while strengthening the bond between children and their parents, creating cherished memories.

Moreover, the event's success was made possible through the collaborative spirit and unwavering support from various stakeholders: Agusan National High School Batch 1999, led by President Engr. Eldovrele Zoilo, provided supplies and snacks; Division Federation STPA Officers, headed by President Rosalito B. Libres, contributed snacks for the participants; Dr. Jevron Chris Peñalver supplied illustration boards for the children's artworks; Likha Karaga, with Club President Mr. Rhoderick Candelario, provided paints and facilitators; Church of Christ – Ladies-Children Ministry volunteered facilitators and teachers; Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, represented by Regie G. Lopez, donated coloring materials; Commission on Human Rights, led by Mr. Edson B. Alijo and Sheamin Lae C. Dogmoc, together with CSU student interns, served as facilitators; and Gawad Kalinga generously provided notebooks, pencils, and crayons for the children.

The event concluded with a sense of fulfillment and pride as the children proudly displayed their colorful art pieces. Innocent smiles and the cheerful distribution of balloons marked the end of a truly memorable day. This smooth and engaging atmosphere was made possible by the skillful facilitation of Mr. Domingo C. Nollora III, SEPS, SMN, under the leadership of SDS Dr. Minerva T. Albis and OIC-SGOD Chief Dr. Fe M. Puspus.

By appreciating the diverse forms of art, the event reinforced the idea that art is more than just a pastime—it is a powerful tool for education, communication, and societal change. The "little hands" guided on this day will undoubtedly shape the nation's future, one masterpiece at a time.

Photo Credits Jong Madelo Photography

For more information, contact (085) 221-1151; 0961-737-08-73; 0977-739-44-53. Website: www.caraga.deped.gov.ph; email: caraga@deped.gov.ph; pau_caraga@deped.gov.ph.

𝐄𝐍𝐃