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[av_heading heading=’‘Art in negative spaces’ Project seeks to sway Iloilo youth gangs away from vice, violence and into art ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By Rhick Lars Vladimer Albay
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“WE want to bring peace and order by aiding the re-integration of various members of gangs in Iloilo City, back into society through the use of art, specifically, mural painting and street art,” explains Kristoffer Brasileño, former president of the Iloilo Visual Artists Collective (IVAC) – now the Hubon Ilonggo – and one of the conveners of Project BONG.
Project BONG stands for “Project Bringing Order to the Nemesis of Gangs” – a rehabilitation program that seeks to gather youth members formerly involved with local gangs in conflict with the law.
Through the efforts of the Women and Children’s Desk of the Police Regional Office 6, these young Ilonggos – often victims of circumstances and poverty – have since ceased violence and conflict and opted to cooperate with authorities in creating an organization with its own leadership structure for their eventual rehabilitation.
“Arts in Negative Spaces” is one of the first activities under Project BONG. Conceptualized by Sam Paguntalan, more popularly known as Ilonggo graffiti artist Wasper, the project aims to be a means to minimize gang vandalism around the city.
The project is part of the city’s diversionary intervention program for the youth – seen to discourage young Ilonggos from joining street gangs, which often lures them into illegal drugs and other vices.
Every Saturday and Sunday, instead of getting involved in unproductive activities or gangs, these young boys will paint the walls of Camp Delgado with murals, together with the artists of Hubon Ilonggo. Their artwork will focus on the theme: “Youth as Duty Bearers of Peace.”
This project is a collaboration of the Iloilo City Government – under the leadership of mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog through the Iloilo City Youth Development Division, the Iloilo City Police Office – Women and Children’s Protection Desk, the Philippine National Police Regional Office 6, Boysen, Hubon Ilonggo president Arel Distor Zambarrano, Iloilo City administrator Atty. Hernando Galvez, and the National Youth Commission through the Office of Commissioner Rhea Penaflor.
The following youth gangs have already participated in a Mural Painting Workshop held at Camp Delgado on Oct. 14: Cool Amigos, Strong Kids, MC Stuffens, MS13, Bad Burn, Be Right Back, and Silent Killer.
“This project will no doubt channel their untapped talents and give them much needed focus,” expressed BrasiIeño.
“I am encouraging my friends in the arts and my fellow members of Hubon Ilonggo to take part in the project as mentors and coaches of the youths during their painting sessions during the weekend,” he concluded./PN
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