The first batch of the Basic Level Visual Arts Workshop and Learn the Basic: The Foundation of Dance Class of the Baybay City’s School For The Arts will graduate this month. Professor Jude Nonie Sales of the Visayas State University, one of the Resource Persons for the Basic Level Visual Arts Workshop, has revealed.

The Baybay City School For The Arts at the Binaybayon Complex, Diversion Road, Barangay Hibunawan, Baybay City, Leyte, was inaugurated and launched last December 12, 2022. Afterward, the school invited learners of all ages to enroll in the visual arts workshop or the dance class, which started on December 17 and 21, respectively.

Prof. Sales also revealed that they were overwhelmed by the public response as more learners had signified to enroll compared to the limited number of learners per class. He said they might enroll in the ensuing months as the center will offer year-round activities to promote visual arts and other art forms to develop artistic and cultural appreciation among Baybayanons.

Mayor Jose Carlos L. Cari initially planned to teach not only our children but also adults and even senior citizens about three (3) forms of arts first -visual arts, music, and dance, before expanding to other forms of art. However, the ultimate objective of Baybay City’s School for the Arts is to produce world-class artists and talent to represent Baybay City in various cultural and art competitions. “We will also try to attract talents, so we can organize different art groups in the city and district to showcase the talents of the Baybayons and Leyteños in general in various exhibitions and performances,” added Prof. Sales.

During his Opening Remarks, Schools Division Super-intendent Dr. Carmelino P. Bernadas revealed that this is the brainchild of Baybay City Mayor. Hon. Jose Carlos L. Cari believes it is one of the active expressions of the Lihok Baybay initiatives of the City of Baybay. He is also thankful that LGU Baybay tapped the Department of Education and Visayas State University to help with the programs offered at the said School For The Arts.

In his message, City Mayor Cari added that this is a pioneering effort of the LGU with the help of DepEd and VSU as a Center of Excellence in Education. He also said that with Baybay City’s School For The Arts, Baybay City would hopefully become the Center of Excellence for the Arts, being the first Local Government Unit to establish such a school.

He thanked Congressman Carl Nicolas C. Cari of the 5th District of Leyte for providing the fund for this project in the amount of P20M. He also thanked the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), headed by Vice Mayor Atty. Ernesto Butawan for appropriating funds to purchase the lot needed for the school and all the necessary equipment to meet the school’s goal.

Mayor Cari also thanked his sister, Architect Pauline Cari- Perez and her husband, Architect Raffy Perez for designing Baybay City’s School for the Arts, the Immaculate Conception Hospital, and the Lintaon Church for free.

According to Prof. Sales, “We are starting with baby steps and eventually gigantic strides to promote the Baybayanon culture and the arts led by Baybay City LGU, VSU, and DepEd. But of course, big credit to Cong. Carl, Mayor Boying, and the SP for sourcing the needed resources and workforce to realize the program.”