Overcoming shyness through art

She said of the VMC art contest: “I can say that it can unlock opportunities for kids to paint their heart out and (for) sharing their art to the world.” (Pixabay photo)

DUMAGUETE CITY – For a young girl who admits to being timid, art is a helpful tool to overcome shyness and joining art competitions provides a venue for her and other young artists to show their talents, hone their skills and connect with people.

Eleven-year-old Deelan Calumpang, or Dee to family and friends, is among the 10 finalists in the elementary category of the Negros Island-wide 6th Victorias Milling Company (VMC) Inter-School Art Competition held in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

It was her first win, although she had previously joined other art contests, adding that garnering second place in the elementary category in the VMC art contest was a feat for her.

“What inspired me to be an artist is that when I was small, I was shy so I would love to draw by myself in school a lot and I developed drawing skills so it inspires me that I see (how) other artists work,” she said.

Dee, the younger of the two children (her older brother is 20-year-old Renzo) of Phil and Sol Calumpang, is a Grade 6 student at the Silliman University Elementary School in Dumaguete City.

She said of the VMC art contest: “I can say that it can unlock opportunities for kids to paint their heart out and (for) sharing their art to the world.”

Dee, according to her mother, grew up as a “shy kid”, spending most of her free time doing animations or digital art and also dances ballet and tap. She does not watch television or play a lot of computer games anymore because she would rather keep learning more techniques on how to improve her digital art and animation and learn more painting techniques, and pastel and charcoal sketching, Mrs. Calumpang added.

“At the end of the day, she usually sleeps with paints or ink on her hands or her iPad or sketchpad with her latest animation or sketch waiting to be finished the next day. It’s too early to conclude as she is still 11, but yes, art does make kids focus on more productive activities,” she also said.

The VMC Inter-School Arts Contest is held every year to provide a venue for young artists across the island of Negros to improve their talents and skills, specifically in painting.

This year, three young Negros Oriental artists breezed past other finalists from Negros Island to land on the top spots of the two categories in the said art contest.

The winners in the elementary category are 1st placer Kylin Ilagan of the Bais City Science Elementary School in Bais City, Negros Oriental, who won PHP20,000 and a computer package for the school; and 2nd placer Calumpang, who received PHP15,000.

For the secondary category, Dennis James Occeña of La Consolacion College in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental placed first, receiving PHP30,000 and a computer package for his school; while Yul Dionson of Bais City National High School in Bais City, Negros Oriental won 2nd place with PHP20,000.

The winners each received a trophy from award-winning artist Rafael Paderna.

Dee expressed her gratitude to VMC for providing young artists like her with the opportunity to “show people my art”.

Her mother said they are proud that Dee won because there were initially almost 200 art pieces submitted, that was later trimmed down to 67 official entries.

“It is a great achievement for her considering she just went back to painting some weeks ago after six years of concentrating on digital art,” Mrs. Calumpang said.

Ann Tiongco, executive director of VMC Foundation, stressed that “children should not be contented with their current capabilities but they should continue to improve themselves.”

VMC is celebrating its 100th anniversary next year, she noted.

For her part, Maria Esther Espina, VMC communications consultant, said they are happy that every year, they discover new talents and get entries from new towns and cities.

“Our reach is getting wider and our judges have noted that the skills of our contestants have leveled up, which to us means, our advocacy to promote Negrense arts and culture among our youth is on the right track,” she said.

The judges included award-winning artists Charlie Co, Moreen Austria, and Javy Villacin.

This is the 4th time for Negros Oriental to join the VMC Inter-School Arts Contest.

All 20 finalists — 10 each in the elementary and secondary categories — in this year’s tilt will join the company’s summer art workshop in 2019, Espina said.

Meanwhile, Dee has now returned to school after that weekend trip to compete on the other side of the island, “bringing home the bacon” and hoping to go into oil and watercolor painting as her next endeavor.