𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻; 𝗞𝗶𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝟮

Report by Diya Nicole Gurung and Anthonette Aspiras | Photos by JM Magday

In celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, fourth-year Psychology students from the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) in partnership with COESSE – TSU Psychological Society, organized an art exhibition themed, “Sining Paghilom: Ginhawa sa Lente ng mga Ordinaryong Manggagawa,” this October 30-31 at the TSU-COE AVR.

Fourth-year Psychology student, Kia Mallari, was awarded Top 2 with her art piece titled, “Makinaryang May Kaluluwa.”

The event judges included CASS Psychology Instructors Ms.Jazmin Dizon and Mr.Daniel Dizon, along with Mr.Ar. Paolo Andrew Hasegawa from the College of Architecture and Fine Arts.

The following students claimed the Top 3:

Top 1: “Sulyap ng Sibol sa Hinagpis” by Allen Torres of College of Computer Studies (CCS) – 86.51%

Top 2: “Makinaryang May Kaluluwa” by Kia Mallari of CASS – 78.59%

Top 3 and People’s Choice: “Baka Bukas” by Myka Bonita of College of Architecture and Fine Arts (CAFA) – 77.82%

Mallari shared that she had “no time to think of new concepts and schedule a shoot,” hence, choosing her piece from her past photographs, featuring a musician from a gig she attended last June 2024.

“They represent artists and people in general who were forced to mechanize their souls in preparation for survival. I specifically chose that photo because the slow shutter effect looks like a “kaluluwa” which became the major deciding factor to showcase that picture,” Mallari said.

She also explained that in Sikolohiyang Pilipino, “kaluluwa” is the core of one’s personality and is the way to know a person deeply, which is also connected with the event’s theme “ginhawa”.

“The fact that these musicians were machineries to the capitalist society, and the fact that their passion in music representing their “kaluluwa” are revived in this type of gatherings made me feel like that moment was specifically captured for this competition, and that finally, they become “makinaryang may kaluluwa,” she continued.

Moreover, COESSE President, Kyra David, closed the program with a speech expressing gratitude to the artists, course facilitator Ms.Jazmin Dizon, partnered organizations, and CASS Publication – The Oracle.

“As we leave today, let’s carry this commitment to prioritizing mental health in our work places even for students, of course, in the near future and together we can create spaces for everyone [where they] can thrive, contributing to a healthier, more productive work force and may we also strive to contribute sa kaginhawaan ng ating mga ordinaryong manggagawa,” David stated.

Furthermore, the art exhibition featured interactional activities during its first day, such as the “Gratitude Wall” or sticky note messages, “Garbage of Emotions,” photo booth, mood board, and a wall where visitors were allowed to paint.

Additionally, the closing program included a game of translating English words to Filipino, round of charades, an intermission number by their busking team and Psych Idols, and screening of their documentary film.

The two-day art exhibition showcased the art entries of Tarlac State University students from different colleges, in line with the Mental Health Awareness Month celebration.