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Manila Bulletin devider Embassies at Work devider Seniskwela Cross-Cultural Art Program

Seniskwela Cross-Cultural Art Program

Published Mar 26, 2024 02:43 am
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While in Malabon, H.E. Dato' Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino paid a courtesy call on Mayor Jeannie N. Sandoval at the Malabon City Hall. In the photo are (L-R) Ms. Nadhirah Mohammad Zanudin, Counsellor; Mrs. Nurriha Ahmad, Counsellor; Ambassador Melvin; Mayor Sandoval; Mrs. Yazlina Azlin Yahya, Tourism Attaché; and Mrs. Hazlina Mohammed Hatta, Counsellor. 

In conjunction with the 60th anniversary of the bilateral relations between Malaysia and the Philippines, the Embassy of Malaysia in Manila, in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia, Artdialogo Asia Founding Artist and CEO  Anna Karina Jardin and the Department of Education's Schools Division of Malabon, organized a cross-cultural art program named "Seniswela." The event took place on Feb. 26, 2024 at Tinajeros National High School in Malabon City.

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Ambassador Melvin giving a plaque of appreciation to Dr. Cecille G. Carandang, Malabon City’s Schools Division Superintendent. Also in the photo is Dr. Rustica R. Lorenzo, Malabon City's Assistant Schools Division Superintendent.
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Ambassador Melvin at the Malabon City disaster risk reduction management office.

Seniswela, derived from Bahasa Melayu term for art, "seni" combined with a Tagalog term for school, "swela" which is short for "eskwelahan," was designed for artists, youth, and educators to discover new cultures and traditions. The event comprised a drawing/painting competition, art workshop, panel discussions, and breakout sessions, providing platforms for collaboration, talent and leadership development, youth empowerment, and the promotion of inclusive public/cultural diplomacy through an artistic and cultural education lens. 

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H.E. Dato' Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino
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Students' output from the Art Workshop and Painting competition.
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Ambassador Melvin and Artdialogo Asia Founding Artist & CEO Ms. Anna Karina Jardin (center) with top 10 students with the best outputs from the Art Workshop.

Gracing the event were His Excellency Dato' Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Republic of the Philippines; Honourable Jeannie N Sandoval, Mayor City of Malabon; Dr. Ceceila G. Carandang, CESO V Schools Division superintendent, Joan A. Lagunda, Charter Club president. There were also specially recorded video messages from Her Excellency Maria Angela Ponce, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to Malaysia; and Tunku Zain 'Al-Abidin Tuanku Muhriz of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS).

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Ribbon cutting during the opening ceremony of SENISWELA. (L-R) Malabon City’s Schools Division SuperintendentDr. Cecille G. Carandang; Malabon City Mayor Jeannie N. Sandoval; Ambassador Melvin; Malabon District Representative Congresswoman Josephine Veronique R. Lacson-Noel and Artdialogo Asia Founding Artist & CEOMs. Anna Karina Jardin.

Among the speakers in the program were Malaysia's leading multiculturalism expert, Dr. Asma Abdullah; Yazlina Yahya, Tourism Attaché of the Embassy of Malaysia; arts professors Helena Sharon Malins from De La Salle - College of St. Benilde and Martin Jerome G. Gli-Cruz from the University of the Philippines-Diliman; founder of Paper Cutters Guild Philippines Alberto Magsumbol; and visual artistsMicah Hilotin and Ethan David Dailo.

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Ambassador Melvin (center) was given a certificate and a token of appreciation during the opening ceremony of SENISKWELA. In the photo with him are (L-R) Ms. Joan A. Lagunda, Charter Club President LY 2024 QC, Premier Elite Lions Club District 301-D1; Ms. Ma. Victoria De Gulan, ED. D., Principal of Tinajeros National High School; Ms. Anna Karina Jardin, Artdialogo Asia Founding Artist & CEO; Malabon City Mayor Jeannie N. Sandoval; Malabon District Representative Congresswoman Josephine Veronique R. Lacson-Noel; Dr. Cecille G. Carandang, Malabon City’s Schools Division Superintendent; Dr. Rustica R. Lorenzo,Malabon City's Assistant Schools Division Superintendent; and Mrs. Nurriha Ahmad and Ms. Nadhirah Muhammad Zanudin, Counsellors at the Embassy of Malaysia, Manila. 

Tourism Malaysia also set up a booth featuring traditional Malaysian costumes for students to try on, pose for pictures, and provide explanations about Malaysian ornaments and crafts on display.

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Ambassador Melvin with Tinajeros National High School students.

In Malabon, H.E. Ambassador Malik seized the opportunity to pay a courtesy call on Mayor Sandoval at City Hall, visit the Department of Education's district office, acquaint himself with the City of Malabon's disaster management system, appreciate the architecture of the San Bartolome church and Martinez house, and gain insights into the mangrove conservation program at La Princesa Tabacalera Elementary School.

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Ambassador Melvin together with officials of the Malabon City government, Malabon City’s Schools Division Office, Tinajeros National High School and the Embassy of Malaysia, and SENISKWELA speakers.

Through Seniswela, the Embassy of Malaysia in Manila aspires that participants gain exposure to foster a better understanding of the world, including self-awareness and cultural appreciation. The event aimed to help individuals recognize both the similarities and differences in the shared heritage of Malaysia and the Philippines.

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