Art met advocacy as the Department of the Agriculture- Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) Caraga, through its Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project, staged its awarding ceremony for the FishCoRExhibit: Regional Mixed-Media Art Competition, held on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at the Grand Palace Hotel, Butuan City.
Charles BJ Maaño, a civil engineering student from the Caraga State University, emerged victorious and was proclaimed the regional winner, taking home the Php 15,000 cash prize for his artwork “𝘏𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘬𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯”. Meanwhile, Clea Ticia Boquillon from Surigao City, Surigao del Norte earned the 2nd place, bagging a Php 10,000 cash prize. However, two (2) other participants were unable to submit their entries before the competition deadline on April 21, 2025, and had to withdraw from the competition.
Regional director Omnia B. Olama led the ceremonial awarding, together with FishCoRe FCU-Caraga alternate technical coordinator Reynald Gimena, FishCRRM focal Loida B. Arreglado, Agusan del Norte provincial fishery officer Felixberto Tanduyan, and some members of the FCU-Caraga FishCoRe Technical Working Group.
Among the distinguished judges were Morel A. Salva, a multimedia specialist and artist illustrator from the DA-Caraga, Engr. Harrison Espina, a multi-awarded multimedia artist, and Ranna Lillianne Escudero-Ong, an established abstract and mixed-media artist.
In her message, RD Olama expressed heartfelt appreciation for the creativity and advocacy demonstrated by the participants.
“We must harness the power of art — a universal language that transcends barriers and ignites passion. This exhibit proves that art is a powerful vessel for our advocacy as it creates compelling narratives and inspires collective action toward a sustainable future,” RD Olama said.
RD Olama also noted that part of the competition’s guidelines is to incorporate recycled materials such as ghost nets and scrap boat parts, underscoring the importance of upcycling and promoting environmentally-conscious creations.
“Let us continue to support initiatives that combine art and environmental advocacy as we work together toward achieving sustainable fisheries and climate-resilient coastal communities,” RD Olama concluded.
Assistant technical coordinator Reynald Gimena also underscored the importance of youth engagement in sustainable fisheries management.
“Our youth hold significant influence, whether in theater, art exhibits, or other creative platforms, to influence the decision-making of their parents, who are directly involved in resource management. That’s why, through the FishCoRe Project, we continue to harness art as a medium to strengthen community awareness and advocacy,” Gimena noted.
Gimena added that initiatives like the FishCoRExhibit play a crucial role in amplifying youth voices, raising public awareness, and inspiring collective action towards a sustainable and climate-resilient future for the country’s fisheries and aquatic resources.
“This FishCoRExhibit is more than a competition; it’s an opportunity for our youth to express their advocacy, influence their communities, and be part of the ongoing conversation about protecting our fisheries and marine ecosystems,” Gimena said.
Maaño’s artwork will be the official entry of the Caraga Region in the FishCoRExhibit: National Mixed-Media Art Competition, set for May 21-22, 2025, in Quezon City, as part of the Month of the Ocean and Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month celebrations.### (Andy T. Ordoña, DA-BFAR Caraga, Information Officer)
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