DLSU, PhiSci, San Beda win in
IP Philippines-Levi’s art contest

Art in Denim forms part of this year’s celebration of Intellectual Property Rights Week slated on October 22 to 26 as declared in Presidential Proclamation No. 79 (1992). IP Philippines along with other government agencies and private companies are holding several activities to raise the awareness level on IPR and promote its importance.

Despite governing all inventions and creations across industries, intellectual property rights (IPR) remains to be an arcane concept among the youth, and educating them on IPR was the challenge took on by in holding this year’s Art in Denim contest.

“Public-private partnership is one of the strategies of IP Philippines. This partnership with Levi Strauss, holding an art competition for students, is a creative and effective way to educate the youth on IP rights,” said Atty. Adrian S. Cristobal, Jr., Director General of IP Philippines.

“The Art in Denim contest sends out a strong message to young Filipinos. By participating in the contest, they themselves have become copyright owners, enjoying the rights and protection accorded by the IP Code. They are now stakeholders who can take an active part in the fight against piracy,” Cristobal added.

Held recently at the Market! Market! Activity Center in Bonifacio Global City, the contest was joined by 27 schools in Metro Manila. Rock bands 6cycle mind, Pedicab, and Duster performed during the program, which drew the attention of the Sunday shoppers of the mall.

Bagging the plum in the college level was the De La Salle University – Dasmariñas team, composed of Deo Michael R. Sioco, Jeunnese Erica V. Del Rosario, and Willard Malones.

“We wanted to create something that is unique, something that would make a ‘bang,’” Del Rosario said. The team constructed a glass-topped coffee table using two pairs of Levi’s® jeans, a Levi’s® T-shirt, and various media.

The Philippine Science High School team, composed of Brandon C. Cueto, Alec Gedrick A. Bercero, and Keziah Ellery L. Tan, won in the high school level with an entry depicting a music player. “People now are into music. We chose what is popular now, [which we can identify with] because we all like music,” said Cueto.

Meanwhile, San Beda College – Alabang students Sofia Beatrice B. Del Carmen, Charlene Mae Buno, and Kaylene Paula R. Rey won in the elementary level through an entry replicating a vinta, a vessel of ancient heritage used by Muslims in the south. “The culture of the Philippines inspired our design,” said Del Carmen.

Ramon Martelino, Country Manager of Levi Strauss Philippines, said, “It’s good to see the students doing their work, practicing their creativity, and transforming what they have in mind into reality. That alone is already a big achievement. Of course, the ultimate end result is respect for and awareness on intellectual property.”

The panel of judges was composed of Mideo Cruz, a 2003 Thirteen Artists’ Awardee of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and 2006 Ateneo Art Awardee; Karen Ocampo Flores, a 1995 Artist in Residence of the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art (PICA) in Western Australia and 2000 Thirteen Artists’ Awardee of CCP; and Joey Samson, honorary member of the Young Designers Guild of the Philippines (YDG) and a member of the Fashion and Design Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

Winners were chosen based on the following criteria: relevance to the theme; creativity or ingenuity; visual impact; and originality.

Crowd shot of the Art in Denim activity.

Links that featured the story:

• http://aclcblog.exofire.net
• http://www.orobpc.org.ph
• http://www.manilatimes.net