LOON FIBERGLASS SEMINAR/WORKSHOP. Loon Mayor Lloyd Peter M. Lopez, MD and Engr. Christopher P. Dohig of the HNU Engineering Department (top photo, second and third from right) hand out a Certificate of Completion to one of the participants in the recently concluded Fiberglass Application and Fabrication seminar/workshop held at the Center for the Developments in Culture, Heritage and the Arts (CHARTS) Building in barangay Moto Sur. Reading the list of graduates is CHARTS executive director Reigh P. Monreal (extreme left) as CHARTS resident painter/artist Carlito Masalta (first from right) looks on. In lower photo Engr. Dohig demonstrates to workshop participants the preliminary steps in fiberglass application. (Photos by A. Saligumba)

           The Local Government Unit of Loon, through the Center for Developments in Culture, Heritage and the Arts (Charts) Creative Industries Development Office, under the auspices of the Office of the Mayor, recently conducted a seminar/workshop on fiber glass application and fabrication on April 27-28, at the Charts building located in barangay Moto Sur.

            Loon Mayor Lloyd Peter M. Lopez, MD confirmed the certificates of completion of the 14 participants coming from different barangays in Loon upon the culmination of the 2-day training.

            Seminar facilitator, Charts Creative Industries Development Officer Rene Eune P. Ponte, revealed the names of the participants and their addresses as follows: Jeford M. Colantro, Sherwin C. Colantro and Charlie C. Colantro, all of barangay Pig-ot; Noel L .Relayosa, Napo; Honorio Montealto, Jr., Biasong; Ericson Masas and Bobby Montes, Moto Norte; Arlene Refugio, Basdio; Rene Saramosing, Cogon Norte; Nerio Cuaresma, Jr. and Richard F. Seprado, Cogon Sur; Cuniberto L. Salinas, Cuasi and Carlo Palomares, Taytay.

            The local government unit called on the expertise of Engr. Christopher P. Dohig of the Holy Name University (HNU) Engineering Department, who gave his services as resource person.  

            Actual hands-on projects made by the fiberglass seminar graduates included miniature kayaks, lampshade, paperweights, jewelry box, souvenir key holders, diploma lamination, bowling pins and fiberglass bottles.  

            According to Ponte fiberglass-based handicrafts, at first glance, seem to be far-fetched and costly to marginalized crafters especially in rural areas. On the contrary, the fabrication of these products is quite simple and affordable for small scale entrepreneurs. Furthermore, access to raw chemicals and additives is easier than those of indigenous materials for native handicrafts. Besides, applications range from the crafting of key holders, tokens, statuettes, trophies, souvenir items to modern artworks and sculptures, up to the fabrication of roofing, outdoor tiles even up to the construction of sturdy fishing boats.

            The training on the crafting and fabrication of fiberglass-based products is made accessible to interested Loonanon artisans in response to the primary purpose of the Creative Industries Development Office to open up more doors and avenues for creative entrepreneurs to venture and anchor their livelihood on their creativity.

            The project aimed to raise the awareness of and transfer of technology to Loonanon artisans, provide additional venues for artistic expressions and livelihood, and maximize idle time of out-of-school youth who may find the technical knowhow challenging as well as income-generating.

             In his message, Mayor Lopez said that the local government unit intends to expand the potential of the human resources in the municipality through the discovery and development of their creative talents. He encouraged the graduates to utilize what they have learned during the two-day training, especially in the production of souvenir items and other fiberglass products.

            The fiberglass training graduates are expected to showcase samples of their work in the 3rd Creative Industry Festival in December and compete in various categories.