Top Bataan visual artist goes to Marawi

CITY of BALANGA, Bataan – “Paint with advocacy”; “Puso para sa sining” “May pera sa sining” these are just some of the concepts that Teacher Al or Sir Al shares with children in his earnest desire to keep them away from drugs and lure them into art instead.

Mr. Alexander Lacson Quizon, a native of Samal, Bataan and one of the sons of the gracious lady behind the delicious Lacson’s Araro, recently shared his exceptional talent with the children of Marawi City upon the invitation of Vice President Leni Robredo.

A renowned full time visual artist in Bataan, Teacher Al is the subject of a short film “Obra” that landed in the top 10 finalists of the recently concluded 2019 Istorya ng Pag-asa Film Festival written by Lorraine Balbaloza and directed by Geneva Malit, both graduates of Colegio de San Juan de Letran Bataan.

The film dealt with how art, as a form of self expression, became instrumental in winning Teacher Al’s personal battle against illegal drugs.

Last June 29, Teacher Al flew all the way from Bataan to Marawi City to conduct a 3-day art workshop among these children, for free. It would be recalled that hundreds of children were among those who were traumatized and rendered homeless as a result of the tragic Marawi Siege in May 2017. Now still on their way to recovery, the Office of the Vice President decided to include art lessons as part of their rehabilitation program.

A resident of Balanga City, Teacher Al is currently the adviser and one of the prime movers of Guhit Pinas – Bataan Chapter. He has practically transformed his passion in art into an advocacy through his roving art workshop, providing art lessons to school children in different municipalities all over the province.

He has also partnered with the Bataan Tourism Council in conducting free art workshops for persons with disability, day care workers and other organizations.

Teacher Al and his group firmly believe that through this roving art workshop, they can propagate their advocacy and reach as many people from all walks of life, in all ages in the province. But with this development, it seems that his advocacy has spread across the nation.
Way to go, Teacher Al!