Binhi
Creatives is a cultural project that provides alternative education to the underprivileged
children and youth through the various media and disciplines of Art. The group
started in 2004, in Brgy.Banago, Bacolod City. It provide avenues to encourage
creativity, productivity, and critical responsiveness by providing workshops,
lectures, interactions and collaborations through the visual arts, theatre,
music and creative writing. It also provides avenue for leadership and social
skill development.
The vision
of the group is to develop creative and productive human beings rooted in
humane values; socially responsible, and critically responsive to the changing
times.
In April 2015, members of the group joined the American Arts
Incubator workshop conducted by Felipe Castelblanco at the Negros Museum. The
group joined the People’s Island launching along with other community
organizations at the BREDCO seaport area in Bacolod City, Philippines, on April
26, 2015. As the sun faded on the western horizon, the group performed its
original song “Hangin” with the singers and musicians performing on the raft facing
the audience on the shore.
The song
“Hangin” was an output of the music writing program which started in 2010. The
group has written around 30 original songs. Most of these songs are about their
dreams, hopes and their environment. Some of these compositions have been
performed by the group in various venues in the city. Currently, Binhi
Creatives is in the process of producing its first album with most of these
compositions on hand.
The music
of “Hangin” was written by Ronie Carmona and Gil John Cadivida. It was arranged collaboratively by the group,
and it is one of their most performed song ever. The lyrics of the song
was written by Dina Hautea when she was 13 years old. It was a young girl’s reflection on the
mysterious nature of Hangin (air/wind). A recognition of Mother Nature’s role
as a giver, provider, and the source of life. The song was also an expression
of surrender to the immense power of nature. Just like most members of the
group, she could write, draw and paint. She was top of her class ever since she
attended school and was a scholarship program beneficiary. She dreamed to
become teacher but in a sudden twist of fate she passed away due to Cancer on January
7, 2013.
As a beneficiary of the American Arts Incubator’s Small
Grant, Binhi Creatives realized the potential of the song. The composition
itself was not only a fitting tribute to Dina, it also had a message to convey
to its audience. The message about the present reality of young people who strive to make themselves better
and rise above the challenges of poverty. Featuring the community, life source, culture,
and the environment which may serve as a mirror of other similar communities.
The group thought
of utilizing the encompassing potentials of film to be the ultimate medium for
this tribute. Binhi Creatives receive a small grant from the American Arts
Incubator as part of the preparation of this initiative.
Guerilla Grassroots
Filmmaking
Through the organizing expertise of the Negros Museum, the group
seeked the help of Elvert Banares, a respected filmmaker and professor.
Professor Elvert conducted a special collaborative “Guerilla Grassroots
Filmmaking” workshop for the group on May 12-14, 2015, at the Negros Museum.
The workshop was attended by Binhi Creative members along with members from
Masskara Theatre Ensemble, Kanlaon Theatre Guild, and the Kalingaw theatre Group.
The event was very productive, by empowering the participants, fueling
inspiration and motivation. The results were three music videos in just three
intense days.
Workshop Reflections:
“For once in my life I
dreamt to be filmmaker, to work behind the camera. I always appreciate
films/movies I watched. So the filmmaking workshop was another fun and learning
experience. It was an eye opener for me to understand more of the filmmaking
thing. It was amazing of to learn how the film making process is. In a small
span of time, we learned the technical aspect and experience how it is done. A
way of framing a story in a visually symbolic way. I like the whole process,
the way we comprehend every symbol to be present in much essence to hook every
piece of the story in our surroundings to produce a story.
Thanks to our mentor
who did a good job to impart his knowledge in a way that made it easy to understand.
” Hanna
Three Days Guerrilla Filmmaking workshop“During the first day of the workshop I was late and felt sad that I was late. I took my notebook and wrote the important words by Sir Elvert. I have enjoyed the whole workshop and the different activities like the opportunity to discus and exchange ideas with our classmates, take photos which were the output of the day. During the second day of the workshop, there are no more shyness among us workshop participants and we enjoyed each other’s company. We became more comfortable enough to work with our classmates. It was one of the most unforgettable moment of my life being a student of sir Elvert. I appreciated all of his efforts and the places around me more because of his words that really inspired me in taking video clips and photos.
It was also an opportunity for us Binhi Creatives members to bond closer as we develop conceptual and technical ideas for the video of the song Hangin. It was also another opportunity to know and bond with members of other cultural groups in the city.
During the 2nd
day, sir Elvert divided us into groups, assigned a song, and gave us 3 hours to
shoot footages for the music video for the song. There were five (5) groups
with 3- 4 members. My group members were very nice and very open to
suggestions. We ate together and discussed ideas for our video.
From that day on, I
learned to appreciate every place and moment where I am in as a good material
for film- although I have no mean to record these moments on video.
I have learned a lot from
the three-day workshop, from day one until the end. I learned to appreciate
every place around and seek to explore it. I realized that I don’t have to
travel very far for to get the best video footage. Good footages need not to be
expensive, we just need to do our best from what we have learned during the workshop.
From the 3 days’
workshop, I have written 15 pages of notes which are very valuable for me. It
was one great opportunity to be one of the participants of the Guerrilla Film
Making Workshop.” LJ Tupas
Within 3days, Sir Elvert
did taught us the basic and advance approaches of film making, both in conceptual
and technical aspects. I learned that it does not necessarily mean to spend too
much to start creating a film. A good film need not to be expensive. But one
needs to have a good foundation of the visual and theatre arts, as well a team
work spirit among the people in the group.” Pnuema
After the workshop, the group was able to create an Audio
Visual Presentation highlighting its activities and plans. The AVP was shown to
a group of Dutch students who visited the Binhi Creatives Artspace for a whole
day cultural exchange program last 12th of July. Binhi Creatives is currently
preparing for a public presentation of the AVP, as well as planning for the
documentary film which the group has originally planned. 