Arts & Culture
find a support group in the art community.
During the festival, a paper crane tree was installed at
the CCP Little Theater Lobby-- the unifying symbol of the
festival as it carries messages of hope and self-affirmation
of participants in the festival. Also mounted in the same
venue was an exhibit/installation inspired by the Julia
Buencamino Bench Project by artist Alwin Reamillo with
contributions from visual artists from the Philippine
High School for the Arts Amorsolo-Abelardo Batch. Each
day of the festival began with a mindfulness exercise using
breath, visual imagery and body awareness.
Will You Still Love Me? is a line taken from the poem
penned by the late Julia Buencamino, daughter of actors
Shamaine Centenera Buencamino and Nonie Buencamino.
Julia died from suicide on July 7, 2015.
The poem reads:
"When my mask shatters
and you see how broken I really am,
will you still love me?”
Julia’s poem, stressed Shamaine, who is the festival director
and curator, “speaks of the fear that most people struggling
with mental health suffer---the fear that they won’t be
accepted and loved.”
The Julia Buencamino Project is a mental health advocacy
founded by Shamaine and Nonie to honor their daughter’s
memory, to help children suffering from mental illness and
to educate people about mental health. The Festival at the
CCP, Shamaine said, will continue the dialogue started by
the Julia Buencamino Project “in exploring tools for careers
of people with mental health conditions as well as harness
the arts for mental health through performances and
workshops.”
“Will You Still Love Me? Festival of Arts & Ideas is aimed at
survivors and sufferers of mental health problems as well
as their careers, health and wellness professionals and
educators. The festival is also for everyone, because our
health includes mental health. Mental health affects every-
one,” Sharmaine strongly summed up.
www.cultural-
center.gov,ph
Will you still love
me Extract
Credits : culturalcenter.gov.ph
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