SU Christmas tree features marine life paintings
To raise awareness about marine conservation and protection, Silliman University (SU) adorned its 2021 Christmas tree with paintings of sea creatures that showcase the beauty of marine life.
The Christmas tree doubles as an art gallery with 120 artwork pieces done by Dumaguete-based SU alumni and friends who volunteered.
The collaboration between SU and the volunteer artists affirms the University’s stance that environmental conservation and protection is a collaborative effort.
“For us here at Silliman, this is part of our advocacy. As we light this Christmas tree we hope to bring the focus to the public on how important it is for us to be steadfast, committed, and dedicated to this passion for environmental preservation. Let us thank our lives and how interdependent we all are because decimating one will decimate us all, and continuing the life of one will mean the continuance of each of our own lives,” said Dr. Betty Cernol McCann, SU president.
Sharon Rose Dadang Rafols, a Dumaguete-based artist and SU alumna, said the paintings are “not only about the many beautiful creatures of the ocean we need to protect” but also about love, friendship, and sharing.
“We do need each other to care for each other, in crisis or without,” said Rafols.
Rafols led the team of artists and volunteers who worked on the paintings, which was composed of people from different backgrounds: artists, designers, architects, engineers, art enthusiasts, and even kids.
“We are celebrating life. Life at sea means life on land…there is so much to thank for, for all those who are able to portray what we had been enjoying all these years as to life at sea. It is our hope and our joy that we will be able to maintain life at sea,” said McCann.
Rafols said the paintings were done at the 58 EJ Blanco Art Studios and with support from the Palomar Fine Arts Services Collective over the course of two weeks.
The ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree located at the East Quadrangle of the SU campus was done November 19, 2021.
SU maintains its tradition of having an eco-friendly Christmas tree made of biodegradable, reused, and reusable materials.
It is also the fourth SU Christmas tree with a theme aligned to SU’s environmental advocacy. SU’s first eco-friendly tree in 2018 and the tree in 2019 was decorated with upcycled, empty wine bottles; while the tree in 2020 was decorated with fishing-inspired, eco-friendly decorations as a reminder of the importance of sustainable fishing practices.
Paintings by the following alumni and friends of SU can be seen on the 2021 Christmas tree:
- Chris Alexis B. Duran
- Clint Drew Strong
- Eloiza Ruth De Ausen
- Jan Allen G. Alix
- Julia Aveline G. Alix
- Thea Rosemay Panares
- Clarissa Mae Bustamante
- Japhet Toledo
- Sofie Trinidad
- Sofia Rivera
- Floramae J. Neri
- Angel Centi
- Kerwin Elman
- Mayumi Abesamis
- Janice Garol and staff
- Gary Rosales and family
- Rosa and Ana Antonio
- Aliyah Zoobi
- Totem Yap
- Dyke Cedeño
- Paolo Picones
- Hemrod Duran
- Hersely Casero
- Pablo and Tala Crisostomo
- Sandra Palomar
- Meji Palomar
- Cessa Gaston
- Iris Tirambulo
- Jasmine Barcelona
- Carmen del Prado
- Wing del Prado
- Elvis Alaton
- Laura Iskra
- Meiji Quan
