The Art Education area of the UP College of Education (UPCEd) held its first Music, Arts, P.E., and Health (MAPEH) seminar at the UP NISMED on July 16, 2016, Saturday, entitled “Creative Teaching Strategies in MAPEH.” About 400 participants attended the event. There was a diverse range of delegates in attendance, composed of MAPEH teachers, administrators, students, and representatives from the UPCEd Art Education Area. There were also attendees coming from other provinces, such as Bulacan, Laguna, Pampanga, and even as far as Zamboanga and Aurora. The major sponsors for the event include Rex Bookstore, Adarna House, and Quezon City Sikap Buhay.

The perspectives of expert MAPEH professionals highlighted the work that can be done to provide an interesting and fun learning atmosphere for students who are taking the subject across the K-12 program. Prof. Jama M. Ramos gave a presentation about the important theories and drawing strategies for art education. Prof. Grace Duka-Pante, and Prof. Maria Cecilia V. Zamora, the speakers for Health Education, gave tips and techniques on how to teach the the various sub-topics of the subject. Prof. James Diaz, gave fun strategies, and enjoined the participants to sing with him during his presentation for Music Education. Prof. Ernida A. Tolentino, the speaker for Physical Education, discussed about how to involve the students’ imagination, and integrate gymnastic movements in PE lessons.

The launch of the annual seminar for MAPEH received positive feedback about the event from the delegates with regards to the speakers and overall program, with majority of delegates at the seminar stating their intent to be part of the future projects, the area is now projected to improve and grow rapidly in the coming weeks and months. With this, we now look forward to welcoming new endeavors, as the UPCEd Art Education Area is now set to further increase its presence in delivering the needs of educators in the different regions of the country. The Area is already underway in preparing for another project, the details of which will be announced as soon as they are available. Meanwhile, the core group encourages everyone to check updates about future seminars and activities in their facebook page: https://web.facebook.com/UPCEArtEdArea/.