The Happiest Place on Earth: Conducting A Contemporary Art Workshop with Public Junior High School Students of a School in Mandaluyong Exploring Elmer Borlongan's Blue Period-Inspired Works

Proponent/s Name/s (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

• Terese Reann C. Co, De La Salle University, ManilaFollow
• Zyrille B. Jose, De La Salle University, ManilaFollow
• Clint Haela Brieli A. Muyot, De La Salle University, ManilaFollow
• Chloe Patrice S. Uy, De La Salle University, ManilaFollow

Document Types

Arts and Design Research Presentation

Research Theme (for Paper Presentation and Poster Presentation submissions only)

21st Century Learning and Innovations (CLI)

School Name

De La Salle University Senior High School, Manila

Track or Strand

Arts and Design Track (ADT)

Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Ciron, Patricia Marinelli

Start Date

23-6-2026 1:30 PM

End Date

23-6-2026 4:30 PM

Zoom Link/ Room Assignment

DLSU Manila Campus (In-person)-LS315 Pablo Nicolas Seminar Room

Abstract/Executive Summary

Art education through workshops often look into works primarily from international influences. However, Filipino contemporary artist Elmer Borlongan and his small collection of paintings inspired by Pablo Picasso’s Blue Period suggests that similar elements could be localized with nationalized interpretation and individuality to also show its relevance to our own nation. Utilizing Erwan Panofsky’s iconological methods, this paper will analyze how the conceptual and expressive associations between Picasso’s Blue Period and corresponding works of Elmer Borlongan’s would be turned into a contemporary art workshop and into useful pedagogical instruments in local art education. The study involves an interview with Borlongan to gain a personal understanding of his artistic process and a demonstration that combines discussion and art-making. An art workshop was then prepared and presented to high school students of a secondary school in Mandaluyong. The workshop curriculum aims to help students interpret the artworks’ visuals, define its symbolic motives, and create and present an adaptation based on their experiences. The collected data measures the participants’ better conceptual mastery and depth of expression derived from qualitative forms of post-workshop reflections. Incorporating iconological analysis into the context of both an international art period and a localized workshop displays how Western art movements can be reinterpreted and recontextualized by drawing on personal experiences and cultural narratives of an artist, as well as to a more critical and culturally oriented approach to teaching and learning art.

Keywords

Elmer Borlongan; Blue Period; art workshop; Mandaluyong high school students; Panofsky’s iconological methods

Art Category Code (for Arts and Design Research Presentation submissions only)

Community Art Initiatives (CAI)

Art Sub-category Code

Painting

Initial Consent for Publication

yes

Statement of Originality

yes