OTSAA

Most of the original members of OTSAA were practicing artists in different fields, but their works are mostly products of commercialism and technological business that needs to compete for a developing world. The surrounding is becoming very cruel, the human spirituality is deteriorating and the culture is declining. The most frightening is our environment that its natural existence is changing rapidly. As a whole, the surrounding describe as a noisy sound that pressed our souls to death and losses its harmony in all elements that make our world called peaceful Earth.      

  Rolando Meriales de Leon thinks that he has to fight for all global changes, the destruction of our environment and culture. He has to do something to call the attention of the public.  But how?  Attract them with Arts. The group realized that people are really hungry with arts, the best food of human soul. Arts can enlighten and entertain at the same time. Then, OTSAA was born.  OTSAA started a small group of competition formed without any financial support, both from the government and private sectors.  Its first competition was held at the dawn of August 1999 at the Liwasang Aurora Circle, Elliptical Road, Quezon City. There are about 35 participants and registered as pioneer members. The park goers catch interest with the concept of executing the arts in public. Then the second activity was when this small organization was invited to sponsor the work installation of Andrew James Ward, a European artist, who presented his drawings of the hands of the comfort women. The struggle of OTSAA began, when Mr. De Leon source of income starts to dwindle. His personal expenditures start affecting the running of OTSAA.  No funds are available except for a few of his concerned friends.  

The founder start encouraging friends from showbiz world as members and officers, there are also some visual artists joined, so the first SUMMER ART EXPERIENCE started with the help of few sponsors.  Because of poor publicity, wrong venue, the project did not go through. 

The cooperation and willingness of the participants, from Baguio City down to Davao City gave OTSAA the courage to push through the competition. Information was send through different organizations and institutions, such as the Christian Children’s Fund Philippines, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Ermita Kaibigan Foundation for street children, and parents who believes with their children’s talent. 

The project lasted from May 23 to 28, 2000. The Folk Arts Theater became the safe venue against bomb treats at that time. During the culmination of art activities, the professional photographers captures different action and composition during the collaborative works less than two hundred among participants in the 288’ long painting, executed in front of the Folk Arts Theater.

                After that first major project, towards the mid-year of 2000, the organization lost its secretariat venue due to differences of the founder and one of the sponsoring official. OTSAA transferred to the out skirt of Valenzuela City where they can refuge temporarily to hold office. The founder was invited by the Office of Tourism Information of the Department of Tourism to design and execute exhibits for their agency. This incident opens the door to OTSAA to get a sponsorship of the next project for December 3, 2000 ART EXPERIENCE 2000, an NCR and Environs’ Elementary and High School Art Competitions. The honorable Secretary cut the ribbon of the longest Painting done at the Folk Arts Theater, which the public and Secretary Araneta was impressed with the work. The Honorable Secretary Gemma Cruz Araneta commended of the Support to OTSAA for the up coming projects. She stressed the relevance of the organization to the Tourism and cultural preservation in the country. This is a good promise to the organization by receiving support from the DOT. The most important with the support of the DOT is by giving OTSAA a Chance to publish the projects in their national publication and recognize them for nation wide project development programs of the country. 

 OTSAA ACCOMPLISHED PROJECTS TO DATE: 

Sambalilo Festival art competition of Parañaque city last February 15, 2001. 

Earth day celebration on tree planting and art session with candidates of the Miss Earth - Philippines 2001 held at CCP complex last April 22, 2001.  

The DOT’s Basilica Visit of the Manaog Cathedral at Pangasinan province in Celebration of Our Lady’s Jubilee year last May 1 to 3, 2001. 

Second Summer Art Experience 2001 held at Manila Film Center Building and ground May 21 to 25, 2001.

          The First Art Experience in Cordillerra Administrative Region held in Baguio, City October 19 and 20, 2001 through CCF and other social welfare coalition for the benefit of the working street children, with artistic excellence.

            The First Art Experience in Cordillerra Administrative Region held in Baguio, City October 19 and 20, 2001

            The Clean and Green Foundation, Inc. together with the Pasig Rehabilitation Commission in support with GMA-7 network Inc. Invited the outstanding young artists of OTSAA to join their annual “Muling Aawit ang Pasig”, a musical special committed by the network in the fifteen year plan to put back the life of Pasig River. The seventh annual project was a tribute to all Filipino artists who get inspired with the beautiful Pasig River. Also OTSAA got a chance to lined up with these classical artists. All the kids was brought to Malacañang Palace to watch the live musical special together with Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, April 21, 2002

             As the commitment of OTSAA to the celebration of Earth Day, all the works of the OTSAA artists was exhibited to the only urban forest of Manila in Arroceros cor Quezon bridge. April 22 was the day of OTSAA website was launched for the interest of all artists and enthusiasts in the country and into the world.

             More invitations and proposals are coming to promote the propagation of arts, culture, social, and environment awareness. NGOs and other prominent figures are getting interest to support the unselfish mission and vision of OTSAA.

Then, May 1 to 7, 2002 the 3^rd Summer Art Experience was hosted by the City of Davao. Held at R. Magsaysay Park, Sta. Ana, Davao City. Thanking the Department of Tourism Region XI, The Philippine Tourism Authority headed by Ms. Amelita Kimpo, The Mayor Honorable Rodrigo Duterte, The Fashion Designers Guild of Davao, The great support of the Winning team of ICCP-CCF Davao project and the rest of all young artists and environmental concerned citizens of Davao.

Because of the effort of OTSAA, Mr. Roy Alvarez and Ms. Chin-Chin Gutierrez, offered their services to talk about the environment present situation and to warn all of us in how trying to save our mother earth and our country. This, the “Vision of Peace” may only achieve if we start taking care of our environment, and our nature will help us to find Peace among human.

December, OTSAA Artists, Jellie Rose Anne Averilla, Lance Kirby Yaneza and Mark Leones together with Ms. Aiza Seguerra was invited to RPN-9's Christmas special.

April 7-13, 2003 was another highlight of OTSAA, Baguio City hosted this unforgettable gathering of artists in all ages.  Baguio City offered Her Natural Environment and Culture and shared its best and its warm people in the 4th Summer Art Experience.

On May 11, 2003, Miss Philippines search featured the works of young OTSAA artists from Metro Manila as the subject focus for the ten semi-finalist.  They will interpret of what the young visionary send a message for our environment.

April 26 to May 2, 2004 is another highlight of OTSAA as Quezon City is the next host for the 5th Summer Art Experience and the First World Art Experience.  Here we expect bigger participants and delegate from national and  international.

The project of 5th Summer Art Experience is postponed for December 06 to 12, 2004 as to fulfill its tradition for the annual events.

SEE YOU IN QUEZON CITY!!!

Longest Painting that unite participants to the annual theme

 OTSAA Highlighted activity annually is the breaking the past-recorded measurement of the longest documented painting on canvas. This activity will be the last of the event and non-competition but more of the collaborative and interaction among the participants and the people of the host city. Here individual artists and enthusiasts will express the main annual theme. OTSAA committed the annual theme as in support to the United Nation’s DECADE FOR PEACE, as our National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is also pursuing this campaign program.