Local artist and faculty of the School of Liberal Arts, Sandra Jamiro was awarded with the ADZU’s Research Chair Incentive package on October 25, 2016 for successfully completing an institutionally funded research. A cash incentive amounting to Php 50,000.00 was given to Jamiro in addition to the administrative and logistical support extended by the Ateneo Research Center.
The study entitled Culture in the Visual Arts through the Eyes of Local Artists in Zamboanga was started by Jamiro sometime in November 2015. With the relevant feedbacks and recommendations of her Research Review Committee members: Hezekiah Concepcion, Arlene Ledesma and Marco Alfino Miranda she was able to present and submit the findings of her research, early this school year 2016-2017.
The study was conducted in order to integrate the art pieces of the local pioneer visual artists as contribution to the local culture of Zamboanga in the K-12 curriculum, create a data base for galleries and museum for references, appreciate, the role and contribution of these art pieces by examining the images depicted in them and the culture that they convey.
The research findings revealed that most pioneer Zamboagueño artists depicted culture as subject or theme in their works of art. Subjects include the Bajaus and Tausug way of life, grand Muslim weddings, old Zamboanga’s landmarks as legacy of the Spaniards, the history of Zamboanga, old rustic barrio scenes, flowers, religious icons, okkir art and social issues relevant to the time the artist’s created the work.
ARC’s Research Chair Incentive Package grants AdZU faculty members several forms of support including continuation of full salary, deloading from teaching time starting at 6 units to as much as 21 units, advantageous work schedule, logistical support (i.e purchase of materials, research-related travel expenses, assistance from a preferred mentor, etc), and honoraria upon the completion of the work that ranges from Php 50,000 to as high as Php 100,000 depending upon the type of research being conducted. ARC’s incentive package for researchers is believed to be one of the most generous schemes among higher education institutions in the entire country.
