By John Lourence L. Santos
National Arts Month is celebrated every February, recognizing creativity, culture, and the evolving role of the arts in society. With this year’s theme, “Aning Sining: Katotohanan at Giting,” the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) sets the tone for showcasing the artistic prowess of Filipino creators while providing platforms for artists to share their inventive drive. Alongside paintings, performances, and music—forms of art most people are familiar with—art is also taking on a new shape: creations powered by artificial intelligence.
The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has affected various aspects of human activity. From academic research to livelihood opportunities, its development has sparked widespread interest and discussion. Eventually, this technological expansion has reached the delicate sphere of art, where images and concepts can now be produced through a single prompt in just seconds. This advancement has gradually shifted how young people—digital natives—view this fast, tech-driven method of creating art.
As these changes unfold, young artists in Mindanao are beginning to rethink what art means in an age when creation can be automated. Rather than responding with resistance, many approach the shift with reflection—questioning not only how art is made, but what gives it value. Their perspectives offer a closer look at how creativity, culture, and technology intersect.
For some young artists in Mindanao, art is deeply rooted in meaning and human experience. Dan Olsin Fernandez, a Mindanao-based college artist who works in both digital and traditional mediums, shared that the role of art lies in its process and its power to represent lived reality. He is part of Capitol Chronicle, the student publication of Capitol University.
“Art plays a big role in my life and in my community here in Mindanao because it’s one of the easiest ways to express who we are and where we come from,” he said.
He added that the value of art goes beyond the finished piece. For him, its depth is shaped by the intention and experiences that guide the creative process.
“The process makes the meaning behind the art deeper and more intentional,” he said. “The motivation behind why an artwork is created is the art itself.”
This emphasis on process becomes even more pronounced as AI-generated images and content grow increasingly common in digital spaces.
“People have become desensitized to seeing mind-boggling pieces daily since AI and its ability to create generated art instantly have become more accessible than ever,” he noted.
Despite the accessibility and technical brilliance of AI-generated art, Fernandez emphasized that something essential is missing—human emotion, which machines cannot replicate.
“What separates us humans from artificial intelligence is our capacity to feel. Searching deep into ourselves for the feeling we want to evoke in our creation gives art soul, which AI cannot do,” he said.
While visual arts face growing tension with AI’s development, other forms of expression, such as writing and storytelling, raise similar questions in different ways. Benedict Vincent Macadenden, a Mindanao-based student journalist and writer, reflected on the role of art—particularly journalism—as a form of service to the region. He is part of The Trailblazer, the student publication of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines.
“In my community here in Mindanao, art in the context of journalism plays a vital role in spreading awareness and truth,” he said. “As part of a publication, this celebration reminds me that art is service.”
While he sees art as an act of service, Macadenden also acknowledged that technology can contribute positively—within limits—to artistic work, particularly as a tool for preservation.
“When tradition remains at the core, technology becomes a tool for protection and promotion, not a replacement for cultural identity,” he noted.
With the recognized benefits that AI can offer to creative processes, he stressed that the human touch must always prevail, as it is the source of meaning and emotion that give art its value.
“As a writer, AI can help enhance artistic processes, but the stories and emotions behind Mindanaoan art must always come from the people themselves,” he said. “The heart behind art should always remain human and unchanged.”
Reflecting on these innovations, Macadenden added that completely dismissing technology is not the solution. Instead, he emphasized the importance of embracing it while remaining aware of its limitations.
“As a journalist, I would love to encourage artists to adapt and innovate with technology while staying rooted in culture and identity by humanizing art,” he said.
Beyond digital creations and written work, conversations about art in the age of AI also extend to performance and embodied expression—forms of creativity that unfold in real time and shared spaces, where presence plays a crucial role. Clementine Deus, a Mindanao-based drag performer, theater actor, seamstress, and designer studying at Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, views art as something lived and experienced, yet often undervalued.
“In Mindanao, art feels like it exists within a very small community because many people still believe that being an artist is not practical,” she said. “What they often fail to notice is that they consume art every day—through music, films, fashion, and design.”
Despite these challenges, Deus believes understanding is key for art to thrive.
“The final output may evoke emotion, but Mindanaoans should begin to understand that the artist’s process creates a stronger connection and a deeper appreciation for the work, especially for drag performers like me,” she said.
Echoing the sentiments of her fellow Mindanaoan artists, she stressed that technology should enhance—not replace—the human element in creativity.
“If AI takes over, we risk losing the real stories and voices of Mindanaoans. Technology can support our creativity, but it should never steal the spotlight,” she said.
Still, Deus does not dismiss the importance of innovation.
“I believe we should create handmade crafts and performative arts using local resources combined with modern techniques. This would be a beautiful way to preserve our artistic roots while adapting to the present,” she added.
Even with AI reshaping the creative landscape, her message to young artists in Mindanao remains clear and empowering.
“Lift up your fellow artists, stay grounded in your roots, and trust that what you create is powerful, meaningful, and unapologetically yours,” she said.
In the age of AI, these young artists in Mindanao contend that while technology continues to evolve, the heart, meaning, and lived experience behind every creation remain irreplaceable. As National Arts Month is celebrated, their shared message resonates: creativity can flourish through a balance of tradition and innovation—so long as it remains deeply and unmistakably human.
