Actiswim & Co. Doodle Art Kids!
By Actiswim & Co.
Welcome to the First Actiswim & Co. Doodle Art Kids Contest 👧🏽👦🏽
On June 12, 2026 — Philippine Independence Day, the island woke up to a day filled with joy, imagination, and creativity. The very first Actiswim & Co. Doodle Art Kids Contest had arrived, bringing with it a wave of excitement that rippled through families, artists, and the community.
The theme was close to every heart: “Siargao as Home.”
✏️ A Workshop of Discovery
Kids arrived with excitement in their eyes, greeted by sketchpads and pencils provided by us. With tools in hand, they were ready to transform blank pages into visuals of home.
Before the contest began, local talented working artists Linya Fernandez, Donna Dosado, and Pierre Mélot led a fun, hands-on workshop. They introduced the kids to the art of doodling — showing how simple lines and patterns could carry meaning, emotion, and story. The mentors demonstrated techniques, encouraged experimentation, and reminded the children that art doesn’t need color or complexity — just imagination and courage.
Storyteller Wynwyn added depth, helping the children see how their doodles could speak about community, environment, and belonging. The room filled with laughter, practice sketches, and the joy of discovery. For many, it was their first time realizing that even the simplest doodle could be powerful.
This workshop set the tone: every kid was not just a participant, but an artist.
🎨 The Contest Begins
As the competition unfolded, mentors continued to guide the kids, walking among the tables and encouraging them to trust their lines and share their stories.
The atmosphere was electric. Kids doodled waves, palm trees, families, houses, and playful scenes of island life. They often used the local phrase “Kagana Baja” — joy and happiness — to describe how they felt. Folks watched proudly, mentors smiled knowingly, and the island’s spirit seemed to flow through every sketch.
One proud lola shared:
"Nalipay gyud ko nga nadala nako akong apo sa art contest, ug mas nalipay pa ko nga makita nga ginasuportahan nato ang mga bata nga ipakita ang ilang talento. Nakita nako nga maisug ug mausisa gyud sila sa ilang mga drawing."
The mentors and judges looked closely, searching not for perfection, but for heart, vision, and truth.
🏆 The Winning Doodle
When the winning doodle was announced, the shy but excited kids lit up with smiles. The crowd erupted in cheers as the young artist stood proudly, their simple sketch transformed into something far greater: a symbol of community, creativity, and belonging.
The winning art will live beyond this event. It is turned into a limited-edition tote bags and will be available to purchase online and across our partner shops in the island. This product is more than fabric and ink — it is a message of hope, pride, and imagination, carried forward by the island’s youngest voices.
🌱 A Promise for the Future
As we celebrate the success of this first contest, we aim to go even further. This is only the beginning of a tradition that we aim to grow each year.
Actiswim & Co. reaffirms its commitment to engaging children in creative projects that spotlight the island’s social and environmental challenges — from protecting marine ecosystems to preserving cultural heritage and fostering diversity and inclusion. We pledge to continue this initiative, fostering awareness and artistic expression through the voices of the island's next generation.
Through mentorship, storytelling, and creativity, these events will showcase youth perspectives while building bridges between generations of artists. Each art will carry forward the island’s stories — one of resilience, imagination, and hope!
The story continues 💫 See you soon! 👋
Disclosure / Consent Statement
*All featured artworks in the Actiswim & Co. Doodle Art Kids are used with appropriate consent. Parental permissions have been secured for each child participant, ensuring that their creativity is celebrated respectfully and responsibly.