On-the-Spot Artists' Association (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.