It was designed by violinist Coke Bolipata in 1993 for children in the fishing village after the devastation of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991 to address the need for an educational and training program to develop community-based support for an arts center.

The program trains local talents primarily in stringed orchestral instruments and the visual arts in conjunction with a residency program that offers young Filipino artists opportunities to perform and exhibit.

The program has since expanded its reach to include gifted students from other parts of the country including Manila, Pampanga, Baguio, Pangasinan, Samar, and Davao.