by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM
NVC Exec Dean Erlinda Quimpo Fernandez-Wilson is shown explaining Lihok Akean during the Kapehan Sa Aklan on Saturday morning, October 10. With her are Katherine B. Delfin, left and Antonio J. Entrata, Jr., right.
The weekly Kapehan forum on October 10, 2009 discussed the topic "Lihok Akean", a part of the NCCA Lihok Bisaya program." Panelists were Ms. Erlinda Quimpo Fernandez Wilson, Exec. Dean, Northwestern Visayan Colleges (NVC), Ms. Katherine B. Delfin, College Instructor, NVC, and Mr. Antonio J. Entrata, Jr., instructor, Aklan Polytechnic College.
Dr. Ambrosio R. Villorente defined "Lihok" as a response or reaction to a call. Action may be positive or negative depending on individual’s perception. However, one must accentuate the positive aim since aim is noble, clearly defined and realistic.
Dean Wilson stated that Lihok Akean is the Philippines’ commitment to the UN Millennium Development goals which primary goal is to eradicate poverty particularly among third world countries. Aklan is one of the eight (8) pilot provinces tapped in the Visayas region where the National Commission of Culture and Arts (NCCA) program serves as a member.
Rationale behind this movement is in awakening or rekindling positive traditional Filipino values in symbolic portrayal through audio visual arts like music, dance, plays, drama and painting. The lady dean revealed that the launching of the program is set on October 16, Friday, 3:00 PM at the CSQ Gym. The participants and guests in this event dubbed Kalahi Cultural Program include the NVC performing Arts Guild, Arch. Gabriel M. Reyes Memorial Foundation, Cultural Coordinators of secondary and tertiary schools, faculty and students of NVC and members of the tri-media.
Wilson underscored patriotism as rallying point to reach out to Filipinos to move forward and become united as a nation. The launching program includes flag raising ceremony, prayer, and solemn pledge of allegiance.
Entrata, as program coordinator, discussed the highlights of the program that feature messages of Gov. Carlito S. Marquez, Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo, formal launching by Juan P. Dayang, presentation of cultural history of Aklan and documentary footage of typhoon Frank. A copy of the program invitation including pictorials of the event will be sent to UNDP headquarters in Rome.
Delfin said that despite the misery and destruction of typhoon Frank, we survived. There is hope in the human spirit. She rallied for local leaders and members of the tri-media to participate in economic recovery efforts especially targeting families in the clutches of poverty.
Juan P. Dayang said that poverty alleviation funded by UNDP is a five year program that Lihok Akean spearheads through civic leaders like Atty. Allen S. Quimpo, Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino, and Dr. Ambrosio R. Villorente. We need to have united stand and demonstration of our faith in creating positive changes to our way of life. The string of natural calamities and economic difficulties call us to rise above pit falls of self pity and desperation, Dayang stressed.
One intriguing issue and concern is involvement of NCCA that is traditionally known with development and promotion of audio visual arts to be concerned in poverty alleviation. The active performing groups like the Philippine Educational Theater Assn. and Bayanihan Folk Dance Troupe are the cream of Philippine artists. For them to tread on the realms of economics is unfamiliar.
Apparently, the DepEd in its mission to mould the mind of the youth for good citizenship and love of country miserably failed in its endeavor. It is in the grade school or formative years where the rudiments of culture whether history, politics, arts, science, humanities, architecture, and agriculture are enhanced. Primary education promotes oneness despite Philippine cultural diversity, and ethnicity. Consequently, children treasure them through their adulthood.
The impact of performing arts carrying the theme to parents who are mired in poverty may have little or meaningless considering their limited education, resources, and long held beliefs. Most likely people will appreciate them for what they really are, pure as entertainment as in radio – TV soap commercials.
One may sound skeptical but the government bureaucracy has a score of departments, and commissions that carry poverty alleviation thrusts like DA, DAR, DSWD, DepEd, DILG, and DOH.
Why choose NCCA as implementor of UNDP? Can the motley group deliver the goods with their scant resources to the satisfaction of the international body?
Economists say that third world countries suffer poverty and deprivation because of mismanagement of resources. Now it seems we have a different concept. Culture advocates claim that root of poverty lies with mismanagement of our cultural values. Cultural role models are Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, India, and Malaysia all found in Asia.
According to Atty. Allen S. Quimpo: "Our customs and traditions for the past 1000 years show that Filipinos prior to Spain’s colonization were very industrious, polite, respect-ful, trustworthy. They believed in deities and spirit beings. These traits dramatically changed when our colonizers introduced forced labor in building churches and public infra. They confiscated private properties and awarded same to lackeys of the Catholic church. Encomiendas were vast tracts of land planted to rice, corn, sugarcane, coffee, bananas, coconut, and other crops where tenants eked out their living as slaves.
That was the beginning of poverty, deprivation and corruption that are existing until today. Negativism is manifested in traits such as "ningas cogon, mañana" habit, "bahala na", and "pakikisama". In a nutshell, these are the roots of our present day problems based on history averred Quimpo.
A US Peace Corp Volunteer said "Filipinos simply throw their garbage left and right wherever they are and whatever they do for their forbears used leaves and trunks of banana as plates/receptacles of food, while coco and nipa palm leaves were for wraping native delicacies."
While NCCA efforts in the province of Aklan may be opportune time to sound the wake up call, the youth must be prioritized for values formation. Furthermore, DepEd curricula must be evaluated for cultural relevance to truth based on history and archaeological evidence.
Time is running out for the country in its war against the twin evils of poverty and hunger. Finally the audience is properly seated and the stage is set for appearance of performers to tickle ones senses and imagination. Welcome to the world of fun and entertainment this time with a twist to minimize poverty. /MP
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