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The Revitalization of Philippine Art and Culture in the Regions

Written by Nestor Horfilla

Sunday, 12 August 2007

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The Revitalization of Philippine Art and Culture in the Regions: Advancing the Recognition of the Participatory Filipino

The State shall foster the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino national culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual expressions… The State shall conserve, promote and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage resources, as well as artistic creations. —Philippine Constitution (Article XIV, sections 14 and 15)

The Philippine Constitution, cognizant of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, has enshrined the recognition our "Rights to Culture" as a basic human right. It is a fundamental right of the communities to freely participate in its cultural life—whether in process of the evolution, conservation, preservation, and/or in the enhancement of cultural heritage and artistic traditions.

Yet this right is of little value unless the creative and cultural forces that shape people's lives are respected and understood by the agents of change—the policy makers, artists-educators and cultural workers, government agencies, the private sector and the non-government organizations.

My colleagues and myself, who are engaged in the arena of culture and artistic work and who advocate for the recognition of our cultural rights, have long recognized that Culture has greater worth than its economic value.

Our people's culture is a living force, a catalyst for individual and human growth and social development. Likewise, culture (heritage and traditions), is an ecosystem as vital to sustaining human life and the physical environment, and equally as delicate as many indigenous cultures under siege from external influences, which threaten them.

The Philippine Agenda 21, which defines the framework for sustainable development of the country, aptly states that:

A consensus is emerging, in the Philippines and abroad that people and the integrity of nature and culture, are at the center of development initiatives. Therefore, a central goal of development is the improvement of human well being, and the quality of life. The development of people and their culture - both as the ultimate end and as a means for attaining that goal - has been the guiding principle for development policies and strategies. —Philippine Agenda 21

Indeed, a new awakening of the power of creativity and culture as a force of change is taking place. There are growing efforts in the communities and in government, aimed at locating how creative cultural actions can be used to promote empowerment and participation in governance.

The Medium Term Development Plan for the year 1999-2004 of the Administration has articulated its policy and strategy in looking closely at the aspects of culture in the development process. It has signified the value of integrating arts, culture, media and heritage in the planned strategic interventions in achieving its goals, to wit:

Using Culture, Arts and Media in promoting national unity while preserving cultural diversity. Promoting and expanding the use of various forms of media, including electronic and indigenous media, as creative channels for the inculcation of values and propagation of responsive citizenship, leadership, moral recovery, gender sensitivity, increased productivity and a culture of peace and unity."—Policy and Strategy: MTPD Plan 1999-2004

Hence, our advocacy for the conservation of our natural and cultural heritage has been recognized both by the advocates and the policy-makers as an urgent concern with policy and legal basis. Moreover, the active interface of Culture and Development is more urgent in a multi-ethnic and culturally pluralistic society such as Mindanao.

The policy-strategy and mechanisms for the conservation of our natural resources has been very well spelled out in the National Integrated Protected Area System Act, aptly called as the NIPAS Act of 1992.

The Philippines is recognized as one of the few remaining sites in the world, that boasts of its mega bio-diversity. However, it also remains as one of the hotspots in the world where bio-diversity resources are being destroyed and depleted in a much faster pace.

On the other hand, the issuance of Public Act No. 4368 created the National Historical Commission, which was tasked to identify, designate and mark historic places in the country. Subsequently, PD 374, the country's Cultural Property Act issued in 1974, has designated the National Museum to supervise, preserve, conserve and restore outstanding structures, buildings, monuments, towns and cities declared as national cultural treasures and properties.

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