NANDING JOSEF, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) vice president
and artistic director and Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP)
president, was saddened when only a small number of media reporters
attended the press conference for the centennial birth of national
artist Amado “Ka Amado” V. Hernandez held Aug. 29 at the
Silangan Hall of the CCP.
This, Josef said, only shows what kind of orientation Philippine
media has—lacking in appreciation of Ka Amado, and of Philippine
literature. This will result in generations uncritical to their society,
he said.
But even with the four reporters from Today, Manila Standard,
Manila Tribune and Bulatlat.com, Josef still expressed
hope that Ka Amado’s legacy will reach the big chunk of uninformed
audience.
Josef added that it is a great loss for the Filipinos who did not
read Ka Amado’s works.
A Night of Poetry
Aside from the poetry night, there will also be “roving theaters”
where the shows are free. These “roving theaters” aim to
reach the lower class audience, who were actually the subject of Ka
Amado‘s literary pieces.
CAP secretary general Juli Po explained that popularizing these works
entails hard work. Big publishers do not publish the writings of Ka
Amado because these contradict their own interests, Po said.
Po, however, inspired by Ka Amado, believes that they should succeed
in the struggle to popularize outstanding works in Philippine literature
including that of Ka Amado’s.
Adversities
In the same press conference, playwright and director Bonifacio Ilagan
shared the surveillance and harassment the production cast experienced.
On Aug. 1, Ilagan was on his way home from a rehearsal at the National
Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) when he noticed that
a taxi that has no other passenger than the driver was following him.
Again on Aug. 22 in Pasay, he noticed two men following him. He played
hide-and-seek with them until they lost track of him.
The next day, the chairperson of the cultural group Sinagbayan was
harassed by an unidentified man. He was asked what his group was doing
at the NCCP.
Meanwhile, a member of the Solidarity of the Cavite Workers was charged
with carnapping and detained by the local police. The group helps
in the production of Ka Amado’s plays in the province. The workers
give up two to three days of work weekly to rehearse, even if it means
salary deduction.
Jimmy, one of the Cavite workers who will perform in the province’s
production, stressed that it will be an eye-opener not only for the
workers, but to the residents as well, on the rampant harassments
that occur primarily in the province.
Ilagan fears that these incidents will restrict them not only from
performing the plays but also from enjoying their right to free speech.
Despite Lack of Funds
Despite the limited funds, Jennifer Padilla, executive director of
the Amado V. Hernandez Resource Center (AVHRC), is proud of the high-powered
cast of readers for the commemorative activity on Sept. 13.
They include veteran actors Ronnie Lazaro, Roy Alvarez, Josef, the
folk group Asin, the Andres Bonifacio choir and musician Jerry Dadap,
and the Pinoy rock-band Pan.
The poetry night also features Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and urban
poor leader Carmen “Mameng” Deunida.
Ilagan stressed that cast members who actually belong to the lower
class play the most effective part since the roles they perform are
the same ones they do in real life.
Moreover, Ilagan asserted that the plays are not only historical
but are about actual political, economic and cultural issues that
remain relevant today.
In finding resources, Ilagan said, he, with other organizers, pleaded
for help from the first lady of Manila. Although Mrs. Atienza (the
mayor’s wife) expressed her interest in the beginning, they did
not get any support from her.
Ilagan lamented that the Cultural Affairs Office of Manila preferred
to prioritize the beauty pageant in Chinatown.
Padilla, however, thanked CCP, National Commission on Culture and
the Arts (NCCA), CAP, Manila Cultural and Tourism Office, and Sinagbayan
for their support.
Recognition
Congressman Ocampo, who also attended the media affair, also discussed
the Bayan Muna-sponsored House Resolution that expresses recognition
for Ka Amado’s outstanding legacy and lifework as a national
artist and as an “internationally-reknowned giant of the Philippine
Letters.” The resolution also seeks to call the attention of
government agencies and state universities and schools to “mark
his centenary by propagating his outstanding literary works through
multifarious prominent cultural activities and productions across
the country.”
The Party-list representative said the resolution will be followed
through by a proposed bill making Sept. 13 as Amado V. Hernandez Day.
(Bulatlat.com)
