The Kapampangans are blessed people. Gifted with artistry, leadership skills and undying spirit, our culture is also very rich. As I have said in my past columns, the strengthened consciousness on the preservation and promotion of Kapampangan culture and arts today continue to spread like grassfire. Even the chat rooms, yahoo groups and forums in the internet are saturated with Kapampangan discourses, writings, historical works and research and anything that has something to do with us including short films, music videos and advertisements.
And the year 2008 is indeed a double blessing for all Kapampangans for we have witnessed each cultural event after the other in just a span of few months. This November 24 to 30, the Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL), Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Pamcham) and the Holy Angel University (HAU) will be hosting yet another cultural event, the NaSi Visual Arts Exhibit at the San Francisco de Javier Building, Holy Angel University.
At least 100 artworks created by active Kapampangan visual artists belonging to groups like Pampanga Arts Guild, Alaya Chamber of Arts, Kalinangan Telabastagan, Kapangulis, Krusada Fernandino, Pampanga Press Club, and Press Photographers of the Philippines will be exhibited at the San Francisco de Javier building.
This is the biggest collaborative work of Kapampangan visual artists so far with the help of the various non-government organizations and private companies.
The good thing about this collective consciousness is the fact that even profit-oriented agencies and companies are now taking part in developing and promoting our culture. They provide assistance as part of their corporate social responsibility such as in the case of the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) through the leadership of President Benny Ricafort. Those who sponsored the NaSi Arts Exhibit also include Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC), Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), SMART Communications, Bale Kapampangan, CILA, East West Bank, Faith Realty Corp., Romac Group of Companies, Mother Earth and more.
There a lot of groups in the region today and several individuals like George Sorio and Cyber City, the Tayag family, Romero family, the Nepomucenos, Rep. Tarzan Lazatin, Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, Mayor Ed Flores, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members led by Vice Gov. Joseller Guiao, Mayor BLueboy Nepomuceno and others who staunchly advocate for culture and arts. Kudos to all of them.
This is the time that we have been waiting for. The time when the Kapampangans share the same sentiments and move in one direction towards the preservation and development of our culture. This is very progressive for only when we embrace our true identity and heritage that we find deeper meaning of our existence as nation.
The more people sharing talent, resources and ideas for the common good of the Kapampangan community, the better chance that our nation will flourish and gain economic and political stability and moral ascendancy.
