The Holy Angel University (HAU) and the Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL) are in full blast for the preparations of NaSi Arts Exhibit to be held at the San Francisco de Javier Building inside HAU on November 24 to 30, 2008.
About 50 artists from various groups like the Pampanga Arts Guild (PAG), Kalingann Telabastagan, Krusada Fernandino, Alaya Chamber of Arts, Pampanga Press Club and Press Photographers of the Philippines will join the exhibit. The exhibit aims to express the Kapampangans’ sentiment and ideas regarding the ongoing global economic crisis through some 100 artworks that will be displayed for public viewing.
The title itself, NaSi means National Situation and also the Kapampangan word for cooked rice, is already suggestive of the content of the artworks and what the Kapampangans would like to express in relation to our country’s current socio-political and economic conditions.
The exhibit is more than timely because of the various events that made relevant changes in our country today. I was watching the new last might and I was relieved to see Joc Joc Bolante back with a shameful record for being deported from United States. The series of investigations at the Senate including the most controversial such as NBN ZTE deal, fertilizer scam, the Villar chaos and more are only indicative of our maturity as people. We have come a long way.
Today, more than ever, the Kapampangans are more aware and involved in all the events and political exercises in the province. Take for example the recall move against Gov. Eddie Panlilio. Almost 250,000 Kapampangans signed the recall petition which is now pending before the Comelec for resolution.
Gone were the days when no one wanted to say something against the government or the leaders of this province. Gone were the days when people opt to stay inside their houses and pay no interest to political activities.
We have smarter constituents. The time has come that every citizen has the courage to speak before the public, either that be in favor of his government or not.
Going back to the arts exhibit, the time has also come that most Kapampangans share a higher awareness and appreciation of our own culture and arts. Just like their improved attitude towards our government and how it is being run, the Kapampangans are now more aggressive in asserting our rights and welfare as a nation.
Again, I say nation because we have a full blown language and a rich culture that is totally distinct and different from the Tagalog, Bicolano or Cebuano nations. Meanwhile, the art exhibit being spearheaded by the ADCL in coordination with HAU, Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, CILA and Greater Clark Visitors Bureau has generated support from various government offices, agencies and non-government organizations. Several local government units also supported the project including the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Congressman Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin, Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, Mayor Ed Flores and Mayor Francis Nepomuceno.
As for the companies, SMART Communications was the first one to heed ADCL’s call for support. Thanks to their public relations manager Jose “Wo” F.L. Rosete. With SMART’s continuing contribution for the welfare of various communities around the country, there is no doubt that they will gain more customers and clientele.
Other companies and groups which pledged to provide assistance for the NaSi Arts exhibit are Clark International Airport Corp., Clark Development Corp., Bases Conversion Development, Authority, Mother Earth, Lakeshore, Apung Monica de Minalin, among others.
With such organizations’ continuing support to projects concerning promotions and preservation of our culture and arts, we will be assured that we will see a better future for our advocacies.
