Theatre for all

The gathering of cultural caregivers through the UNESCO-International Theatre Institute (ITI) is unique as the Philippine global observance of World Theatre Day is held today, March 26, where countries in all continents are joined together in continuum for 24 hours through performances, exhibitions, workshops, dialogues, broadcast theatre demonstrating the importance of culture and development. This is particularly stressed in the message of renowned Theatre pedagogue and Director Augusto Boal who has aptly said “When we look beyond appearances, we see oppressors and oppressed people, in all societies, ethnic groups, gender, social classes and casts; we see the unfair and cruel world. We have to create another world because we know it is possible. But it is up to us to build this other world with our hands and by acting on the stage and in our own life.”

This Summit in the Philippines is organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) with the Philippine Center of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) which has been tasked by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her proclamation No. 1262 to jointly lead an inter-agency action holding an annual World Theatre Week observance that underscores the theatre’s role in education and social development. The President in addressing this significant encounter has said “I join you in spirit as you organize the World Theatre Week, which is geared towards the creative growth of a total artist who is able to harness and share his or her innovative and creative talents to marginalized groups for social transformation, heritage preservation and creative industry development, particularly of the indigenous communities. I am confident that this special event will further promote our rich cultural heritage and at the same time cultivate the artistic talents of the Filipino. I expect that this summit will serve as a venue for vulnerable groups to further stimulate creative and artistic expression among them to confront the global twin crisis of economic downturn and climate change!”

United Nations Resident Coordinator Vanessa Tobin likewise expressed her support for “the Summit intended to provide “appropriate orientation to artist-teachers, media leaders, cultural and human rights advocates in the DREAMS methodology of cultural care-giving for poverty alleviation and therapeutic capacity/ confidence building.… the summit provides an excellent opportunity to raise the level of awareness on the MDGs not only among the participants, but also, more importantly, among the public who will benefit from the output of the Summit.”

UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura presiding over the 31st International Theatre Institute Congress in Manila, extended publicly his gratitude to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for giving strong support to the promotion of cultural and artistic expression. I noted with satisfaction the great importance your government places on the preservation of the country’s rich cultural heritage… “It is widely accepted that theatre has value not just as a means to express and represent the cultural diversity of the human experience but also as an important educational tool. Given its power to transmit the richness of the experience from one generation to another, theatre can, in the process, contribute to building consciousness within societies and promote greater cultural understanding among people. UNESCO appreciates and supports the important role of the International Theatre Institute in promoting theatre as a means of fostering social cohesion. In this context, I wish to express my congratulations to Mrs. Alvarez for the extraordinary work that she has undertaken here in the Philippines with her DREAMS Ensemble to alleviate suffering and reduce poverty among young disabled people. I first had the opportunity to admire her team’s artistic talent four years ago in Manila, and the following year I designated the DREAMS Ensemble collectively as UNESCO Artists for Peace. Last March in Lisbon, during the UNESCO World Conference on Arts Education, I was again privileged to witness the marvelous talents of this unique ensemble. UNESCO will continue to collaborate closely with ITI and other partners on art-based initiatives to combat isolation, poverty, exclusion and ignorance.”

Visit Wow Philippines Clamshell I in historic Intramuros and you will surely be enriched by the panorama of exceptional cultural care-giving examples in their afternoon workshops and evening performances coming from vulnerable groups from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The creative industry display of craftsmanship of artisans from the municipality of Tugaya led by Mayor Alimatar Guroalim in Lanao nominated by NCCA as a World Heritage site as well as the traditions preserved and transmitted by a Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan, Kalinga artist, Alonso Saclag will surely generate pride of habitat, heritage, history and language.

We are pleased that Tourism, Education and Social Welfare concerns with cultural diplomacy have been synergized by the NCCA under the leadership of its Chairman Dr. Vilma Labrador and Executive Director Cecile Guidote-Alvarez in pursuing the President’s directive to harness culture in an agenda for employment enhancement, human rights education and moral reform.

It is also laudable that World Theatre Day in March now serves as an appropriate occasion in giving recognition to culture-friendly local government officials, media organizations as well as outstanding artists who have exemplified golden years of service to the nation through their art manifesting compassion and concern for the advancement of the welfare of the cultural community. The distinguished artists selected in all discipline of the arts are joined by a trio of popular multi-media performers: “Comedy King” Dolphy Quizon, “Comic Impersonator” Willie Nepomuceno, and the “Master Showman” German Moreno. The Spanish government is also acknowledged for its partnership in setting up “Escuelas Talleres” in Intramuros.

We salute President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, for this gesture. As the Cubans say: “honrar honra,” when you recognize and honor the truly deserving, you honor yourself!