Leni Adopts Culture Kartilya

Posted on February 18, 2022

National Artists from left: Ryan Cayabyab, Alice Reyes, VP Leni Robredo, Virgilio Almario and Ramon P Santos. Photo from https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineSTAR/

Written by

Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

Perhaps as evidence of their ingenuity, artists, writers, performers, historians, educators came together and presented their own platform for government. Instead of just waiting for candidates to present their own. They did so, specifically with the concerns of the cultural community. They sent this in the form of a decalogue to the top presidential candidates. Little did they know only one of them would respond: VP Leni Robredo.

Photo from VPLeniRobredoPH fb: https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

National Artist and former NCCA (National Commission for Culture and the Arts) Chairman Virgilio Almario, read and presented the official decalogue – Kartilya at a special ceremony to Robredo. It was created by a new multisectoral organization from the cultural community called KKK 2022 (Katipunan sa Kultura at Kasaysayan).

National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario; Photo from VPLeniRobredoPH fb: https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

The event entitled “Pusuan ang Sining at Kultura; State of the HeART” was held at the Miriam College Covered Courts, last Valentine’s, February 14, 2022.

This is also where 5 National Artists: Benedicto Cabrera, ‘BenCab’ (Visual Arts), Alice G. Reyes (Dance), Ramon P. Santos and Ryan Cayabyab (Music), and Virgilio Almario, also known as Rio Alma (Literature) publicized their decision to endorse Robredo. To read the comments and endorsement of the National Artists click on this link.

Kakampink Ati; Photo from VPLeniRobredoPH fb: https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

Cultural Root Cause

The organization and the Kartilya were borne out of a frustration with the marginalization of the cultural community by past administrations stretching from the post WWII era, to today.

They lament the fact that most of the problems our country is experiencing can be traced to a cultural root cause. For example the prevalence of fake news, a lack of appreciation and awareness of history, national identity and the deterioration of basic Filipino values.

Andres Bonifacio Decalogue for Kataastasan, Kagalanggalangan Katipunan.

Almario said, “Kapag sinuring mabuti ang talamak na korapsyon, at ibang malalaking problema, lahat ng mga problema sa ating paligid ay kultural. Kulang tayo sa pag-ibig sa bayan. Bulok ang ating mga social values. Di natin alam ang ating kasaysayan. At kaya kulang na kulang tayo sa dangal ng isang mamamayang Pilipino.”

Tweetie De Leon Gonzalez; Photo from VPLeniRobredoPH fb: https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

The Kartilya was inspired by the original decalogue by our founding fathers, like Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto – Kartilya ng Katipunan. “Bumuo po kami ng sampung adhika na mula sa Kartilya ng himagsikang 1896… Nagsisimula ang tunay na pagbabago sa isip at damdamin. Para tayong mapagbago at atin lamang ang dapat asahan para tayo ay makatindig bilang Pilipinas.

[The full decalogue is included below]

Photo from https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineSTAR/

100% Commitment

After the Kartilya presentation, VP Leni Robredo, with no equivocation or hesitation immediately agreed to adopt it in her own program of government. She requested formal dialogue between her team and KKK 2022 to flesh out the details of its implementation.

Photo from Teddy Baguilat fb
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Speaking extemporaneously Robredo said, “Gusto ko pong ipahayag ngayong hapon na 100% nag-cocommit po kami. At hindi po na tatapos sa hapon na to yung pagpapangako. Na pag binigyan kami ng pagkakataon magiging malaking bahagi siya ng agenda ng aming administrasyon. Pero yung aming pong pinapangako ay kahit hindi pa nag eeleksyon ay kung pwedeng ma-upo na kami, team naming ma-upo na with all of you. Para yung detalye kung papano i-ooperationalize yon at i-weweave sa mga program ng ating pamahalaan.”

Artist Anthony Jandusay working on Pantheon of Heroes with Leni Robredo mural in Marikina. Photo from Pinoy Adventure Rider fb.

Freedom of Expression

According to her, the KKK 2022 decalogue shows us the role of history and culture in the everyday lives of Filipinos, “Kaya napaka bigat nung kartilya na binasa kanina. Kasi doon natin marerealize na yung kultura, yung sininig, yung kasaysayan malaking malaking bahagi ng pang araw araw na buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Na kinalimutan na natin. At eto yung 2022 elections binibigyan tayo ng pagkakataon na balikan kung sino tayo bilang Pilipino.

Photo from VPLeniRobredoPH fb: https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

4 days after Leni’s speech, February 18, the COMELEC initiated OPERATION BAKLAS, where they took down billboards, tarpaulin, posters and painted over murals of candidates. But the most affected among them were Robredo and Pangilinan. Since volunteers around the country have painted murals on their own cost and produced posters and tarp installed on private property.

Sheila Valderrama, Jeesica Zafra and Romnick Sarmenta; Photo from VPLeniRobredoPH fb: https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

Apart from the Philippine Constitution guaranteeing right to property and freedom of expression; 2 lines of the decalogue specifically states: No.2 – Nurture and promote a culture of freedom, creativity and progressive ideals. No. 6 – Defend the equal protection of human rights. Most especially the right to freedom of expression, assembly and right to criticize and analyze corruption in government leadership. And in government institutions, political parties and industry.

Robredo-Pangilinan supporters paint more murals in Isabela

IKALAWA

Pangalagaan at palaganapin ang isang kulturang mapagpalaya, malikhain, at mapagbago.

IKAANIM

Ipagtanggol ang pang lahat at pantay pantay na pag-iiral ng mga karapatang pang tao. Lalo na ang karapatan sa malayang pagpapahayag at pagtitipon at ang ganap na karapatang tumuligsa at sumiyasat sa mga gawaing tiwali ng mga pinuno ng gubyerno. At mga institusyong pang pulitika at pang negosyo.

[The full decalogue is included below]

Pusuan ang Sining at Kultura – State of the heART by Artists for Leni

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xU3PXTCVJY

Power of Artists

Robredo thanked the many artists who have sacrificed their time and effort in enlightening their countrymen, through their work. “Di ko alam kung first time mangyayari ito for a candidate. Pero kaya siya powerful kasi power na inyong pagka artists and creatives ibinubuhos niyo para maipakita yung pagkaka isa. Kahit iba iba ang pinang galingan handa tayong i-set aside ang ating paniniwala para sa pagmamahal sa bayan.”

National Artists from left: Ryan Cayabyab, Alice Reyes, VP Leni Robredo, Virgilio Almario and Ramon P Santos. Photo from VPLeniRobredoPH fb: https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

Referring to the National Artists who have contributed greatly, she expressed her gratitude, “Malaki po yung pagsalamat ko na ibinigay kayo sa bansa natin. Yung na i-ambag niyo kung tutuusin lubos lubos na. Pero eto kayo handa uli na mag-ambag pa. Para sa kinabukasan ng mga anak natin… Yung mga taong kasama natin ngayon hapon eto yung mga taong makakatulong para ipa-alala sa atin. Ipa-alala sating yung lahat na values, na malapit sa ating puso. Lahat ng pinapaniwalaan natin ay eto yung kelangan nating gawin para balikan natin yon. ”

Photo from VPLeniRobredoPH fb: https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

Mr. C sings Paraiso

For his part, National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab described candidate VP Leni, “Si Leni ang president ko dahil sinasabuhay niya na kay ganda talaga ng ating musika. Musika ng Pilipino. Kahit saang isla, kahit anung tayo mo sa buhay sinasama niya tayo sa sining at kultura sa overall view kung ano ang genuine progress. Kay VP Leni ang Filipino artist ay tanging yaman natin.”

National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab sings a portion of his song PARAISO to VP Leni; Photo from VPLeniRobredoPH fb: https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

Mr. C even modified his hit song PARAISO, “So if I could see Leni as our president, what a joy! Then finally our tired and hungry land could expect truth, hope and respect, (sings) from the rest of the world. And most of all from each other as Filipinos. Mabuhay po kayo VP Leni! Ang ating bagong Presidente!”

Paraiso by Jill Robredo

National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab; Photo from VPLeniRobredoPH fb: https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

KKK 2022 (Katipunan sa Kultura at Kasaysayan) Kartilya

(Decalogue)

UNA

Itaguyod ang isang Pambansa at makabansag kultura at kasaysayan batay sa diwa ng himagsikang 1896.

♦

IKALAWA

Pangalagaan at palaganapin ang isang kulturang mapagpalaya, malikhain, at mapagbago.

♦

IKATLO

Tangkilikin ang saliksik at pagsisiyasat na magdudulot ng wastong pagtingin sa kasaysayan at maglalantad sa mga kahalagahang koloniyal, baluktot na katwiran, at mapanglinlang na salaysay.

♦

IKAAPAT

Isulong ang wikang pambansa bilang pambansang sagisag pang kultura at wikang opisyal ng pamahalaan at edukasyon. Habang pinangangalagaan ang lahat ng wikang katututubo, at habang nililinlang ang kasanayan sa inggles at ibang wikang internasyonal.

♦

IKALIMA

Ipagbunyi ang patakarang pang pulitika at pang ka buhayan na nakasanib sa tumpak na pagpapahalaga sa kultura at kasaysayan.

Photo from Atty Chel Diokno fb:
https://www.facebook.com/cheldiokno/

IKAANIM

Ipagtanggol ang pang lahat at pantay pantay na pag-iiral ng mga karapatang pang tao. Lalo na ang karapatan sa malayang pagpapahayag at pagtitipon at ang ganap na karapatang tumuligsa at sumiyasat sa mga gawaing tiwali ng mga pinuno ng gubyerno. At mga institusyong pang pulitika at pang negosyo.

♦

IKAPITO

Bakahin ang kulturang karahasan, ang pulitika ng panlilinlang at pagsasamantala at mga batas at alituntuning nagpapa iral ng ganitong kultura at pulitika.

♦

IKAWALO

Pa unlarin ang industriyang pang kultura o creative industry at ang produktong Pilipino.

♦

IKASIYAM

Palaganapin ang isang edukasyong demokratiko at mga programa para sa pagtaas ng

literacy sa buong kapuluan.

♦

IKASAMPU

Paglingkuran ang kapakanang pang kalusugan at pang kabuhayan ng lahat ng mga manggagawang pang kultura.

National Artist for Dance Alice G Reyes and VP Leni Robredo; Photo from VPLeniRobredoPH fb: https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

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(20)

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Andres Bonifacio Decalogue for Kataastasan, Kagalanggalangan Katipunan.

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Andres Bonifacio Decalogue for Kataastasan, Kagalanggalangan Katipunan.

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Text and Photos by Jude Bautista

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