“Many Filipinos are unexplainably talented but need more opportunities to show their skills.”
Social and cultural development are essential aspects of our lives. I remember the moment we could participate in various community development activities when I was still volunteering for Gawad Kalinga.
I was able to meet people and children from different cultural backgrounds. I remember those days when I joined community engagement activities, and I was able to interact with community heads and talented individuals who, despite poverty and lack of other necessary resources, still brought bright smiles to their faces. At the same time, I realized that we must look into every community’s different cultural and social aspects. I am aware that there are a lot of aspects of the Filipino community that are distinct and competitive as compared to other countries.
As I watched the play, Rama Hari, I became amazed at the national artistry reflected in the performances. There were also moments when I was mesmerized by the different tales of love, duty and loyalty, and they resonate with the Filipino people, irrespective of gender and age. I can still remember the “wow” moments, especially as I can testify to Filipino artists’ amazing talents. Rama, Hari informs Filipinos about India’s illustrious history and legendary tales. It encourages cross-cultural exchange and improves mutual understanding between the two countries. The Filipino people cherish the values mentioned above.
Relating to what I have learned in class, I can say that cultural and social development are inextricably interwoven. While economic development is the vehicle through which societies evolve, social and cultural components are required for sustainable and long-term growth.
Concerning the learnings I have in church, I can say that God also want us to discover the innate drive to help the community. As reflected in the Rami Hari play, many Filipinos are unexplainably talented but need more opportunities to show their skills because of poverty and lack of financial capacity to pursue arts. Well, it can also be related to the fact that the pursuit of art, cinema and media production courses has been associated with only those who can afford art.
“What we’ll bring to the plate this time around, where musical theater actors are primarily actors who sing for this staging, is to being able to bring life to the characters first and foremost before we even think about the singing.”
In the Rama, Hari play, the testimony of one of the play’s organizers shows how the actors have put significant effort into bringing the characters to life. As I watched the play, I could see how magnificent the actors’ performance was, and I could attest to how they did well in the performance. I then realized how amazing it is that people can show their God-given talents and use them to inspire others.
In this sense, I commit myself to helping the community remember their culture. I also vow, of course, with the Lord’s providence, to host a community project related to the previous social work I volunteered for.
I want the children of communities who lack financial resources to pursue their God-given talents to showcase how amazing God-creation is. For example, this upcoming Christmas season, children will be able to showcase their talents in singing Christmas songs and doing Christmas-related performances.
As someone who has been participative in various community engagement activities, I see a future where the children will be able to remember the culture of the Philippines and develop both culturally and socially. To end this blog, I would like to share one of the notable bible verses that I love.
“After these things, I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robesand palm branches were in their hands” – Revelation 7:9
The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. Del Rosario College of Business of De La Salle University. He wrote this reflection paper for his class on Integral Human Development. He can be reached at [email protected].
The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.