Inter-committee NCCA
condoles for Marañon

The first Visayas Inter-regional committees consultation of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts approved unanimously a resolution of condolence for the family of the late Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Marañon.

Cecilia Alvarez, the NCCA executive director, asked me to hand carry that resolution of condolence which I handed to Mrs. Aida Maranon, widow of the late governor.

The resolution was approved because of the intense focus by Marañon for the perpetuation and spread of arts and culture in the province, noting that among his salient contributions was the Negros Museum. This is now considered one of the best in the country and is considered a must for Negrense visitors.

The resolution was submitted by Pol Bulilan of Cebu and unanimously got the nod of all the participating members from all over the Visayas.

Among the executive committee members of communication members were Alex de los Santos, Eldigario Gonzales, Orlando Magno, John Barrios, lawyer Lourdes Barcena, Ely Dejaresco, David Genotiva, Jun Dayang, and chair Alfredo Gabot and myself.

The others included Mrs. Amrilyn Gamboa, Cristina Taniguchi, Erlinda Alburo, Prof. Carlos T. Magtolis Jr., Arabella Ananoria, Architect Ma. Lourdes Onozawa, Msgr. Carlito V. Pono, Clem del Castillo and Dr. Stephen Henry Totanes.

The other group included Negros Oriental board members Mariant Villegas, Architects Wilfredo Sy and Ma. Lizeta Uy, Annie Divinagracia Sartorio, Patrio Primor Jr., Ma. Lourdes Josefa Lopez, Frau Paolo, Ma. Diosdado G. Casuaro, Victorio Sugbo, Hope Yu, Palmay Marinel Pe,  Valente Villanueva, Dennis E. Montera, Mariano Montelibano, Brothers Santy Leano and Red Eumcris.

There were also Enoch Valencia, Elorde Vicente, Lorna Jimena, Merly Delfin and Alphonsu Tesoro present.

But the First Visayas region conference among the various committees of the NCCA provided the opportunity for forging linkages among them to the point that the conference agreed to organize coordinating committees in the three Visayas areas – Western, Eastern and Central.

Mrs. Alvarez pointed out that this has long been an overdue project that finally took off last weekend at the Grand Regal hotel.

In short, what happened was the agreement that the communication links among the arts, theater, dance, drama, museums, etc. will have to be strengthened so that more Filipinos will be reached by the meaning of these varied activities.

Jose Dayang, president of the Publishers Association of the Philippines and member of the communication executive committee, said the breakthrough will also mean that the PAPI could now take off with the  proposal to devote enough space in their respective community newspapers to give reports on various cultural and arts stories.

Aside from addressing the problems and achievements as well as projects and program of the various local groups, the coordinating council will also undertake a part of the Cultural Mapping project. This will ultimately lead to the compilation of a book that will inform the local population and foreigners on what the particular province can offer in terms of heritage sites, scenic spots, etc.

This concerns a vital project because, as Mrs. Alvarez pointed out, the Philippines has become a known country in the global community.

There are also many events being done in many parts of the country, but remain unknown except for the locals, pointed out the NCCA executive director.

Now with community newspapers involved in the propagation of arts and culture, Dayang stressed, the Philippines is ready to take off its cultural and arts revolution.*

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