National artists, poets, actors, support Leni’s presidential bid

Five National Artists led a roster of poets, actors, and other artists expressing support Feb. 14 for the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo at an event aptly named “Pusuan ang Sining at Kultura; State of the HeART.”
    National Artists Ben Cab (Visual Arts), Alice Reyes (Dance), Ramon Santos and Ryan Cayabyab (Music), and Virgilio Almario, also known as Rio Alma (Literature) headlined the event held at the Miriam College Covered Courts.
    Each National Artist endorsed Robredo for President. Reyes reminded everyone that Robredo became Vice President and did her job as Vice President “against all odds”.
    “She needs us, we need her. Gawin natin lahat for the love of this country,” Reyes said.
    Rio Alma presented the Arts and Culture Kartilya (guidebook) to Robredo.
Included in the guidebook:
    ·“Pangalagaan at palaganapin ang isang kulturang mapaglaya, malikhain, at mapagbago”;
    ·“Paunlarin ang industriyang pangkultura at ang produktong Filipino”;
    ·“Palaganapin ang edukasyong demokratiko at mga programa para sa pagtaas ng literasi sa buong kapuluan”; at
    ·“Paglingkuran ang kapakanang pangkalusugan at pangkabuhayan ng mga manggagawang pangkultura.”
    In response, Robredo said: “Malaki po 'yung pagpapasalamat ko na ibinigay kayo sa bansa natin. 'Yung isinakripisyo niyo, 'yung naiambag niyo, kung tutuusin lubos lubos na pero ito kayo, handa ulit na mag-ambag pa para sa kinabukasan ng mga anak natin.”
    Robredo also gave her hundred percent commitment to the “kartilya”, mentioning that her team would already sit with the group of artists and work on “weaving” the guidelines into her program of governance should she be elected President.
    “Hindi lingid sa kaalaman namin na pag pinag-usapan 'yung sining at kultura, parang parati siyang nare-relegate in the background. Parating iniisip na hindi siya kasing importante ng iba pang mga isyu at bagay na kinakaharap,” Robredo said.
    “Kaya napakabigat ng kartilya na binasa kanina kasi doon natin mare-realize na 'yung kultura, na 'yung sining, 'yung kasaysayan, malaking malaking bahagi ng pang-araw-araw na buhay ng bawat Pilipino na kinalimutan na natin. At ito, 'yung 2022 elections, binibigyan tayo ng pagkakataon na balikan kung sino tayo bilang Pilipino, na balikan kung ano 'yung mga pinaniniwalaan natin bilang Pilipino at ito 'yun,” she added.
    The book “100 Pink Poems for Leni,” published by San Anselmo Press, was also launched and a copy was given to the Vice President.
    At the event, 10 poets also read their own original works, while nine others were read by actors.