Not many Lagunenses may know or even care, but February is the time when we celebrate National Arts Month, which aims to celebrate artistic excellence, uniqueness and diversity of Filipino heritage and culture.
For far too long, local government units in the province have given too much emphasis on material growth – employment, investments, livelihood and infrastructure – and too little emphasis on the promotion of the arts.
It has only been in recent years that LGUs here in the province have belatedly realized that material growth isn’t enough to bring about the socio-economic progress that their constituents want.
Art is the soul of a nation, it has often been said.
And through neglecting the promotion of the arts – whether it be visual arts, music, or dance – LGUs have unwittingly omitted one of the most vital components of socio-economic progress.
Only in recent years are we now seeing local executives do a “soul-searching” of sorts and have embarked on journeys to “re-discover” what makes their towns or cities unique in the province.
That’s the mindset a certain local executive here in Laguna province who has been very active in promoting his city’s local history and culture now wants to duplicate in the province.
He has this to say during the recent celebration of his city’s historical milestones: he does not want to see a city that has been so “modernized” that it has lost its unique character.
One way of finding that unique character is giving our artistic talents the chance to thrive and express not only their individual ideas but also the shared aspirations of their “kababayans.”
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #OpinYonLaguna #LagunaLGU #NationalArtsMonth