Publisher’s Note
Art and Culture A Must To Promote
PHL's Rich Heritage
E
very country has its share of dilemmas, political, economic or
otherwise, which are targets of headline news in the media. But
beneath such negative reports must come positive items that will
help boost up the image of these said countries by focusing on
stories that showcase their rich cultural heritage. And these come
in many different forms: visual arts, performing arts, culinary arts,
plus the fields of architecture, industrial design, fashion, cinema,
and even digital media arts.
The Philippines is a country very rich in an artistic and cultural heritage that
blends in the best of ancient and modern, old and young, East and West, sedate and
avant-garde. Art and culture can even transcend that notion of being elitist;
even an indie flick with a riveting story on a social issue starring the hottest
hunks directed by the likes of an esteemed film maker that has won major
prizes in, say, prestigious film fests in Asia and Europe can even win the minds
and hearts on the so-called masa. Indeed, art and culture can generate that
magic that strikes the senses, touches the emotions and brings out the best
of creative and imaginative mettle in us Filipinos.
Great appreciation by foreigners of the unique fusion that Philippine art
and culture offers will equally generate that thread of understanding that
can lead to healthy cultural exchanges between the Philippines and other countries.
In a similar vein, even our hardworking OFWs--most especially our seafarers
and our people involved in the hospitality services industry can even host fellowship
events and festivals that can showcase to foreign patrons in their host countries the
best of Filipino music, cuisine and art, both old and new.
If man cannot make a living alone by art and culture, at least these help him
learn to appreciate life and its fine points at its diverse best.
PHILIP O. ORTALEZA
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