We held a Piece for Peace forum for people’s artists last August 28, 2011 at the UP College of Mass Communications Auditorium. Educating us on the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio and Economic Reforms is Raffy Baylosis, representative of the NDFP section of the Reciprocal Working Committee of the GPH-NDFP peace negotiations.
Please come! It’s on August 28 (Sunday), 1 PM at the Auditorium of the UP College of Mass Communications, UP Diliman.
In line with the Concerned Artists of the Philippines’ campaign “Piece for Peace”, we are inviting all freedom, justice and peace loving musicians, visual artists, writers, poets, filmmakers, theater artists and cultural workers in a forum to discuss the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (CASER).
The Kulo Exhibit which included the controversial artwork Poleteismo was originally scheduled to close on August 21 but it was closed down last August 9 by the CCP Board. The artists gathered in front of CCP to hold a symbolic closing activity.
“We were saddened by the untimely closure of the Kulo exhibit as the CCP was forced to take action amid threats and pressures from some groups. We call for vigilance against censorship and other forms of curtailment of our freedom of expression,” said Renan Ortiz, Spokesperson of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines.
The Concerned Artists raised the alarm that closing of the entire Kulo Exhibit amidst threats and extreme pressure from religious groups, legislators and Malacañang could be bad precedence for other exhibits or shows in the CCP.
“How ironic, that President Noynoy, who is the son of freedom fighter, Ninoy Aquino, who celebrates his 29th year of assassination by a tyrannical government, would stand in favor of censorship and stand against the constitution that legitimized the Presidency of her mother, former Corazon Aquino. We challenge the government to uphold freedom of expression as enshrined in the Constitution. We call on Malacañang not to compromise this basic right for any political expediency,” Ortiz said.
The Concerned Artists also expressed support for artists and members of the CCP who face charges filed by some religious sects. Jo Cabuyan, a faculty member of the University of Santo Tomas who helped in the Kulo Exhibit, is also facing a case of termination as a result of a complaint against her involvement in the exhibit.
“We rally behind our artists who are being persecuted. Their civil and economic rights are now threatened, and we are ready to defend them,” Ortiz said.
The Concerned Artists welcomes the presence of CCP Artistic Director Chris Millado who also came to the gathering.
“We call on CCP to continue to open its gates to artists and cultural workers, especially to those who create to depict the realities of our society and promote people’s interests and welfare in these trying times,” Ortiz said.
Wear white. Bring banners, placards, small artworks and your own unique way of saying yes to freedom of expression, no to censorhip and no to persecution!
August 21, 2011
2:00-5:00pm, Front Ramp, Cultural Center of the Philippines
Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City
Assembly Time and Venue:
1:00pm at CCP Little Theater Entrance
Solidarity March starts 2:00pm towards the ramp
The controversy created by the abrupt closure of Kulo exhibit has been nothing short of a milestone in the history of our collective struggle for freedom of expression. In the midst of this trying situation, artists have found it incumbent upon themselves to rally behind this cause despite contending opinions towards Mideo Cruz’ installation entitled Poleteismo. We managed to see and tackle censorship and curtailment of freedom of expression even as we continued to keep or openly express our opposing views about a work that has been victim of both censorship and criminal reaction. We did this out of our recognition that without the fundamental right of being allowed exhibition, any artwork is deprived of the benefit of being assessed in the most intelligent manner possible.
This incident has also given us opportunity to discuss within and among a broad community of people important matters not only about art but also the basic tenets of our democratic rights to express ourselves. The many statements released by organizations, opinion articles written by many, and fora and discussions held inside and outside the academe provided a wealth of wisdom and information which helped us form the strongest argument to assert our fundamental right to express and even assess the works we create. For these reasons, we can at least say that the lessons we learned are good enough to consider as some victories won even as the battle against censorship is far from over.
One more thing that this experience teaches or reminds us is that censorship and fascism still lurks in many segments of the society and they are often wielded by the same league of people and institutions that had commandeered our freedom of expression in several moments in history. As such, we invite everybody to come to the Cultural Center of the Philippines on August 21, 2011, 2:00 pm to join the artists of Kulo exhibit as they hold a symbolic closing. We can take this opportunity to express support for the continuing struggle against censorship. Let us use this occasion to once again register our strong and collective call to oppose unjust censorship of anyone, artist or not. Let us join in this activity in defense of rights won through sweat and blood so that they may serve as a means to serve the people.
Defend our freedom of expression!
Fight Censorship!
Here are various artworks rendered by visual artist and Concerned Artists of the Philippines member Federico “Boy” Dominguez about various issues and situations in society.
We, the Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP), urge the Philippine Senate to uphold the Freedom of Expression as enshrined in the 1987 Constitution.
The 1987 Philippine Constitution states in Article 3, Section 4 that: “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”
We would like to remind the honorable senators of their oath to uphold and defend the Constitution as they begin the Senate inquiry into the controversial “Kulo” exhibit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). We hope they do not use their position to bully and pressure other government institutions, such as the CCP to succumb to their will. We also call on the CCP to stand firm on its mandate, promote and protect the artistic freedom of expression and reopen the exhibit.
Artists and cultural workers from the Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) raise their voices in support of Mideo Cruz whose work “Poleteismo” is now the subject of attacks by religious authorities and their organizations.
“We support the CCP, specially its Visual Arts unit headed by Karen Flores, and the organizers of KULO for upholding freedom of expression as guaranteed by the 1987 Constitution,” says Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera, National Artist for Literature and current Chairperson of CAP.
“Two decades have passed yet the legacy of Director Lino Brocka lives on and continues to inspire people. Indeed, a great director and a genuine artist for the people will always be remembered and treasured by Filipinos”.
Thus said the Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) today as it paid tribute to Director Lino Brocka on the occasion of his 20th death anniversary. The event brought together Director Lino Brocka’s family, friends, colleagues and representatives of people’s organizations.
Naglunsad ang Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) ng isang workshop kasama ang iba’t ibang visual artists noong ika-7 ng Mayo, 2011 sa ACT Building, Visayas Avenue. Si Neil Doloricon, Secretary General ng CAP ang naging facilitator ng nasabing workshop. Ang workshop ay bahagi ng kampanyang “Piece for Peace” na layunin ay tipunin at pakilusan ang mga alagad ng sining sa pagsusulong ng tunay na kapayapaang nakabatay sa paglulutas ng mga suliranin ng lipunan.
Ang “Piece for Peace” ay sinimulan sa isang peace forum ng mga alagad ng sining sa kasaysayan ng usaping pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng Pamahalaan ng Pilipinas at National Democratic Front of the Philippines noong April 10, 2011 sa College of Arts and Letters sa UP Diliman. Resource person sa talakayan si Atty. Edre Olalia, legal consultant ng NDF section ng Joint Monitoring Committee. Pagkatapos ng talakayan ay nag-pulong ang mga visual artists, songwriters at musikero, mga writers at artista sa teatro para sa kanya-kanyang ambag sa kampanya.
Sinimulan ang workshop sa visual arts sa pagbahagi ng mga gawang sining ni Neil Doloricon. Sa ilang dekadang paglikha ng mga gawang sining na progresibo at makabuluhan ay makikita ang lawak ng “body of work” ng dating dekano ng UP College of Fine Arts. Matapos magbigay ng mga halimbawa ng political cartoons ay ibinahagi nya rin ang mga proseso at katangian ng paggawa ng likhang sining na pulitikal. Sa huling bahagi ay nagkaroon ng talakayan sa pagitan ng mga kasali sa workshop tungkol sa mga isyung pumapaloob sa pagbibigay daan sa ganap at prinsipyadong kapayapaan. Natukoy ang iba’t ibang suliraning kumakaharap sa lipunan na maituturing na ugat ng krisis sa kapayapaan sa bansa. Mula sa usaping miltarisasyon, urban land grabbing hanggang sa fare at education fee hikes ay pumili ang mga kasapi sa workshop ng mga isyung tututukan at gagawan ng artwork.
Malaking hamon sa mga artists sa panahon ng panunumbalik ng usaping pangkapayapaan na talasan ang nilalaman at mensahe ng kanilang nililikha. Tulad ng paninindigan sa karapatang mamahayag ng malaya ay kaakibat nito ang paninindigang ang tunay na kapayapaan ay hindi matatamo sa pagsuko sa mga prinsipyong pinaglalaban para sa kabuhayan, lupa at batayang karapatang pantao. Lubos na hindi sasapat ang kamapnya ng kasalukuyang administrasyon laban sa kurapsyon bilang solusyon sa kahirapan.
Ang daan tungo sa tunay na kapayapaan ay pagtugon sa mga suliraning matagal nang nagpapahirap sa sambayanang Pilipino: landordism, mga pulitikong pinagkakakitanang kanilang puwesto sa kapangyarihan at patuloy na US intervention sa laranganng ekonomya, pulitika at kultura.
The suspension of Willing Willie show for a period of two weeks starting today as pronounced by TV 5 Network is indeed a temporary measure long overdue to address the disturbing and demeaning nature of the said program. Nonetheless, it is an opportunity not only to improve guidelines and processes but to totally rethink the concept of entertainment and culture of programs in the industry that has immensely influenced the consciousness of the Filipino viewers and listeners.
The Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP), an organization co-founded by activist filmmaker Lino Brocka in 1983, recently opened “Artista ng Bayan” at the Sining Kamalig gallery of Gateway Mall, Cubao, Quezon City. The exhibit opening also coincides with the launch of the 2011-2012 “Artista ng Bayan” calendar. Evening cultural performances served as tribute to the numerous artists who dedicate their lives in pursuit of basic social change.
Noong Hulyo 31-Agosto 1, 2010, dumayo sa malamig na lunsod ng Baguio, upang makibahagi sa mga huling araw ng pagdiriwang ng ika-19 taon ng pagkakatatag ng Dap-ayan ti Kultura iti Kordilyera (DKK) ang CAP. Pinangunahan ng mga miyembro ng Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) ang napapanahong diskusyon hinggil sa lagay ng sining at kultura, at hamon ng kultural na sektor sa bagong administrasyong Noynoy Aquino sa isang porum na ginanap sa Ayuyang Bar, Baguio City.
August 7-8, 2010 – a group of young artists from the Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) went to Hacienda Yulo in Canlubang, Laguna for “basic masses integration” and to hold a music workshop for the youth of the said hacienda.
Almost four months ago, the farmer residents of Sitio Buntog, one of the 21 sitios of the 7,100 hectare Hacienda Yulo, lead by the SAMANA-Buntog, put up a “kampuhan” (picket) to protest the Yulos’ continuing land use conversion throughout the hacienda. For the farmers of the hacienda, converting the use of land, transforming them into golf courses, real estate and malls, from agricultural would mean perishing their source of life.
