Vice President Leni Robredo marked Valentine’s Day on Monday, Feb. 14, with various Philippine national artists endorsing her presidential bid for the May 2022 polls.
Robredo, who attended the event entitled “Pusuan ang Sining at Kultura: State of the HeART,” expressed her gratitude for the endorsement, adding that it is an honor to receive support from Artists for Leni and the Katipunan sa Kultura at Kasaysayan (KKK) 2022.
KKK was founded by author and poet Virgilio “Rio Alma” Almario (literature), and is composed of sub-group of artists including master of contemporary art Ben Cab (visual arts), musician and conductor Ryan Cayabyab (music), Dr. Ramon Santos (music), and Ballet Philippines founder Alice Reyes (dance).
“Hindi ninyo naman kailangan lumahok pa pero lumalahok kayo dahil sa malaking pagmamahal sa bayan (You don’t need to join but here you are participating because you have a great love for the country),” Robredo said during her speech at the Miriam College in Quezon City.
“Iyong sinakripisyo nyo, iyong naimbag nyo, kung tutuusin, lubos-lubos na pero eto kayo handa ulit na mag-ambag pa para sa kinabukasan ng mga anak natin (What you have sacrificed, what you have contributed, if you think about it, are more than enough but here you are ready again to contribute for the future of our children),” she added.
The presidential aspirant thanked the national artists “for going out of their comfort zones” not only to campaign for her but also to signify their readiness to fight for the country.
Ben Cab, whose real name is Benedicto Cabrera and whose museum in Tuba, Benguet is adorned by pink parols, sent a video message for Robredo’s endorsement.
“She’s honest, incorruptible, hardworking, dignified, shows up to get things done. She knows what she’s doing. She’s lovely to look at. She’s everything the current president is not,” he said.
Reyes stressed the importance of having the “opportunity” to have leaders like Robredo, her running mate Senator Kiko Pangilinan, and their senatorial slate.
“Let us keep our focus on what happened six years ago when Leni Robredo became vice president against all odds. And she served brilliantly, quietly, steadily, without any fanfare as vice president against all odds,” she said.
For Cayabyab, only Robredo can bring about “genuine progress.”
“And Leni, as our president, what a joy that finally our tired and hungry land could expect some truth and hope and respect from the rest of the world and most of all, mga kaibigan (my friends), from each other as Filipinos,” he said.
Alma lamented that since 1946, no president or political party made culture a part of their platform.
“Samantala, kapag sinuring mabuti ang talamak na korapsyon at ibang malalaking problema, lahat ng problema ay kultural (In fact, when we examine the rampant corruption and other big problems, all the problems are cultural),” he said.
“Kulang sa pag-ibig sa bayan, bulok ang ating social values, di natin alam ang ating kasaysayan, kulang na kulang sa dangal ng isang mamamayang Pilipino (A lack of love for the country, rotten social values, we do not know our history, we lack the dignity of a Filipino),” Alma added.
During the event, Robredo also promised that if given a chance, she will focus on the “Arts and Culture Kartilya” presented by the KKK 2022.
The duties included in the Kartilya are to promote a national and nationalist culture and history based on the spirit of the 1896 Revolution; preserve and promote a liberative, creative, and innovative culture; support research and studies toward a correct interpretation of history, and promote the national language as a national cultural symbol and official language of the government and education, among others.
Aside from the Kartilya, the Vice President also received the 100 Pink Poems book from the national artists.