THE VIEW FROM RIZAL
Dr. Jun Ynares
We join our fellow Rizaleños and Antipoleños in greeting Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo, the leadership and the members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) as it marks its 108th anniversary today.
On this occasion, we reflect on the valuable role and contribution of the INC to the life of our nation and the rest of the world. As it propagates the word of God, the INC has done a lot to help improve the lives of people in many underprivileged communities – not just in the Philippines but also in many other parts of the world.
It has done so through its evangelistic activities and socio-civic projects. In so doing, the INC has been a spreader of hope, particularly during these times of adversities.
We look back to the history of the INC with a lot of reverence, and pride. When we do, we cannot but be awed by the faith and dedication of its founders and pioneers. We would never fail to note that Ka Felix Manalo was, in a way, a Rizaleño. He began his faith journey in Tipas, Taguig when it was still part of Rizal Province.
Ka Felix and his successors Ka Erdie and Ka Eddie have brought to the centerstage of the world the Filipino brand of faith and commitment to the timeless message of the Bible. They introduced the world to the power of the clear and convincing preaching of the Filipino.
As the INC brings its presence and message to many more corners of the world, the latter experiences what is good and what is outstanding in the Filipino.
When President Bongbong Marcos spoke before us in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), he called our attention to the same – to what is outstanding in the Filipino.
In his first SONA last Monday, he portrayed an administration that has a clearly well-planned way forward and which understood what are both important and urgent for the country.
It is evident that his economic team has crafted a brilliant roadmap to recovery and beyond.
The President’s first SONA has accomplished one more outstanding feat: It helped us to appreciate once more our national identity.
At one of the inspiring moments of that address, the President called attention to the “Filipino brand.”
The President declared his commitment to bring to the global centerstage all that is “unique, attractive and creative in the Filipino.” He lauded our “creative and talented” countrymen, noting that they are who give “soul and recognition to our being Filipinos.”
That is the aspect of our identity that the President now wants to bring to the world and which he hopes would capture and hold the world’s attention and patronage.
What is the country’s most powerful “branding tool?” According to the President, that would be the country’s “creative industry.”
One highlight of his first SONA which we hope would not be overlooked is his call and plan to “institutionalize” the creative industry.
That industry is composed of our countrymen who the President said “excel in arts, culture and new media.” He believes it is time to give that industry recognition, support and protection.
In a way, the creative industry is not new.
It has been made to stand out by some of the giants in the world of art, among them: Fernando Amorsolo, Jose Joya, Carlos Francisco, Jose Blanco, Nemesio Miranda, Pacita Abad, Ang Kiukok, Ben Cabrera, Napoleon Abueva and the 105-year-old Whang-Od, Lucio San Pedro, Napoleon Abueva, Victor Edades, Hernando Ocampo, Vicente Manansala and Arturo Luz.
Today, at the forefront of that industry are young Filipinos who shine in the field of animation, graphics design, furniture design, interior design, music and dance.
Much earlier, the world had already come to know and experience what is unique, attractive and creative in the Filipino. That was made possible by the likes of Juan Luna, Felix Resurreccion-Hidalgo, Francisca Reyes-Aquino, Fabian dela Rosa, and Jovita Fuentes.
The Philippine creative industry is not new. The world is not a stranger to the creative genius and expression of the Filipino.
We are inspired by the President’s move to remind us of that fact. We are even more inspired by his move to protect and further advance this industry. This is an excellent way to ensure that future generations of Filipinos are made aware of who they are – a unique, attractive and creative people.
That is who we are. That is our brand. It has always been.
(For feedback, please email it to [email protected] or send it to Block 6 Lot 10 Sta. Barbara 1 cor. Bradley St., Mission Hills Subd., Brgy. San Roque, Antipolo City, Rizal.)