PEACE-MAKER

Since we retired from public office and narrowed our international engagements, we have been spending more time in our congressional district, which includes our hometown Dagupan City and the towns of Manaoag, San Jacinto, Mangaldan, and San Fabian. 

We are now, however, more of an eyewitness, instead of participant, to the events and developments in our district. 

We are heartened that our son, Congressman Christopher, who is now on his third and last term, has continued our and our wife Gina’s legacy of public service. We are proud of his accomplishments as a lawmaker, having penned, among others, the landmark Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, Cultural Mapping Law, and the One Town One Product (OTOP) Philippines Act. We are also pleased with his many projects, programs, and pioneering initiatives in the district, such as the local arts festival, called Galila, which means “come and visit” in Pangasinense. 

He explained that the Galila Arts Festival is a celebration of the flourishing creative community in our district and serves as a venue for local creatives to learn and share their skills and collaborate with other creatives from other regions in the Philippines. 

Now on its second year, the festival will run from Sept. 13 to 29 and will feature a wide array of performances, workshops, and more. 

The Galila Arts Festival is a follow through to Congressman Christopher’s earlier successful arts program, the Anakbanwa Creative Residency, which he launched in 2021 to provide a venue for creatives to immerse themselves in the different communities, experience cultural heritage, and learn from diverse practices in the fourth district of Pangasinan.

Our province is a place of diverse culture and heritage and rich natural resources that are highlighted by lively festivals celebrated by the different localities. A local arts festival serves as a powerful bridge between an individual and both his cultural roots and the community. This communal celebration of art transcends differences, encouraging dialogue, mutual understanding, and the recognition of shared traditions. 

Local festivities also play a crucial role in fostering a vibrant creative economy, which is a vital force that surpasses traditional economic boundaries. The creative economy encompasses a diverse array of sectors including visual arts, gastronomy, performing arts, game development, publishing, and design, among others. These sectors not only contribute significantly to our growth domestic product or GDP, but also enhance our cultural richness and global influence.

Based on the latest report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) using 2023 data, these industries contributed 7.1 percent to the Philippines’ GDP, amounting to ₱1.72 trillion. This growth is not just about economic figures; it represents the livelihoods of 7.26 million Filipinos, accounting for 14.3 percent of our labor force, who find opportunities and fulfillment in the creative economy. In the third quarter of the same year alone, the creative industries grew by a whopping 15.5 percent year-on-year according to the PSA and the Department of Trade and Industry. 

Congressman Christopher told us much earlier that following the enactment into law of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, every September of the year has been designated as the Philippine Creative Industries Month. September is also observed as the National Peace Consciousness Month. 

Local arts festivals, such as the Galila, provide a peaceful platform for expression and exchange, thus contributing to a culture of dialogue, collaboration, and harmony. In this way, they serve not only as cultural celebrations but as vital contributors to peace.