The program began with the Tindog invocation, a simple yet powerful piece delivered by such talents as Isay Alvarez and Cecile Garrucho. It ended with a hair-raising roll call of our ancestors: "Tindog Andres Bonifacio… Tindog Jose Rizal… Tindog Gabriela Silang…." ("Tindog" means "to stand up" physically and for one’s principles. The word is widely used in the Visayas, Mindanao, and parts of Luzon. Tindog Pilipinas is an organization that is one of the forces behind Karangalan.) Wow! You had to be there to feel the impact of that moment. I felt the richness of our heritage. I felt profoundly connected to all those who fought before us and realized the significance of where I am today. I thought of the Philippines I wanted my children to inherit and knew, that day, I had begun to create it. Then we stood, hands on our hearts, as we sang the national anthem with renewed passion. I was deeply moved. And so the day began.
Emily Abrera, chairperson of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Karangalan executive committee, spoke of how, when she first heard about the project from Nicanor Perlas, she was all too aware of the challenges facing the country. Though it was clear how important the Karangalan project was, she knew the kind of resources and energy a project like it would entail. How, when there wasn’t much to work with? But the more nagging question was "How can we not?" So there we were, some six months or so later, proudly listening to the first speaker at the Karangalan Conference. All around us, people who believed in the positive transformation and renewal of the Philippines had come forward. The energy was uplifting.
Throughout the three days, I met people I hadn’t seen in years. I couldn’t help but ponder the question of destiny, of who we were when we first met and the kind of personal journey we all took that ended – or truly began – in our re-convergence that day. Virtual strangers brought together by what was a clear vision and hope for the country spoke to each other, some huddled together for hours. People were friendly, warm and encouraging. The true Bayanihan spirit was alive and hard at work throughout the weekend.
Workshops were well attended and participants tried to attend as many as they could. They came to our exhibit booth to look for books that might help fortify, expand and help transform what they had just learned into practical deed. I had conversations with friends, old and new, about natural medicine and conscious parenting, step-parenting, nutrition, exercise, art, movement, organic vs. biodynamic produce, meditation, death, fear, work, books, life missions – you name it. I experienced so many things internally and externally that I cannot help but feel that my life has taken a major turn towards its true direction.
Let’s not forget the artists! Most of the performers were fantastic. I realized I had become so jaded by "formula entertainment" that I’d forgotten the consuming pleasure of experiencing what I now consider "authentic artistry." Dancers moved from the soul. Singers engaged the spirit. They didn’t just perform. I could feel a different, pulsing earnestness, a longing to give their very best. Every performance was a gift. And that made all the difference.
In his talk, "Building a Visionary Philippines," Nicanor Perlas encouraged everyone to begin living outside the box, to start exploring realms in culture, economics and politics that we never dreamed we could enter and be active in. My participation in the Karangalan Conference and Festival was my first major out-of-the-box experience where I stretched and flexed in directions I didn’t think possible. Me? Be useful in anything outside the home and my children’s school? Me? Help out in a project with such mammoth implications? What could I possibly contribute? But when I decided to put myself out there, everything moved. And kept moving. And people responded and started moving. I experienced the power of individual commitment. Today, a week later, I am experiencing the power of collective commitment as ideas for Karangalan 2006 begin pouring in. The change has indeed begun.
Thank you to all those who helped us. Thank you to all the participants. Thank you from the bottom of my proud Pinay heart. Tindog Karangalan! Tindog Pilipinas!