Artists clean RP relief map in Luneta

If the task of changing the country were as simple as cleansing a relief map, then a group of artists would have succeeded in just one day.

Members of Dakila, a movement composed of artists who want to inspire fellow Filipinos to support change through their craft, flocked to the Luneta Park in Manila yesterday to clean and repaint the Philippine relief map in the historic place.

"You don’t have to die here in Luneta to become a hero. In our own simple ways, we can help change our country," Lenny Velasco, convenor of the group, explained.

"There is a need to cleanse the Philippines and we’re doing this to symbolize our desire for change. We want to instill awareness, and educate and inspire the people through our power to influence the public," Velasco said.

Among the prominent members of the activist group who joined the symbolic activity were singers Cookie Chua and Noel Cabangon, comedians Candy Pangilinan and Tado, and actor Jeffrey Santos.

The group said they believe that while Filipinos are not indifferent to the problems facing the country, they need to do something and contribute to the solutions.

"This is precisely the reason why we’re doing this: We want to inspire the people to get involved," stressed Velasco, who admitted that they could be considered an activist group "but not the stereotype."

Dakila members also worked with Rocking through Education (Rock-Ed), a non-government organization whose members in the music industry have also been involved in political activism.

Fine Arts students from the University of the Philippines, De La Salle University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines and other schools also joined the repainting of the relief map.

During the four-hour activity, several bands performed in a stage built to entertain participants.

"As you can see, our members and participants are very hyped up. Kahit na burak lang ang tinanggal naming sa mapa na ito, alam naming na ginagawa namin ang bahagi namin (Though we are only cleaning this map, we know that we are doing our share)," said Velasco.

Velasco said their members have been promoting the group’s advocacy in their respective performances, either on TV, in theaters, or the movies: "We do this not only whenever we are all together. We try to contribute to our goal individually."