For many of us, Dec. 17, 2011 was a date remembered vividly. Sendong was traumatic because it had the power to almost wash away our lives and the lives of our loved ones. It was a time worth looking back unto; it need not to be forgotten but rather remembered.
It is heartwarming to know that others helped by donating and preparing, distributing relief goods to those who were greatly affected and have survived. As artists, it is also essential for us to learn from this experience and offer our help through arts. For the past years, we have used theater to entertain and educate. And now, that we have become witnesses and survivors of Typhoon Sendong, arts also became a tool for rehabilitation. With the Kalinga ng Sining project by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, healing through arts was made possible. First done at Candau-ay, Dumaguete City last March 17th and a month later, continued by the Youth Advocates through Theater Arts (YATTA) in Ocoy, Sibulan at the Magsaysay Elementary School last April 17, 2012.
The day started with an art workshop followed by a memorial and a program in the afternoon.
Visual Arts, as what we have experienced, is an activity that can keep a once noisy and chaotic room silent. Children learn to express and think without having to move and shout profusely. Idleness is prevented and changed by imagination and creativity. Through arts, children are taught to get in touch with their selves and develop their artistic talents. And to some extent, mend the trauma they have all been through.
In the afternoon, a memorial was participated by those who were residing near the Ocoy River who were known to have experienced the worst during the typhoon. A testimony by a young girl was heard and a prayer was offered. This memorial was done for us to remember what we lost and remind ourselves that we have to move forward as we strive to be better stewards of God’s creation.
It was followed by a performance entitled Linis, Lusog, Lakas, Ligtas–a piece which aims to educate people on the appropriate actions that need to be done when in an evacuation center to maintain a clean environment and a healthy body away from any illnesses. The promotion of the value of preparedness was made clearer during the distribution of the SOS device donated by Eat Bulaga which contained a flashlight and a whistle are useful tools during calamities.
Typhoon Sendong along with the natural calamities that went by were eye openers and are constant reminders that we are part of the preservation and protection of our home. Although tiring, still it was a fruitful and productive day for us. Performing in the midst of a hot day did not bother most of us knowing that we are sheltered by a big mango tree–one of Mother Earth’s tangible reasons why we need to take good care of our environment. So as we say: love ourselves, love others, and love the environment. We realize that it is important that we do not only mobilize when the damage is already done. But it is also critical to know that prevention and education goes hand in hand with the complete rehabilitation of our selves, others and the environment. As they say, change is difficult but it is not impossible. Let us continue to take action and inspire others to do the same. Padayon ta!
