Philippine Center for the Arts and Sciences
Posted on Tuesday, 14 October 2014
Philippine
Center for the Arts and Sciences
…a
suggestion
By Apolinario Villalobos
Being a third world country, the
Philippines’ only other resources aside from the natural endowments such
minerals, wildlife, forests, marine life, and rich agricultural land, that it
can be proud of, are the people – the talented Filipinos. It is a shame that
the human resources are treated only as some kind of an exportable “commodity”
in the form of labor. There is dignity in labor, but there are more that the
Filipinos can do other than work in hospitals, hotels, construction sites and
homes in foreign countries. The Filipinos are oozing with talents, but
unfortunately, are not supported by the government.
Filipino talents in the fields of
invention, literary and music are relegated on the sidelines. Singing contests
in village fiestas, TV programs and those organized by private entities bring
out world-class singers, but after the announcement of their winning and
limited appearance in TV shows, nothing is heard about them. The popular adage
is about the need for the Filipino singers to go to other countries to be able
to earn recognition that they deserve.
There is the so-called National Institute
of Science of Technology (NIST), the government agency that is supposed to be
charged with responsibilities on Filipino inventions. It seems that even in the
issuance of patent, the agency is lagging. The Filipinos know of inventions
only through the media, when resourceful researchers of TV programs are able to
scour the countryside for low-profile inventors. Most often, these inventors
confess that they have gone to the NIST but outright, they get the feeling of
being inadequate due to so many requirements. The standard alibi of the NIST is
that they need to check the inventions’ authenticity before they can be
recognized, but how long will it take them to do it? Additionally, they also
mention the lack of budget!
Also, the inventions are brought to the
attention of the consumers only during exhibits which charge high entrance fees
to the interested public, and exorbitant charges for inventors who would like
to participate. And, to think that these exhibits and shows are supposed to be
“sponsored” by the mentioned government agency in cooperation with the
inventors’ organization. The NIST should sustain the expenses, as the event is
held only once a year. It will not cost the NIST millions of pesos to shoulder
the rent for a venue.
The local market is flooded with gadgets
from other countries, especially, China, and these are gadgets that can be
manufactured locally. So many times, the media expose local inventions that are
supposed to curb expenses on electricity, as well as, fuel consumption, even
nature-friendly insecticides, and many more. Unfortunately, these inventions are
just showcased, waiting for the government support! And, sadly, some of them
end up in other countries for mass-production to be brought back to the
Philippines as finished products bearing foreign sounding brand names.
Filipino literary artists also suffer from
government neglect and utter lack of support. While colleges and universities
offer mass communication courses, the graduates are left to fend for themselves
after graduation, with most talented writers ending up as clerks in offices. I
once talked to the former Director of the National Library of the Philippines,
Ms. Nani Cruz, who confided that the institution, for long, has been in dire
need of Filipino-authored books. That was more than five years ago. Today, not
only is the National Library of the Philippines STILL wanting for the said kind
of books but even the bookstores are showing their lack of concern by
preferring imported books – best sellers in countries where they come from!
These book outlets gladly and proudly announce arrival of foreign authors for
book signing!
My suggestion is for the government to
expand the scope of NIST’s responsibilities by adding the aspect of permanent
showcasing of inventions, be they with issued or pended patent. This can be
done by moving the said agency to a big facility complete with equipment for
testing and a showroom- a one-stop shop of sort, located in an area accessible
to the consumers and patent buyers/manufacturers. The facility should also
accommodate those that concern literary and music. It should be a complex that
aspiring artists can visit, not only for copyrighting of their works but also
for marketing purposes. It should also include audio-video recording
facilities. The Copyright office should be based in this center. It should also
provide office spaces for organizations that cater to the development of
artistic talents of Filipinos. It is suggested that this complex be called “The
Philippine Center for the Arts and Sciences”.
If the former President Ferdinand Marcos
turned dictator, was able to build
hospitals and research institutes for the heart, kidney and the lungs,
additional building complex for the Philippine General Hospital, a vast complex
that includes Cultural Center of the Philippines, Folk Arts Theater, Philippine
International Convention Center, Coconut Palace, and Philippine Trade and
Exhibition Center, why can’t the current government build what is being
suggested – the Philippine Center for the Arts and Sciences?
If Pnoy Aquino would really want to be
remembered, this, he should do. He should stop warbling about “reforms” for
there is nothing that needed to be reformed. He has done NOTHING YET! What he
meant could be the “eradication” of corruption which has just gone from worse
to worst! He even refuses to acknowledge
the fact that some of his trusted guys are not “clean”…hinging his support to
them on the premise that unless they are proven guilty in court, they are
innocent of any guilt. How can they be investigated when he, himself, is
insinuating that they are innocent? He should stop talking about reforms
because the inadequacies of his administration just add up to neck-deep
atrocities already committed by past administrations. If he wants to leave a
legacy, it should be tangible enough to be seen and remembered…and this is it,
the Philippine Center for the Arts and
Sciences.
Discussion