A night of songs, dances and short theatre performances paid tribute to Luzon martyrs, who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for freedom and democracy. Among them were UPLB constituents, the cultural workers detained, tortured, and killed during the Martial Law regime and also artists who continue to engage themselves in social transformation.
The steps of Humanities building, now dubbed as Hagdan ng Malayang Kamalayan in honor of UPLB fallen activists, served as the fitting venue for the event called “TRIBUTE: Hagdan sa Bantayog ng Kagitingan” held on March 1, 2018 at 7-10 pm.
The Department of Social Sciences collaborated with the Arts Research and Training Institute in Southern Tagalog Incorporated (ARTIST) Inc. to stage this event. Atty Filemon Nolasco, in his keynote address, challenged artists and cultural workers to continuously get involved in addressing societal issues.
Mr. Edward Perez, executive director of ARTIST Inc., recognized the contribution of Prof. Leo Rimando in theatre, Dr. Aloysius Baes in music, and Prof. Jocelyn Bisuna in community cultural work, as he delivered the opening remarks. UPLB activists cited during the tribute night also included Rizalina Ilagan, Cristina Catalla, Ma. Leticia Ladlad, Manuel Salva-Cruz, Jessica Sales, Gerardo Faustino, Emmanuel Bautista, Rodelio Manaog, Wenceslao Olaguer, Ferdinand Booc, and PJ Lapiz
Mr. Perez is also the head convenor of the LIKHANDULA, launched by ARTIST Inc. from February 26 to March 3, 2018 in UPLB. The second LIKHANDULA International Arts Exchange and Collaboration coincided with the National Arts Month, assisted by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), ARTIST PARS Association Inc. and Lusong Luzon Arts and Culture Network Inc.
Artists and cultural workers from Luzon gathered during this all-night event, joining their locally based counterparts. With guest Danny Fabella, Gary Granada, and Jess Santiago, the tribute evening performers included Ricamela Palis and the ARTIST Kalantog, Vim Nadera of the Philippine High School for the Arts, Teatro Umalohokan, NCCP’s Teatro Ekumenikal, students of HUMSS from Canossa Colleges, UPLB Sandayaw Dance Group, and Tulisanes.The cultural group from Tinoc, Ifugao inititated the community dancing. ∎
