Theater and cultural arts practitioners from all over Mindanao assembled in Cagayan de Oro for a two-day conference hosted by Xavier University on September 8-9.

The gathering called “Timbayoyng Mindulani” sought to revive and strengthen the network of theater groups and practitioners in Mindanao. It also introduced new developments in the country’s culture and the arts scene.

Present during the conference was the Chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Felipe de Leon Jr. He shared the new vision of the NCCA, which is the “Filipino culture as the wellspring of national and global wellbeing.”

“Underlying any vision for the nation is culture,” he said. “All images in the world came from artists. These images imply values… the artist really sets the vision for the nation.”

He added that one of the thrusts of the NCCA is the promotion of nationhood or “Filipinoness.” He said that colonialism has degraded how Filipinos think of themselves. Instead, Filipinos should celebrate their greatness.

“We have so much to share and contribute to the world,” de Leon said. He emphasized on the promotion of “Galing Pinoy” and bared plans to position the country as the center for performing arts in Asia. “Filipinos are expressive, so we excel in the performing arts.”

Further, de Leon shared the commitment of the NCCA to help local artists earn sustainably from their craft. He said he believes in strengthening theater to “strengthen the nation against the forces of greed represented by the cultures of power and wealth.”

Also present during the conference was Gardy Labad, head of the National Committee on Dramatic Arts of the NCCA. He imparted on the priority programs of the Committee, which included among others, support for regional network building, community theater development and scholarships.

“There are inter-committee programs in every region in an effort to synchronize our initiatives,” said Labad who stressed on the importance of regional participation in opportunities to create art.

A new organization for artists’ protection was also launched at the conference, the Mindanao Equity for Creativity and the Arts (MECA). The group, which was registered in June this year, is founded by cultural workers active during the martial law period. They seek to make artistic works more accessible to the public while also helping artists protect the integrity of their work by ensuring that they are fairly compensated for their artistic creations.

“MECA is a fair trader of creative artworks,” said Fe Remotigue, MECA president. “Creative works and processes shall be included in the country’s GDP, making artists a significant member of the economic sector.”

This was the first time in four years that theater and cultural arts practitioners in Mindanao met again for Timbayayong Mindulani.

Mindulani, which stands for Ani sa Dulang Mindanao, is a community of artists and cultural workers from Mindanao who are dedicated to creating art pieces that advance peoples’ journey toward peace and development.