PURSUING development should also go hand in hand in preserving the culture.
This was stressed by Philippine Information Agency Director General Jose Mari Oquiñena during a media forum on the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Luzon arts and culture promotions.
“It is culture that defines who we, Filipinos, are and as we pursue innovation and development, we should also continue to work for the preservation of our culture as we owe this to our forefathers and our children - the people of the next generation,” Oquiñena said.
Oquiñena pointed out there are a lot of practices in the Philippine culture passed on by forefathers that can be used for the country’s development, only if all Filipinos, bounded by the culture, unite and work together.
“We make this country move forward together. No one needs to be left behind if only we decide to employ the teachings of our forefathers and our brothers in the indigenous communities,” he stressed.
Oquiñena attended the forum to also officially witness the Memorandum of Agreement signing between NCCA Deputy Executive Director Marichu Tellano and PIA Cordillera Regional Director Helen Tibaldo for promotions and advocacy project involving all PIA regional offices in Luzon.
For the partnership, Oquiñena stressed his excitement on PIA working for the promotion of culture because aside from informing the people, he also wants the agency to inspire the people of the rich and unique Philippine culture.
Aside from PIA, NCCA also signed a MOA with Sun.Star Baguio represented by its general manager, Peter Rey Bautista, for a partnership in information dissemination of the commission’s program and activities.
Other NCCA officials present during event were NCCA National Committee on Communications vice head Rodrigo Cornejo, Executive Committee member on Cinema Archie Adamos, ExeCom member on Communications Francisco Macasa, ExeCom member on Art Galleries Malen Catajan, Arts section head Ferdinand Isleta, and PAIO head Rene Napenas. (Pia J. Orines/UC Intern)