Liza Diño shares updates on helping with Duterte’s arts, culture agenda

MANILA, Philippines – Liza Diño took to Instagram on Sunday, July 24 to give updates about the Duterte administration’s plans for the culture and arts sector of the country.

Last June, it was reported that President Rodrigo Duterte had asked the couple’s help in promoting arts and culture, with Aiza saying that they had met with him in Davao over the matter.

In the photo, Liza wrote that she and husband Aiza Seguerra met with Cabinet Secretary Leoncio “Jun” Evasco, Jr to discuss updates on what Duterte had initially asked the two to do.

“We just had a meeting in Malacañang with Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco as we explored initial talks (based on collated proposals from various cultural organizations) towards the president’s directive to give attention to the Arts and Culture sector,” Liza said.

“We are very pleased to know that the thrust of the Duterte administration’s social agenda is to give importance to culture as one of the main components in nation building.

“According to Cabinet Secretary Evasco, in line with the President’s mandate on unity, culture plays a big role in bringing back our nationhood,” she continued.

“Sabi nya, desire ng Pangulo na pagdating ng panahon, wala nang marginalized. Lahat tayo ngayon ay stakeholders sa pagbabagong dala ng gobyernong ang layunin ay paglingkuran ang sambayanan.

(He said that it was the president’s desire that when the time comes, there will be no more marginalized sectors. All of us would be stakeholders in the change heralded by the government, whose purpose is to serve the people) 

While Liza admitted that there is much to be discussed about the matter, it’s a good sign that the issue is being addressed. “In time, sana’y makita rin ng ating gobyerno ang potential ng arts and culture sector bilang creative industry,” Liza said. 

“Napakayaman ng Pilipinas sa talento at cultural goods – as we simultaneously work on propagating cuture and arts across the nation, pwede nating sabayan ng mga programa para ihanda ang bansa as a creative economy. 

(In time, I hope the government will see the potential of the arts and culture sector as a creative industry. The Philippines is rich in talent and cultural goods – as we simultaneously work on propagating culture and arts across the nation, we can craft programs to prepare the country in becoming a creative economy.)

Liza added: “Global competitiveness – namamayagpag ang Pilipinas pagdating sa mga patimpalak kung saan lagi tayong nananalo. From film festivals, to dance, to visual arts, literary arts, music, at iba pang larangan, talaga namang hindi nagpapatalo ang ‘Pinas.

(Global competitiveness – the Philippines has been recognized in many international competitions where we always win. From film festivals, to dance, to visual arts, literary arts, music, and in other aspects, the Philippines is not far behind.)

She also said that this competitiveness is an asset that need to be nurtured. “Ramdam ngayon ang mga nag-aalab na damdamin ng ating mga alagad ng sining. We are but humble spectators of what’s been happening.

“Maraming plano para maging inclusive ang pagbuo ng cultural agenda. Ayokong ipre-empt. Sana lang lahat tayo ay magkaisa at maging positibo para sa hakbang na ito.

(The passion of those who champion the arts can be felt. We are but humble spectators of what’s been happening. There are so many plans to make the crafting of a cultural agenda inclusive. I don’t want to pre-empt it. I just hope all of us will unite and be positve about this.)

“And more importantly, trust that those who are actively participating in putting this together have our best interests in mind,” she ended

On Duterte Administration and the Arts and Culture Sector We just had a meeting in Malacañang with Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco as we explored initial talks (based on collated proposals from various cultural organizations) towards the president’s directive to give attention to the Arts and Culture sector. We are very pleased to know that the thrust of the Duterte administration’s SOCIAL AGENDA is to give importance to culture as one of the main components in NATION BUILDING. According to Cabinet Secretary Evasco, in line with the President’s mandate on UNITY, culture plays a big role in bringing back our nationhood. Sabi nya, desire ng Pangulo na pagdating ng panahon, wala ng marginalized. Lahat tayo ngayon ay stakeholders sa pagbabagong dala ng gobyernong ang layunin ay paglingkuran ang sambayanan. Marami pa ang kailangang mapag-usapan tungkol sa isyung ito. But for now, malaking bagay ito para sa sining at kultura. In time, sana’y makita rin ng ating gobyerno ang potential ng arts and culture sector bilang creative industry. Napakayaman ng Pilipinas sa talento at cultural goods—-as we simultaneously work on propagating cuture and arts across the nation, pwede nating sabayan ng mga programa para ihanda ang bansa as a creative economy. Global competitiveness—-namamayagpag ang Pilipinas pagdating sa mga patimpalak kung saan lagi tayong nananalo. From film festivals, to dance, to visual arts, literary arts, music, at iba pang larangan, talaga namang hindi nagpapatalo ang Pinas. It’s about time we see this as an asset at pagyamanin:)) Ramdam ngayon ang mga nag-aalab na damdamin ng ating mga alagad ng sining. We are but humble spectators of what’s been happening. Maraming plano para maging inclusive ang pagbuo ng Cultural agenda. Ayokong ipre-empt. Sana lang lahat tayo ay magkaisa at maging positibo para sa hakbang na ito. And more importantly, TRUST that those who are actively participating in putting this together have our best interests in mind. #positivephilippines

A photo posted by Liza Diño-Seguerra (@lizadino) on Jul 23, 2016 at 8:21pm PDT

Aiza and Liza are well known supporters of President Duterte during the election campaign. – Rappler.com