Senator Loren Legarda has highlighted the importance of passing cultural knowledge and traditions to future generations, noting that such efforts are key to nurturing a stronger sense of national pride and identity.
Legarda made the statement during the Kislap Diwa 2024: Engkuwentro, a collaborative event featuring artists and poets held at the Education Hall of the National Museum of Natural History on Tuesday, according to a Friday news release.
“Kislap-Diwa is more than just art. It symbolizes our determination to uphold and pass on our culture and history to future generations. It embodies our unwavering commitment to the spirit of being Filipino and patriotic – a light that will continue to shine, guiding the future of our nation,” she said.
She also highlighted the significance of Kislap-Diwa in fostering a deeper appreciation of the country’s cultural heritage.
“Amid the fast pace of modernization, we will not allow our culture, arts, and traditions – our heritage that defines our identity – to be buried in dust. That is why, to the best of our ability, we continue to support projects like this, which shine a light in the darkness and pay tribute to the stories, works, and traditions that unite us and revive our collective aspirations as a nation,” Legarda said.
The event, organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Museum of the Philippines, the Society for Strategic Education Studies, and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, brought together visual artists, poets, and cultural advocates for an inspiring exchange of ideas.
Kislap-Diwa was conceived by National Artist Virgilio Almario and Legarda out of their shared commitment to preserving and promoting Filipino culture and heritage.
The first edition of Kislap-Diwa, held in August 2023, featured a public exhibit where 12 artists and 12 poets collaborated on artistic interpretations of pre-colonial artifacts at the National Museum of Anthropology.
In February 2025, the Kislap-Diwa 2024 exhibit will be opened to feature traditional narratives, such as the Manobo epic Agyu, the intricate art of Aklan’s handwoven piña, and the rich musical heritage of the Maranao’s Kulintangan, among other cultural treasures. (PNA)