Sagisag Kultura

Of cultural dissemination and culture-based education

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) recently held its press briefing on the forthcoming Sagisag Kultura ng Pilipinas competitions this December. There will be contests in balagtasan, Christmas songwriting, teaching videos, and module writing.

The 9th Diwang Sagisag Kultura ng Pilipinas competition is a nationwide contest that started in 2013 as a flagship project of the NCCA Sub-Committee on Cultural Dissemination that is implemented by the Philippine Cultural Education Project (PCEP), in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and TESDA.

Its aim is to assimilate the 'sagisag kultura ng Filipino' (SKF), as well as give importance to the Filipino identity as a race and/or people. "This entire project started 2013 by the cultural mapping done by the NCCA. National Artist Virgilio Almario chose 2,000 from the 8,000 mapped cultural icons, which became the basis for the 9th year edition.

When culture and the arts are taught properly, Filipinos will be apprized of the many nuances inherent in every regional tradition, thereby eliminating the chances of committing "errors" in interpretations.

"The annual balagtasan competition is truly commendable. This medium is for those who are the purveyors of this art form for the coming generations. Writing it involves research as it entails following logic and sound reasoning," intoned contest chairman Dr. Vim Nadera.

The PCEP gives scholarships to teachers for disseminating culture as mandated by the DepEd. "If learning was based on culture, then it could be truly useful for all who studied it. Culture is part of everyday life, and is thus a catalyst for learning," enthused Dr. Joseph Cristobal.

The competition will test if the thrusts in the culture-based education has been in effect. The Filipino identity could be seen in each and every 'sagisag kultura' icon. "The bureaucracy dictates what is to be taught. Fortunately, the Kto12 curriculum now uses culture-based modules," informed Dr. Orlando Magno.

The finalists in all categories will be revealed on Dec 8, while the top three winners in the Christmas songwriting contest will be revealed and performed during the Madrigal Singers concert on Dec 18-19. They will each receive cash prizes in descending value, from first (Php 50,000), second (Php 30,000), and third (Php 20,000). Dr. Mark Carpio of The Madz will be spearheading the competition.

On the other hand, the ten best culture-based modules will each receive Php 10,000. The balagtasan champion will receive Php 10,000 while the 2nd and 3rd placers will receive Php 7,000 and Php 5,000, respectively.