Her post reminded me so much of our former Culture and Performing Arts Director at the Camarines Norte State College, Mr. Ket Fernandez. For four years I was a member of the CNSC Chorale under his tutelage. He was very passionate about music, about art, and culture. He was persistent and insistent on giving nothing less but authentic cultural performances, which proved quite a challenge in our community.
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| Sir Ket playing the kubing as we perform Iddem-dem Mallida |
I admired his desire to educate the students - and yes, professors and administrators, even politicians, too - about how rich our culture is. He would rave on and on about raising the standards for entertainment. He had strong opinions against beauty contests (which was always a form of entertainment during fiestas and school activities), network TV shows, and yes, even pop music.
Though his opinions could be a little bit conservative and purist, he presented some very good points. He was proud of his heritage (he would always tell people about his birthplace which was Cuyo, Palawan), proud of the Filipino talent (he believed in utilizing the artistic abilities of the youth to promote the economic and cultural growth of the province), and did not tolerate ignorance.
Our performances would always include Philippine folk songs and dances, especially the ethnic ones. He would push our skills to its limits, teaching us nothing less than the repertoire of the Philippine Madrigal Singers and the Bayanihan Dancers.
He would make us sing Bicolano-composed songs too, and those that invoke nationalism and love for country. Most of all he worked hard to promote our cultural group by making us perform outside the province, and in doing so carry our school and province's name with pride. It was amazing how he transformed a group of kids - most of whom did not read notes at all and did not have any background on choral music and Broadway musicals - into a full-fledged choral group.
Like I said, it was difficult to be passionate about culture and the arts when people would rather watch talentless celebrities and beautiful (well, not really) women parade their bodies in their swimsuits. It was heart-breaking to work so hard and get nothing but apathy in return, most of the time from the very community we work so hard to promote and support. It is indeed a challenge to educate people who think they don't need to be educated. It is even more challenging to insist on raising standards and taste when people who are in authority are more than willing to just do what has always been done because they don't want to "stir the pot". It was a pity, because we have a lot of talented people in the province.
I know that those who did not understand his passion might have believed our director to be a tad arrogant. Then again, he was an artist, he was temperamental not because he demanded perfection, but because he demanded respect. Respect for the country, respect for our history and culture, and respect for people.
During his birthday on my last year in school I wrote him a note saying "Sir, paglaki ko, gusto ko maging katulad n'yo." (When I grow up I want to be like you.) I still do.
I wish I could be brave like Sir Ket - brave enough to believe that he can change the world in that little town that was not so keen on changing...brave enough to stand out, to be different, to go against the tide.
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