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By Johanna M. Sampan, Reporter
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will fulfill his
promise to put the mural given to him by President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo through the National Commission
for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in the UN
headquarters in New York.
The mural—recognized by Ki-Moon for
highlighting the importance of culture in the achievement of the
United Nations Millennium Development Goals (UNMDGs)—was made by
the Batanes collective artists including Ronald Gonzales, Xavier
Abelador, Javier Ponce and Jaypee Fortes.
The turnover was accomplished on the 23rd when
NCCA Chairman Vilma Labrador personally gave the mural to the hands
of UN Mission led by Philippine Ambassador Hilario Davide. The mural
will now be framed and will have an official installation scheduled.
The occasion was also utilized for the meeting of Chairman Labrador
with cultural, civic and educational leaders, organized through UN
Consul General Cecile Rebong to discuss the mechanics and operations
of Balik-Artist and Balik-Teacher program that can parallel the
Balik-Scientist project of the country.
The Cultural Caregiving Services to reach out to
overseas Filipinos were also forged for the East Coast. In the West
Coast, the Filipino American Service Group, Incorporated (FASGI),
through its Chairman Eduardo Angeles and its Executive Director
Susan Dilkes, in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General
in Los Angeles Hon. Mary Jo Bernardo-Aragon, organized the press
conference to herald the program and meetings were also arranged.
The painting that was presented on October 29,
2008 depicts the eight UNMDGs: ending of poverty and hunger, having
universal education, promoting gender equality, protecting
children’s health, combating HIV and AIDS, sustaining the
environment and forging global partnerships.
The UN chief was very appreciative of the gift
when he received it in Malacañang. The painting was created as part
of the NCCA Kalahi Cultural Caregiving services for poverty
alleviation. Ki-Moon promised to place it at the United Nations
headquarters—a very great honor for Filipino artists as well as
for the whole country. It coincides with the Philippines prominence
in the UN global count of Stand and Take Action Against Poverty.
“Your commitment to the Millennium Development
Goals is inspiring,” said Ki-Moon in his speech. “You have shown
remarkable leadership on climate change. Indeed, the numerous
alternative energy protects in which the Philippines has invested is
one of the highest among countries at a similar level of
development.”
President Arroyo also conferred the Order of
Sikatuna (Rank of Rajah) to Ki-Moon in recognition of his
achievements in international relations and for his invaluable
contribution for the advancement of global peace and development,
the protection of human rights and the pursuit of local UN
endeavors.
Ki-moon’s Manila visit was part of his
four-country tour in Asia, which he addressed the opening session of
the Second Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) at the
Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City,
which drew government representatives from 163 UN member states.
Joined by his wife Madame BanSoon-Taek and
Madame Virginia Davide, spouse of Ambassador to the UN Hilario
Davide, the visit aimed to highlight the support that the UN system
in the Philippines has provided for the Philippines Government to
help attain the Millennium Development Goals.
Prototypes of cultural caregiving services have
already been initiated by the NCCA, in the USA with performances of
National Artist’s Alejandro Roces’ Something To Crow About and
the visit of the Loboc Children’s Choir. In Europe the program was
showcased in Madrid, Spain through Ambassador Joseph Delano Bernardo
where the Filipino-Spanish community was serviced including the
Filipino staff by the delegates to the UNESCO-ITI 31st Congress in
Madrid.
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