Pinoy Superheroes for real

Sunday, March 23, 2008


Pinoy superheroes for real

By Katrina C. Guevarra, Contributor

In an age when cynicism, absurdity and hypocrisy make the very notion heroism seem a bit daft and loony—a Quixotic notion to be found only in comic books where people where tights and a cape. But even today, the unlikeliest people can embody true heroism in real life.

Take for example comedian/video documentarian Tado Jimenez and Buwi Meneses, guitarist of the irreverent rock group Parokya ni Edgar. “Everyone can be dakila,” they proclaim. Being dakila or noble is a measure of one’s heroism.

Over a few drinks at Treehouse in Quezon City, a group of concerned musicians, poets and actors started sharing their views on certain political issues. “It started at a time much like today. Two years ago the situation was much like today,” recalls Jimenez. Their idea was to be able to participate and express their opinions on what is happening to our country. That eventually led Jimenez, Meneses, along with poet Lourd de Veyra and actor Ronnie Lazaro to found Dakila.

Dakila is an artist group formed by individuals with different advocacies with one aim—to instill modern day heroism in everyday people. “A hero doesn’t have to get himself shot in Luneta. Being a hero means not littering and crossing the street at the proper pedestrian lane. Even in the little things we do, we can become heroic,” explains Jimenez.

In our society today, the words “activism” and “protest” are often equated with rallying on the street and shouting slogans. However, Dakila’s idea of activism and protest is quite the opposite of that.

“The common concept of protest is a rally. With us, as much as possible, we can demonstrate your involvement or participation without affecting other aspects of your life,” said Jimenez.

This is clearly evident through the different programs they had to show activism. Their very first showcase of activism had them holding broomsticks and dustpans instead of placards.

“When we started Dakila, we declared that the Philippines was dirty. Linisin ang Pilipinas [Clean the Philippines] was the campaign of Dakila. So we cleaned up the relief map in Luneta. We did it in three days. We made it beautiful again.”

Every third Sunday of the month, they also have this activity called “Sunday Silence,” wherein they observe silence and just express themselves through instruments and what-nots.

Meneses narrates how they used their influence as artists to be catalysts for change in this country, “Like Tado said, artists are a bit influential because you do something visual. Music is also very influential with the youth.”

This led to them using their music as a medium to reach out to the public. Luckily for them, one of their fellow artists came just in time for this project they were planning. “Noel Cabangon had this song that that he wanted to donate to Dakila. The message was spot on. We were able to say what we wanted to say with the song,” says Meneses.

More than 46 artists collaborated on the song “Kaya Mong Maging Dakila.” “We used artists who want to be socially involved through music,” said Meneses. “If you listen to its lyrics and the flow of the song, it gently implores you to become dakila,” he added. “Basically it’s a call for the core values of being heroic,” said Leni Velasco, logistics officer of Dakila.

The collective, though relatively new, has grown rapidly over two years. “It’s not exclusive to artists. There are students, young professionals. From a mere 67, we’ve grown to around 500 plus. We have members even in Cebu,” said Velasco.

As proof to their unwavering advocacy to get the youth and the public involved in social activism, it launched Peacetahan 2008 together with an NGO group Sulong CARHRIHL. It’s a song and music video, infomercial and poster-design contest. “Through this kind of activities we try to involve young people into advocacies,” Velasco said.

Among these young people who joined the contest is a 20-year old gangster-composer from the outskirts of Tondo, Billy Cruz. His music video entry of his own song composition tells of youth, who since their childhood, have already been drawn into drugs, who instead of books, have sacks of garbage on their hands.

Contrary to his gangster image—pierced ears, colored hair, ghetto outfit, his reason why he made the music video is quite noble. Cruz said, “I wanted to show the youth the truth. It is their right to get an education and not having to earn a living. It is their right to eat three times a day. But they have to salvage trash just to eat. This is to show people how the system really works.”

There are heroes among us, even within ourselves. We just have to open our eyes.

For details on the Dakila Collective, visit www.dakila.org.ph.



http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/mar/23/yehey/weekend/20080323week2.html