Fishermen who joined the second Atin Ito-led civilian mission to Scarborough Shoal on May 16, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File
The historic Atin Ito Peace and Solidarity Concert at Sea took four months to mount, said Melvin Lee of the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA).
Lee is directing the concert, as the theater company was tapped to mount the two musical events during the civilian mission.
Last December 2023, PETA also mounted a similar concert at the Bahay ng Alumni in UP Diliman which was a donation drive for the first civilian mission.
"We are honored that we were tapped, and we were part of this advocacy. Being an educational theater company, mahalaga may concrete participation ang artists katulad namin," Lee said.
(It is important that artists have concrete participation in events like this.)
"Bilang PETA, hindi lang kami gumagawa ng produksyon, hindi lang kami nagha-handle ng workshops, kailangan din ng creativity to handle a concert such as this," he added.
(We just don't create shows, we just don't handle workshops. We need creativity in handling a concert such as this.)
Preparing for the concert has been logistically challenging, according to Lee.
READ: Third civilian mission to bring 'peace and solidarity concert' in West Philippine Sea
Aside from the weather and location, it is also difficult to mount a concert in a moving sea vessel.
"Physical set-up was a challenge kasi on our way here, maulan, hindi kami pwede mag-set up habang ang barko is in motion. Tapos nung tumigil ang barko, umuulan naman," he said.
(Physical set-up was a challenge because on our way here, it's rainy. We cannot set up while the ship is in motion. And when the shipped dropped anchor, it rained.)
PETA said the selection of the performing artists was done in coordination with the Atin Ito Coalition, with the latter inviting the international artists for the concert.
THE ROLE OF ART IN GEOPOLITICS
But what exactly is the role of art in geopolitical tensions? Lee says art can be a tool for expression even in political issues.
"Sabi nga ni Noel Cabangon, music is a form of resistance, and the same time, music and arts can be a convergence to advocate certain issues that affect humanity," he said.
"Katulad ng usapin ng West Philippine Sea, isa itong usapin ng soberanya ng mga Pilipino. Mahalaga na dala-dala ng sining para i-advocate ang panawagan sa kapayapaan sa pamamagitan ng mga awit," he added.
(The issues in West Philippine Sea is an issue of sovereign rights. It's important that arts can be a vehicle in advocating the calls for peace, especially through music.)
Lee said the arts is not isolated from the rest of the world, and should not be viewed as mere entertainment.
"Gusto namin maging parte ang sining hindi lang pang entertainment kundi pati sa importanteng usapin tulad nito," Lee said.
(We wanted arts to to play a role, not just for entertainment but also for more pressing issues.)
"From the theater perspective, what we are saying is theater and arts are very much attuned to what is happening around the country and the world. Theater can bind us, our arts can unite us to have a peaceful coexistence within our archipelago and our region," he added.
Lee said the performing arts has the power to unite not just Filipinos but also the rest of the world.
"Gamitin natin ang ating sining para lumikha, para magkaroon ng mapayapang existence tayong bayan hindi lang Pilipinas," Lee said.
(We should use arts to create and have a peaceful existence.)
He also said it's their way of telling the fishermen and frontliners in the West Philippine Sea that they are not alone in the fight for our rights.
"Yung buong voyage, isang pagpapatunay lang, isang pagpapakita sa ating frontliners, fisherfolk, coast guard na hindi sila nag-iisa, meron silang kaalyado, kaagapay sa buong pagharap sa West PH Sea," Lee said.
(This entire voyage is proof to our frontliners, fisherfolk, and Coast Guard that they are not alone. They have allies in facing the issues on the West Philippine Sea.)
"Artists are in solidarity with that cause," he ended.
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