Preserving the Essential 1

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

How many times have I read or heard this quote? It has even penetrated the annals of Ms. Universe quotables – thank you, Ruffa – that it’s somehow lost its sparkle, at least to me. Ulit-ulitin ang paggamit at magagasgas din.

Not until last week when I attended the IOFA’s conference did I get a much needed shot to regain and reaffirm my deep concern for arts and culture. Sounds trite, doesn’t it? But listening to the speakers – Mr. Tadayoshi Himeda (Japan) and Mr. Endo Suanda (Indonesia) – speak passionately yet firmly about the importance of preservation of (traditional) culture are certain to move jaded minds.

Mr. Suanda introduced the concept of an evolving culture – dynamic and multi-faceted. To him there is no such thing as pure culture, as everything is a happy mishmash from all sides and angles. To the nitpicking, unimaginative analyst, the discussion of culture is a big mess – as soon as one figures it out, it develops a figurative third limb that is fully functional as well and throws off any theories that were earlier made. So culture is better felt and experienced, rather than analyzed and understood – because sometimes culture has no reason -- at least to outsiders. He discussed this using an Indonesian community tradition of preparing a “1000-ingredient porridge”.

The 1000 ingredient porridge contained an amalgamation of fruits, spices, vegetables – the bounties of the land. I’m reminded of a college friend, who after every meal would mix all of our leftovers to create another “meal” – which we did not eat, of course, kasi tira tira naman yon. Ick. But this Indonesian porridge, with the consistency of Filipino kakanin, was made of choice ingredients, blessed and prepared lovingly by the whole community. This was prepared to signal the start of a new year – a thousand ingredients to symbolize a year of plenty, the final product of which was distributed to the community. Such a wonderful gesture.

Mr. Himeda, all 80-years old, but not moving like one, took to the stage and introduced briefly the work that he has done. He did not so much as go into the details of his filmmaking but rather told the audience of a very special Filipino word that he keeps close to his heart, “kapwa”. This term which means, “kindred, fellow-being, both, equally”, was one he picked up from his visit last year and found very meaningful and beautiful, as it means we’re all united, together – not that different from each other. He underlined the value of culture and preserving culture and sharing each other’s cultural traditions as a way of promoting universal understanding and peace.

You know how it is when sages talk? Like whatever it is that he is speaking is true? That’s what I experienced when listening to Mr. Himeda talk. His talk was very simple, yet very touching. He got the whole room singing lullabies when he mentioned that this was a basic way of transferring culture – from mother to child. My favorite part of his talk was when he cited the Japanese word, “hanasu”, which means “to speak”, and also “to let go, release.” He mentioned that whatever we say and do, we have to be aware that it comes out from the heart. Because only when we act and say what is in our hearts can we connect to a kapwa, a kindred soul.