Culture and charity

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Disasters and calamities are always a bane on society, primarily because of the damage that they bring to the locality and its residents. Even if one is just a bystander or a precarious observer to the events that will transpire after such disasters, one empathizes with the unfortunate victims.

Such is the scenario today in the aftermath of Typhoon Sendong, that drastically affected Dumaguete City and some parts of Negros Oriental. Up to this writing, government and private organizations have not faltered in their enthusiasm in distributing donations of relief goods.

It is in this setting that “Handulantaw” was staged yesterday at the Luce Auditorium of Silliman University, to celebrate 50 years of the cultural life on campus, It was a presentation to launch the year-long celebration with national and international artists coming to Dumaguete for shows starting in June 2012 until May 2013, as well as a form of experiencing gratitude to the Giver of all Talents, as their program indicated.

Considering the atmosphere prevailing, not only in Negros Oriental, but in other parts of the country ravaged by Typhoon Sendong, some sectors have commented on whether it was appropriate to stage such an event, with the promise of many other grand shows. Some people have said that while those affected are still beginning to pick up the pieces as a result of the tragedy, others seem to callously proceed with mundane things.

On the contrary, instead of moping over what has already happened, why do we not all get our acts together and make a difference by contributing our share to the alleviation of people’s sufferings? As the saying goes, it is too late to cry over spilled milk. It is not an act of nonchalance if we go on with things that have already been planned. It would be an act of imperviousness if we shrug our shoulders and turn a deaf ear to pleas of assistance.

Culture and charity, we have found, can go together.*