PROUD TO BE PINOY (or this case, PINAY)
Once in a while, rays of light break
through the darkness. Good news that trickles in to inspire
and encourage us thankfully push aside the usual stories
of corruption, ineffiency, and an economy under siege. This
December, JobsDB presents two Filipinos who have shown us
that we can be --- to use that often-quoted word ---- “world-class.”
Our
Celebrity Profile showcases the first Filipina to capture
the Ms. International Crown in two decades.
This Special Section highlights our
second profile: Jed Madela, the hometown boy of Iloilo who
was catapulted into the international limelight by winning
the Grand Champion in the 2005 World Championships of the
Performing Arts in Hollywood last August; along with Filipina
friend and colleague Rizza Navales, he bested 3,000 talents
from 51 countries, proving that Pinoys can more than hold
their own in the global arena. |
The world today is full of hardships and trials, especially in the Philippines. We are a people that have deep roots in “utang na loob” and ”pakikisama.” It is from these principles that the group, Princessbato sprung from. The PrincessBato Group is an events company composed of like-minded individuals concerned about the betterment of the Filipino people. They believe that the best medium of self-expression is through the arts of which the Filipino is renowned for worldwide. The main goal is to promote unity and charity and this they intend to achieve by showcasing the Filipino’s talents, be it through literature, music and visual or performing arts among others.
Several years ago, during their high school to be exact, two of the members of the company were part of a band, which was named Princess Bato. They were an all-girl band who enjoyed creating music, and who along with their contemporaries, were just “trying to say what they meant and almost always meant what they said.” Because of certain social restrictions, they often had to rely on innovation in their ideas. Hence, they played rock and roll, breaking the glass ceiling in their own way. Today, this manner of thinking still applies. Due to the history and the common goal that to this day they share, the band has become The Princess Bato Group.
The Princess Bato Group has a mission and a vision. According to Ms. Cesca Ayala, a board member of the group, “What makes us unique is not only because of the fact that we represent a younger generation, but already we are taking our own initiative to make a difference. All of us specialize in very different fields yet nonetheless are able to combine our talents to support a greater cause.”
Today, there are more pressing issues that plague the world, just as the members of this ‘band’ expanded, though they are not playing the same instruments anymore. The instruments being used now are based on the idea of unity and putting the Filipino first, with the hopeful eventuality of giving our people back their self-respect. This is not a fanatic group by any means and it takes into account the globalization phenomenon but they also realize that to be able to fully participate, they must first be able to stand on our own. This will enable us, the Filipino, to contribute in the direction that world is heading towards, unity.
Their dream is to be able to help their fellow countrymen and women in their striving for survival, to be heard. Their dream is to help those who are in need of help whether they know it or not. They intend to do this by showcasing the talents of the Pinoy in the arts, through literature, music and visual and performing arts, among others. They also aim to aid undiscovered talent by promoting amateur and “indie” bands while at the same time showcasing the talents of more established musical acts through an arts management arm of the group, Princess Batugan. This arm of the group concentrates on productions as well as manages five bands, hoping to let others be heard.
To pursue this course of action, they have now made another arm to the organization called SIKAT, which stands for “Samahang Itinatag Ng Kababaihang Aktibo at Tapat,” which is now in the process of putting on a festival in partnership with International Women’s Museum (www.imow.org) on the 31st of March in the Baywalk of Manila to celebrate the month of Women. There will be many acts showing up, hosted by Ms. Shereen Saiyed, Ms. Amanda Griffin and Ms.Chinggay Andrada, as well as acts ranging from Imago to Aiza Seguerra. There will also be a fashion show by the likes of Kate Torralba, the I Love You Store as well as Lulu Castengette. There will be poetry readings by Ms. Kooky Tuason and other renowned writers. The proceeds of this event will go to the Correctional Institute for Women, with the cooperation of the Department of Justice.
The Princess Bato Group are not out for fame of fortune, they are just out to help the fellow man. Though some may say that this may be the wrong time to push for art and trivial things such as poetry, they believe that this may be the best time to push it forward, this time of hardship, to give a bit of respite and hopefully to inspire the already tired ears and eyes of the Filipino, just for a short break from the toil. May they be successful in this endeavor.
[The Princess Bato Group will hold an event celebrating the Filipino on March 31, 3 p.m. – 3 a.m., at the Baywalk Manila.]
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