4 days Ago By Michelle Catap Lacson
"Siksik. Liglig. Umaaapaw.
" These words perfectly capture the overwhelming inspiration I felt after listening to the remarkable insights of Dr. Felipe De Leon Jr., or Doc Jun, former NCCA chairperson, and a champion of our core values of Kapwa (shared connection), Bayanihan (community spirit), and Kabutihang Loob (kindness from the heart).
His depth of knowledge and passion for Filipino culture left me in awe, making me realize just how rich and meaningful our heritage truly is. From the moment I started listening to his recorded lectures on Filipino core values, I was already captivated. His examples resonated deeply, shedding light on our beliefs, traditions, and way of life as Filipinos.
Listening to Doc Jun is more than just an intellectual experience—it is also a soothing one. His ability to incorporate music into his lectures, playing various instruments with ease, added a layer of emotional depth to his teachings. As he spoke, the chaos in my mind seemed to quiet down, allowing me to absorb his wisdom with a sense of peace and clarity.
His lectures were not just about facts; they were about feeling and understanding the essence of what it means to be Filipino. One of the most powerful lessons he shared was that the foundation of our national identity is rooted in the culture of pagpapakatao—the recognition of the "common good" and the commitment to serving others. He emphasized that all our core values, including unity, equality, and diversity, stem from this fundamental principle.
At the heart of our culture lies the concept of kapwa, the idea that we are all interconnected. This, he explained, should be the foundation of government service and leadership. However, despite this beautiful cultural foundation, Doc Jun also highlighted a harsh reality: the culture of pagpapakatao is often overshadowed by the "culture of power" and the "culture of wealth.
" Many of those in leadership positions prioritize personal gain over the well-being of the people, leading to corruption and inequality. He pointed out that the Philippines is not a poor country—it is simply being plundered by those in power, sustained by a system where the poor continuously vote for the very politicians who exploit them. This painful truth raises an important question: What can I do? What can we do to change this reality? For now, the answer is simple: Magpakatao at makipagkapwang-tao.
To embody the values of humanity and interconnectedness in our daily lives. If we begin with ourselves, fostering genuine care for others and upholding integrity in our own ways, we take the first steps toward change. I am deeply grateful for the wisdom and inspiration shared by Doc Jun.
His passion for our culture and his masterful way of presenting music and art during Cultural Night reminded me of the wealth we already possess as a people. May we continue to preserve and promote our rich heritage, not just in words, but in action..
