Last March 7, a few artists including Mae Paner (of Juana Change fame), Sockie Fernandez, Leah Navarro, Rody Vera, Raymond Lee and myself called on the artists’ sector to a meeting at Lasalle, Greenhills. We gathered about 50 of them and challenged them to be the catalysts to break the hold of apathy, cynicism and hopelessness that seems so entrenched in our country today. With major challenges like the 2010 elections on the horizon and a host of other big problems that grip us in fear, no one seems to be in the mood to dream, to move to action except the trapos who are lusting to seize power and control for their own ends.

It was quite encouraging to discover that so much concern and love for the Philippines resides among the artists who showed up. We dangled before them the exciting concept of a movement for hope and change that we wish to infect every sector with. If we want major changes to come, we must be able to get beyond just electing a new and better leader. Whoever the new leader will be, he/she can only institute changes amidst a climate of change everywhere.

We called the meeting the “Artists Revolution’” and we intend to have more of these to reach more people. Meanwhile, the attendees vowed to contribute time and output to help in espousing the inspiration of hope and change in their respective fields. As I write this, short films, songs, ringtones, concerts, iconic figures are being made and hopefully will get people to move out of apathy and create a climate conducive and supportive of change.

If you are interested in this, do write and send us your contact numbers and email so we can invite you to future meetings.

by Jim Paredes

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