By Joel B. Belinan
On November 26, 27, and 28, the 18th Maharlika Sunrise Festival will be held at the Maharlika Paradise in Sitio Kayrupa, Barangay San Rafael, at Rodriguez, Rizal. Already in its 18th year, this festival is one of its kind, a roving one moving from place to place. We had it here during its 4th staging in 2008 at the Burnham Park skating rink as the main venue with the Baguio Museum as the exhibition and opening program area. Last year we went into a virtual or online fest. We are elated that it will be an actual physical event this year. Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Deo Palma who coordinated things and made everything possible. We are also very thankful for the permission of the Local Government of Rodrigues, Rizal and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) which administers the protected area where the venue would be.
Themed Stuck In the Woods, the 18th Maharlika Sunrise Festival would not just be a gathering of artists from all over the country but would be an eco-camp at the same time. Obviously, in such an outdoor setting, the fest was designed to ensure that the minimum health protocol are going to be observed as the Covid-19 is still in our midst. It would be three days of ecology, music, and art festivities where the following shall be strictly observed: no waste no drugs, no alcohol, no smoking, and only vegan food for all participants in the camp or festival area.
Why am I very bullish about this festival? The Maharlika Sunrise Festival is a baby of the Maharlika Artists and Writers Federation, the arts and writers wing of the Ang Kaptipunan ng mga Samahang Maharlika (AKSM). AKSM is a federation of regional movements espousing the Progressive Utilization Theory (PROUT) and the Neo-Humanist Ideology. I happen to be the AKSM president at present. Unfortunately, due to unavoidable circumstances, I will not be attending the very important event. Thankfully, our vice president for Internal Affairs, Mr. Terry Flores who resides in Makati will be there to take my part in the formal program.
***
The election fever is getting hotter even six months before the actual event. Restrictions are slowly being eased giving some hope to the majority of us. Indeed, we are at a crossroad.
We now have a clearer view of the actors and actresses of the country’s biggest circus next year, the local and national elections. Yes as pundits in this country have been saying, Filipinos’ favorite pastime remains to be politics. Never mind that it’s a common thing to hear people saying how they despised politics but what comes out of those people’s mouths are not necessarily what they do in real life. It’s during this political season that one realizes why this country remains to lag behind our neighbors.
A big number of us have been keenly watching what would happen on or before Nov. 15, the deadline for candidates’ substitution set by the Commission on Election. What everyone was waiting for was the final list of the candidates for president and vice president. While the official list is not yet final, the drama and suspense as to what position would the presidential daughter would go for is finally over. She threw her hat into the vice presidential ring and not for presidency as what the DDS and her supporters wanted. Bongbong Marcos is the biggest beneficiary of the move.
Marcos continues to lead in the surveys for the presidency with Isko Moreno and Leni Robredo competing for the second spot. On the other hand, Sen. Many Pacquiao apart from his controversial cash distribution to the people attending his sorties in Baguio and Benguet has been silent. This reinforces the talk of his possible withdrawal from the race.
Also, the camp of Sen. Lacson and Sen. Sotto has been very quiet these days.
Interestingly, the drama in the national level seems to have overshadowed the local political scene. Even those who filed their certificates of candidacy for local positions have been quiet. Baguio and Benguet have been like this ever since, which is good, except for that big spender whose name is new in Benguet. As a political analyst said, this election would be a test on what kind of voters in this province have become.
One thing is sure, those who will win the election next year (at least the national candidates) will either lead this country to a post-pandemic recovery or will just continue “the big covid-19 business.”
In less than two months, the World will mark the start of the third year of this pandemic. While our country is a little behind in the supposed solution, top officials of the Covid Task Force are confident that the vaccination of at least 70% of our people will be attained by the end of the year. Allegedly, there are millions of vaccines now ready for disposal. It’s just a matter of agencies and local governments having to speed up their vaccination efforts.
With this development, we are hoping and crossing our fingers that the economy will slowly recover.**
