MikeLigalig.com

Written By Loy Palapos
Columnist, Bohol Sunday Post

Among the provinces all over the country, Bohol holds the distinction of zeroing in on tourism to spur economics growth. There is no way of separating tourism from arts, culture and heritage. The three constitute the biggest influence on tourism as an industry.

It is public knowledge that our churches and even houses have been robbed of priceless heritage possessions: ancient images of saints, icons, antiques, etc. There are also times when heritage buildings and edifices are obliterated. All for immediate cash and economic gains. Some months back I visited the Villa Escudero Museum, and I was amazed by its heritage collections; at the same time I wondered if some of them originated in Bohol. The Philadelphia Museum, which took me three days to explore, contained facades of churches, benches and varied church appliances and properties very similar to those in Bohol. The Batuan City Museum does not deny the fact that it houses several Boholano antiques.

Those other places I have been to convinced me that we have to protect and preserve our heritage.

Last December 10 and 12 there was a People's Referendum and Seminar Workshop on Bohol Arts and Cultural Heritage Code Development at the University of Bohol, which I attended. It concluded with the finalization of the Code for a final reading at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. This is a product of BACH (Bohol Arts and Cultural Heritage) Council, in coordination of the Center for Culture and Arts Development (CCAD).

In the said seminar I met a very knowledgeable and impressive speaker, Dr. Eric Babar Zerrudo (EBZ), the Director of MET Museum and GSIS Museum, and GSIS Vice President. He lectured on heritage and economy, and how both could be dove-tailed in the development of a City or Province.

LMP: Being an economist and a lover of arts and culture is quite a gap. What is your explanation on this regard?
EBZ: This is just one of the many dilemmas of the people who meet me. For most I am an economist, but it is also my passion to be concerned with heritage. I know it is a challenge to put together culture and economics, heritage and politics. But I find it challenging that I can be of service to both. But I don't find any gaps here. I can be of service to both worlds.

LMP: When did you start being inclined to culture and the arts considering, your love for economics?
EBZ: I think it's really through exposure. We often hear officials talking about heritage and culture. I became interested because as an economist, I think it's very easy to join the two together. Like the Bohol Arts and Cultural Heritage (BACH) which is a good example of putting arts and economics development together.

LMP: Which came first, your inclination towards economics or towards culture?
EBZ: Economics came earlier. It's only later that I realized my passion about humanities, of how you do things, of how you lead the people and how you deal with life eventually.

LMP: The way I look at it, you are a very well traveled man, how would you distinguish Philippine culture from the rest of the world?
EBZ: First and foremost, the Western approach to social development is so democratic. Very participatory. It is automatically assumed that they understand heritage. Here, you have to go back to the basics even though our heritage is not something to be given; we deal with it everyday.

LMP: There are times when people tend to be overly free in a democratic society, but if it's dictatorial, there would be a strict compliance and there's control. If you have your own way, what would you prefer, a democratic way in handling our heritage or the dictatorial way?
EBZ: For economists, the more effective way is the dictatorial way. But since we are a very democratic country, let us make people participate; let them have an ownership of our heritage, of our culture. But we also have to make sure that we have a set of leaders who know how to orchestrate all of these together.

LMP: Have you seen scenarios wherein the leaders are not culturally oriented? Would it not be like the blind leading the blind?
EBZ: There are cases like that in the Philippines, especially in towns where the heritage culture is visible. The town-people are aware of their resources, that's why they participate in its conservation. Unfortunately, the leaders don't have any idea how to get profit from it; that's why eventually everything is wasted.

LMP: Have you found the same scenario here in the province of Bohol?
EBZ: I tell you, Bohol is overly mature. You have reached a very high level in organizing and have so many seminars about the heritage of Bohol. You even have tours and publications. You only need a legislation to formalize and fortify these efforts.

LMP: In your experience with other provinces, how much success have they invested in their heritage?
EBZ: Bohol has gone so far already compared to the many provinces in the Philippines. The mere fact that you were able to manage your tourism industry successfully, plus the fact that you have separated your image from the laughing stock of the whole Visayas to something so respectable; that is already something good. More than anything, it's the organization, how mature you are as a cohesive community, that has been a big influence to do all of these.

LMP: Do you see something bright in the future for Bohol, as far as our heritage is concern?
EBZ: Yes. I think you already have so much in the open for the future, and this is something good because you are modeling yourself towards the world's heritage standards. This is something to be proud of globally. I have to congratulate Bohol for that.

LMP: How about the infusion of the foreign cultures. Is there no chance in having a Boholano culture alone for that matter?
EBZ: Even though there are foreigners coming here, it's more important for them to learn the culture of the Boholanos because they will soon regard it with respect and tolerance. But in terms of the destruction, in terms of the physical, that will only happen if you allow it to happen. If you will use your resources everyday, without giving it a chance to recuperate, then you will really tire it out. There must be a mechanism also, to rest everything.

LMP: There's a little controversy about the Baclayon road reconstruction, if you're going to asses the problem, then what is your comment?
EBZ: I think the Baclayon case is a traffic case. It is a community vigilance, community stewardship and effort, and let the government understand that this is a two-way cause. Consultations can do wonders, and you can come up with good solutions with these consultations. It's also a good model for others to follow.

LMP: Do you advise that each municipality should have its own guidelines?
EBZ: Definitely. The provincial code is a set of principles and philosophy, the implementation will differ in the different barangays and different towns. The international charters abroad are not very specific, but there is a very basic goal where beliefs and philosophies should be based.

LMP: There was a controversy regarding the Chocolate Hills. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan through the Chairman of the Committee on Tourism would like to have it. Now, the Municipal Government also would like to have it on its own. The private sector would also like to have it believing that privatization can develop it to the fullest potential. What can you say about privatization along this line?
EBZ: Privatization is good because there is a high level of competition, in that it evens the playing field of everyone and it elicits the best creativity. But I think there should be guidance by the public and the government because there should be parameters which expound the highest provincial interest. That is why if the private sectors will hold it they should be guided by the provincial interest.

LMP: We have an existing CCAD (Center for Culture and Arts Development.) There is also Bohol Arts and Cultural Heritage (BACH) Council. Although there are those who believe in the possibility of conflict between the two, I personally cannot see this negative side. Any comment on this?
EBZ: We just have to try to maximize the talents of both Councils. But I see the good balance. It's so ideal, in fact. Eventually I think that would be the decision of the governor. I think if the government is in your side, the organization will be okay.

LMP: How do you see the future of arts, culture and heritage in the province of Bohol?
EBZ: When you come here it's always a celebration of the interconnectivity of the arts, heritage and business working very closely. Your tourism will continue, and you were able to maximize and is very far ahead compared to the other provinces. I think what you need now is technology. It's allowing the younger generation to see heritage through technology.

Meeting Dr. Eric B. Zerrudo was an opportune time to discuss and be enlightened by the necessity for arts and culture to be a part of development. All those years, being exposed to varied cultural activities of the City and Province has made me identify some stumbling block, like convincing leaders to be involved in cultural activities. It has been my personal observation that there are officials whose main thrust in governance is defined by economic needs. For instance, when invited to participate in the Sandugo Streetdancing, one common retort (although not always clearly expressed) is; "Makaon ba na?" It has always been disheartening to hear the sarcastic remark.

This is not to blame leaders, for the immediate need of people is economic in nature. When I heard the lecture of Zerrudo I saw an angle of persuading skeptics that heritage and economics can go together.

How I wish all Mayors, all Legislators, all leaders of the province would hear the message of Dr. Zerrudo. Except for a few, the Mayors who were invited to the forum did not come. Instead they sent their representatives. This is not to condescend the representative's capability to relay the meat of Dr. Zerrudo's lecture to their superiors, but it should have been better if the said officials were there themselves for some interactions.

This corner is very optimistic things will change for the better. Although not in a flash.

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