Pistang Tomas: Re-Igniting the Flame of Social Awareness in Filipino Cultures
It is quite ironic that while thousands of people are getting more access to connectivity—which supposedly aims to enable global awareness and connection—nowadays, the alienation of local cultures is also rapidly spreading. At the height of globalization, indigenous cultures struggle to emerge from the multiple structures of colonialism, and what's saddening is that they're further being demobilized in active engagement and degraded in the absence of their rights as a community.
With that, many institutions in the Philippines decided to move forward with purposeful initiatives that seek to re-ignite diversified cultures in the hopes of illuminating the once diminished flame of Filipino cultures.
The University of Santo Tomas allows the rekindling of flame in the activities of its community development organization and colleges.
From February 12-15, 2018 the UST-Simbahayan Community Development Office spearheaded the annual Pistang Tomas trade fair at the Quadricentennial Square near Dapitan area. It featured several products such as clothing, accessories, food, and even a few artifacts that seemed very well-crafted.
One of the products that immediately caught my attention was the advocacy bracelet from She W.O.R.K.S. (Women of Reliability, Knowledge, and Skills). It was made of beads with the colors of red, yellow, and green.
At first, I thought that its mission was only to empower women, but as soon as I conversed with the people who were manning the booth, a chill went down my spine the moment I realized that the women who made these bracelets were ones victims of human trafficking.
I still vividly remember the time when I accomplished a project on the statistics of sexual exploitation of children in the Philippines. It was horrifying truth to know that the Philippines landed on the top countries producing child pornography and that most of the underage victims came from broken homes. The facts showed not only the growing global concern that we need to address as Filipinos; it also manifested the culture of poor parenting and the detrimental effects it could bring to the youth.
As I searched through more details on the bracelet, I found out that the colors of the beads signified a traffic light which they used as a tool to promote awareness and ways to address the social issue.
To explain, the red bead connotes the message to stop human trafficking. It focused on definition which was said to possess three important elements: an act, a means, and a purpose of exploitation. The yellow bead, on the other hand, connotes the warning signs of human trafficking which allows people to determine which conditions we can consider as exploitation and to recognize the traumas that might follow. Lastly, the green bead connotes the final and most important message of all: Go and do something! Clear and apparent solutions were listed down in order to help a person address the problem head-on.
With that, I realized how meaningful a product can be when it is empowered by an advocacy. It was not only the packaging that can make people acknowledge and have the intention of purchasing a product—it was the resonating connection it made towards society, revealing and honest and vulnerable connection to everyone who witnesses it.
Following the advocacy bracelets were displays of intricate beadwork on the opposite site of the booth. Among the dense group of bonsai trees, bracelets, and toys was an over-sized keychain with the design of a minion from the well-known film, Despicable Me.
Of course, it is undeniable to say that any merchandise making a reference to prominent films and television characters can guarantee profit, but it was not the sole explanation of what the community in Parañaque City Jail Dormitory intended to do.
It turns out that when I asked the woman about the people who made the product, she informed me that all the displays have been intricately crafted by women who are still undergoing trial and are almost left behind. It was in listening to her inputs and sentiments that I was reminded of how problematic the government system is when it comes to slow and tedious processes in court decisions and filing cases.
Despite a drop of contempt, I still managed to look at the hopeful side of this cause. I knew that I needed to support it.
As I was about to browse through other products, an optimistic aura of my sister came into my mind, so I stopped. I thought about how perfect it was that I found this product in particular, because I knew that she loves and adores minion.
Surely, it wasn't fate that led me here, but I marveled at the thought of how some things just feel right when it happens.
During my last encounter, I noticed that food products was also the most visited area at Pistang Tomas. There were champorado, chocolate bars, vegetables, root crops, and other food items surrounding the vicinity. Consumable products make a hit whenever they are as long as there are people.
At that time, I was looking for snacks to eat since recess time just started, and I found the ever famous banana chips in clear plastic container, wrapped around with a purple ribbon with thin gold strips.
The thing with banana chips is that it's been a trend for a long time, but what it showcased in this fair is the symbol of fruitful labor from the Malolos Diocese Social Action Center, Inc.
They were selling food products including Spanish sardines, Atsarang Papaya, Dulce de Leche spread, peanut butter, and others for the Jubilee Sheltering Program in Plaridel, Bulacan. Beneficiaries included roughly 200 families whose homes are at high risk due to climate change.
Seeing that the church proactively participates in community building from their very own members, I find it vital that such initiatives should be promoted to all other communities as well regardless of religious affiliation.
In this regard, the Pistang Tomas allowed me to explore not only the culture but the social issues and conditions pervading the communities. It also made me realize how much their livelihood needs to be exposed to larger audiences where our fellow Filipinos will not only experience quality but also social awareness in the midst of international consumerism and culture degradation.
With that, many institutions in the Philippines decided to move forward with purposeful initiatives that seek to re-ignite diversified cultures in the hopes of illuminating the once diminished flame of Filipino cultures.
The University of Santo Tomas allows the rekindling of flame in the activities of its community development organization and colleges.
From February 12-15, 2018 the UST-Simbahayan Community Development Office spearheaded the annual Pistang Tomas trade fair at the Quadricentennial Square near Dapitan area. It featured several products such as clothing, accessories, food, and even a few artifacts that seemed very well-crafted.
One of the products that immediately caught my attention was the advocacy bracelet from She W.O.R.K.S. (Women of Reliability, Knowledge, and Skills). It was made of beads with the colors of red, yellow, and green.
I still vividly remember the time when I accomplished a project on the statistics of sexual exploitation of children in the Philippines. It was horrifying truth to know that the Philippines landed on the top countries producing child pornography and that most of the underage victims came from broken homes. The facts showed not only the growing global concern that we need to address as Filipinos; it also manifested the culture of poor parenting and the detrimental effects it could bring to the youth.
As I searched through more details on the bracelet, I found out that the colors of the beads signified a traffic light which they used as a tool to promote awareness and ways to address the social issue.
To explain, the red bead connotes the message to stop human trafficking. It focused on definition which was said to possess three important elements: an act, a means, and a purpose of exploitation. The yellow bead, on the other hand, connotes the warning signs of human trafficking which allows people to determine which conditions we can consider as exploitation and to recognize the traumas that might follow. Lastly, the green bead connotes the final and most important message of all: Go and do something! Clear and apparent solutions were listed down in order to help a person address the problem head-on.
With that, I realized how meaningful a product can be when it is empowered by an advocacy. It was not only the packaging that can make people acknowledge and have the intention of purchasing a product—it was the resonating connection it made towards society, revealing and honest and vulnerable connection to everyone who witnesses it.
Following the advocacy bracelets were displays of intricate beadwork on the opposite site of the booth. Among the dense group of bonsai trees, bracelets, and toys was an over-sized keychain with the design of a minion from the well-known film, Despicable Me.
Of course, it is undeniable to say that any merchandise making a reference to prominent films and television characters can guarantee profit, but it was not the sole explanation of what the community in Parañaque City Jail Dormitory intended to do.
It turns out that when I asked the woman about the people who made the product, she informed me that all the displays have been intricately crafted by women who are still undergoing trial and are almost left behind. It was in listening to her inputs and sentiments that I was reminded of how problematic the government system is when it comes to slow and tedious processes in court decisions and filing cases.
Despite a drop of contempt, I still managed to look at the hopeful side of this cause. I knew that I needed to support it.
As I was about to browse through other products, an optimistic aura of my sister came into my mind, so I stopped. I thought about how perfect it was that I found this product in particular, because I knew that she loves and adores minion.
Surely, it wasn't fate that led me here, but I marveled at the thought of how some things just feel right when it happens.
During my last encounter, I noticed that food products was also the most visited area at Pistang Tomas. There were champorado, chocolate bars, vegetables, root crops, and other food items surrounding the vicinity. Consumable products make a hit whenever they are as long as there are people.
At that time, I was looking for snacks to eat since recess time just started, and I found the ever famous banana chips in clear plastic container, wrapped around with a purple ribbon with thin gold strips.
The thing with banana chips is that it's been a trend for a long time, but what it showcased in this fair is the symbol of fruitful labor from the Malolos Diocese Social Action Center, Inc.
They were selling food products including Spanish sardines, Atsarang Papaya, Dulce de Leche spread, peanut butter, and others for the Jubilee Sheltering Program in Plaridel, Bulacan. Beneficiaries included roughly 200 families whose homes are at high risk due to climate change.
Seeing that the church proactively participates in community building from their very own members, I find it vital that such initiatives should be promoted to all other communities as well regardless of religious affiliation.
In this regard, the Pistang Tomas allowed me to explore not only the culture but the social issues and conditions pervading the communities. It also made me realize how much their livelihood needs to be exposed to larger audiences where our fellow Filipinos will not only experience quality but also social awareness in the midst of international consumerism and culture degradation.
Nakakatuwang mabasa na nakapokus ang iyong blog sa mas malalim na aspeto ng Pistang Tomas sa kamalayan ng mga Pilipino ngayon. Sa teknikal na na aspeto naman ay wala din naman akong masasabi. Ang pagkakabuo at pagkakasunod-sunod ng mga salita at ideya sa artikulong ito ay nakakamangha. Lubos na maayos at di burara ang pagkakalagay ng mga ideya. Ramdam ko rin kapag inilalarawan mo ang mga pangyayari. Para sa'kin ay tila ba nandun din ako pag nababasa ko ito dahil ang mga salitang ginamit ay may danas talaga. Nakakalungkot ding isipin na kahit na mas nagiging konektado na tayo dahil sa teknolohiya, mas napapaglayo pa pala tayo nito. Gusto ko ang lalim ng iyong sinulat. Lubos itong nakakamangha.
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