To provide various alternative and practical ways of
everyday living and confronting realities, Sining Kalikasan Aklasan (Art
Ecology Resistance) was composed of
autonomous organizations, collectives and individuals in 2014 in the archipelago/ Philippines. SKA is a peaceful and creative
resistance geared towards initiatives of different places in the islands and
even the world.
Sining Kalikasan Aklasan (Art Ecology Resistance) updated Concept Paper
Every single day, an average Filipino pays as much as 12
percent. If an individual spends P200 everyday for food, transportation,
clothing, rental and other essentials within a year, s/he remits P9,000 in
taxes. The said amount is withstanding what one contributes to income tax. No
one is exempted or spared. The mere act of buying banana-cue or taking the
jeepney to the next stop means accumulation of taxes. Even an unborn child
automatically incurs debts payable in the future. Not the state or even the
market cared to ask if anyone is amenable or not.
The question is, where does all this sum goes? This is
precisely the obligation of the head of state, to provide a plausible
explanation during the State of the Nation Address.
Despite of steadfast tax cuts in favor of the state, it is
becoming apparent that it fails to provide a sustainable, ecological and sound
living in the archipelago. The state
goes on to sell the natural assets to corporations. Nevertheless, the
Philippines is second to none in terms of the most expensive electricity and
internet rates in the region. Adding to the insult, the public transportation
is at its worst. Risks are at all time high for common folks in the rural areas
even in urban settings, rendering them helpless in times of disasters. Public
service are still at snail’s pace as if we owe it to them. The culture of
accommodation and bribery is thriving, well and alive. The long hands of the
law only reaches the poor. You have to pay up just to make sense of the law.
It seems that the state and corporations have a monopoly of
all “services.” As being demonstrated in the mainstream media, we already have
a rosy picture of what is to be considered as a “good life” and what is far
from that. EDSA is cluttered by billboards, television ads, pop ups and radio
plugs. The latent message is to consume ourselves to death as if there is no
tomorrow is the norm. becoming critical
and creative is being threatened in work or even earlier in life at schools.
Those who think otherwise, who see the ”other view” are demonized as rebels,
activists, enemies of “democracy” and worst of all: obsolete.
To provide various alternative and practical ways of
everyday living and confronting realities, Sining Kalikasan Aklasan (Art
Ecology Resistance) was composed of
autonomous organizations, collectives and individuals during the previous SONA
in 2014. SKA is a peaceful and creative
resistance geared towards initiatives of different places in the islands and
even the world. While this is primarily an initiative, it is not dependent on
charity or aid from the state or corporations. Throughout the duration of SKA,
everyone is free to participate and conduct skills sharing to be applied to everyday
setting and situations. Some of the initiatives we could expect on SKA: urban
farming, herbal healing, Solar Power set-up, permaculture, do-it-yourself
publishing and many more. There would be a mass-feeding, free-reading of books
and free-market (really, really free market) where anyone could get and share
any items that one does not use anymore but could still be utilized by others.
In between, there would be poetry readings, music and sound performance, free
dancing and live-painting. All is invited to participate and contribute any
skill or talent, an open skills-sharing event which does not discriminate
anyone. Everybody is welcome.
Everyone is encouraged to participate during the second year
of the said event on July 27, 2015 at the Quezon Memorial Circle, corner of
Kalayaan Ave. the program runs from 7am to 5pm. Everybody is also enjoined to
bring your utensils for the potluck to minimize trash.
Let’s begin and sustain the spirit of sharing by inviting
others about his event and through word of mouth to our friends, kins,
workmates, and practically to all who would be interested with this egalitarian
event we refer to as Sining Kalikasan Aklasan (Art Ecology Resistance).
Many thanks and all the best for letting us share this idea
with you.
From the good folks of SKA Network
Philippine Archipelago
July 2015
