The spirit of bayanihan flows
through our lives everyday. But nowhere was it more apparent than recently at
Fort Santiago, where a unique event sought to demonstrate what this distinctly
local custom truly means to Filipinos today.
“Mahal Kita, Future Bayan!” is an
initiative by led Museong Pambata, which seeks to inspire younger generations
through its powerful visual representation of unity and growth. And in true bayanihan spirit, LBC joined others to
showcase how the salient characteristics of this value will continue to drive
the country forward.
“The values of nationalism, volunteerism, cooperation, community…all these
are values that drive LBC’s growth and inspires us to keep moving forward,”
begins Santiago G. Araneta, Chief Executive Officer of LBC. “We have long
searched for partners and initiatives that share the same principles as a way
to contribute to nation-building, progress, and economic vitality. And through
this event, we were fortunate enough to have been given an opportunity to shine
the spotlight on a symbolic initiative that will hopefully resonate with
Filipinos on a wider scale.”
The event’s vibe was reminiscent of the traditional Filipino fiesta, with
volunteers busy entertaining kids from neighboring barangays who joined the
festivities. At the center of it all is the Bayanihan
Hopping Spirit House. And despite the scorching heat, everyone was in high
spirits as they prepared to embark on house’s symbolic journey.
The installation, brought to life by renowned artist AlwinReamillo, was
originally conceptualized it as a symbol of the Filipino diaspora when it was
first mounted in Sydney. However, given the traveling nature of the piece, its
meaning, Reamillo notes, has since evolved. Now on it’s fifth “hop”, the artist
explains that - “It’s actually about connecting; going back to bayan—to the nation, to the community, and being a hero for others.
These are what we hope the public gains from this.”
It’s not surprising that the installation can be interpreted based on its
varying contexts. Art is after all, subjective. But Reamillo admits this
particular hop—from Fort Santiago to its permanent spot in MuseoPambata—holds
more significance. Not only is it drawing attention to the importance of
community involvement in this day age, it’s also symbolic of the bayanihan concept finally coming home.
“There’s no doubt that values like bayanihan
can contribute to a nation’s sense of hope about the future. And for a company
like ours, like LBC, who finds joy in moving, it’s important to note that it’s
never just about moving packages. It’s about moving hearts and inspiring people
to believe that coming together is what this nation needs
to continuously move forward amid challenges,” ends Araneta.