C O N U N D R U M

NICKIE WANG/ MANILA STANDARD TODAY

Artists—like musicians, painters, sculptors, dancers, writers, actors, production people, weavers, builders, and creators of beauty—are known as cultural workers and arts managers. They are considered as one of the exponents of national identity for preserving traditional arts.

After every performance, artists receive standing ovation or at least an enthusiastic applause from the audience that can be equated to adoration and pride.

On stage, artists or performers look grand as if they live an outlandish lifestyle. People do not know that many artists, after receiving an overwhelming appreciation from the audience, would go home, find their ways in a congested traffic, cross a flooded street or perhaps find another gig to make both ends meet. Indeed, not all artists are well-off.

People have heard stories about artists who are now in impoverished condition. There are some depressing stories of artists who died broke and broken hearted. One particular reason why situations like these happen is because artists like cultural performers, dancers, actors, or musicians, once when they age, project offers become scarce.

When they work, they give all their selves out just to provide entertainment. Sometimes, out of their passion, they even work for free not thinking about themselves in the future. The work they do is of immeasurable value, and yet when they are faced with sickness or disability or other material and physical needs, they are generally left on their own to fend and provide for themselves.

“Did you know,” asked Fernando Josef, president of Artists Welfare Project Inc., “that before Lino Brocka passed away, he was totally broke? I don’t want to say his mother’s exact words but she was cursing him [Lino] for not even providing them a house considering he’s a famous director.”

Passing the hat

“I get emotional when I hear stories about artists who dedicate their life in providing entertainment but don’t have money to pay their expenses in the hospital. When we have friends in the industry that need assistance we just pass [the] hat, we collect money to help each other out, but most of us have shallow pockets,” Josef, a stage, screen and television actor and currently artistic director of Tanghalang Pilipino, shared.

In November 2006, Josef and his colleagues met and decided to form an organization that would extend assistance to artists in various fields. Thus, AWPI was born.

“In our first wave of collection we got P60,000, each of us contributed a thousand to have our organization registered,” the veteran actor revealed.

AWPI was formed to extend, provide or grant financial, legal, medical and hospitalization privileges or benefits or similar assistance, support and advice to Filipino artists who may be disabled or incapacitated by reason of age or physical or mental infirmity and are thus unable to earn, support or maintain his subsistence, health, and basic life needs.

Beyond meeting emergency needs, AWPI also hopes to assist artists achieve security in terms of having a place to live, providing education for their children, and having funds for their retirement.

“We must support and help our artists, especially during their times of need—for example, when they are sick, or when they need legal assistance. Artists usually are not practical or business-minded people; they don’t invest their money—most of the time they don’t have much money anyway—or have health or any kind of insurance. We at AWPI are trying to fill that gap,” Josef enthused.

AWPI is run by a 15-member board of trustees and currently has 182 members. Its immediate concern is to build up an endowment fund that will enable it to provide members with benefits such as medical and legal assistance, emergency loans, pension and death benefits, among others.

“We are here to introduce and to call on the attention of other artists who would be interested in joining or perhaps help the organization with its advocacies,” declared Edna Vida-Froilan, one of the board members of AWPI during a press lunch at the CCP Multipurpose Hall.

Projects and events

To build up its endowment fund, AWPI is undertaking various fund-raising activities in the coming months.

In June next year, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, the organization’s treasurer, will spearhead a production at the CCP with Ballet Manila. It is to be one of the biggest fund-raising events that the AWPI will hold in the future.

Coinciding with the General Assembly of the organization on Nov. 29, an Artists’ Tiangge will be opened at the shady lane between the Main CCP Building and the Production Design Center, CCP Complex.

The Artists’ Tiangge includes many artists whose one-of-a-kind products cannot be found at any other market in Manila. There will be over 40 different stalls showing and selling a rich variety of wares. From the new to the recycled, fine arts to folk art, jewelry to ceramics, sculpture to textiles, curios and collectibles, there will be something for almost every taste and budget. The Artists’ Tiangge also features street performers and a gourmet café.

For more information, contact Artists Welfare Program Inc. at telephone numbers 832-1125 locals 1606 to 07 or e-mail at drama_ccp@yahoo.com.