Classical music and budgeting: Is there hope? - Leonor Magtolis Briones
Leonor Magtolis Briones/abs-cbnNEWS.com | 11/03/2008 1:13 AM
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THE BUSINESS OF GOVERNANCE
Feedback from readers
I often get feedback from readers of my columns. Since the columns are circulated by various e-mail groups and websites, I receive responses from a wide range of readers - students and alumni, overseas Filipinos, civil society organizations, church people and people I don’t know personally.
A recent column which received many comments was my account of my trip to Europe. I recounted how chasing trams, buses and trains stirred up memories of my own penny-pinching time as a scholar in England. When I bumped into U.P. activist lawyer Marichu Lambino last week, she told me she enjoyed the light touch.
Jeck Reyes Cantos, Chief of Staff of Cong. Erin Tañada, was moved by my story about the dream of Philippine Ambassador to Germany Delia Albert for the Philippine government to purchase the building in Berlin where a half-starving, half-freezing Jose Rizal finished writing his immortal “Noli Me Tangere.” Surely, if the government can finance a Ph750 million brand new building for Congress, it can scrape up funds to acquire a meaningful historical site!
Is classical music dead?
This question was raised in the weekly magazine of a broadsheet. The writer was bewailing the lack of appreciation for classical music in Philippine contemporary culture. The taste for classical music is identified with the rich, the moneyed and the foreign community.
I don’t think so. Classical music is performed not only in theaters patronized by the “perfumed crowd.” One can thrill to classical music in two places where many Filipinos congregate: the universities and the churches. And one does not have to spend money.
Philippine universities faithfully continue the tradition of classical music. The different official singing groups of the University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo de Manila University and Silliman University offer awesome repertoire which can compete with the best in Europe
One does not have to pay thousands to watch world class performances from university choirs and cultural groups. The trick is to attend their free performances in the university campuses.
Many classical music pieces were originally composed for the church. In Protestant churches, music is an indispensable part of worship. Important church events are celebrated with choir festivals where one can listen to Beethoven, Mozart, Bach and Handel for free.
Recently, Fairview Christian Fellowship Church celebrated its anniversary with a festival featuring three choirs and two chamber music groups. Manila Concert Choir was conducted by Romulo Pizana. The crowd was awed by MCC’s rendition of great church anthems and Negro spirituals. On the other hand, Novo Conzertante conducted by Erwin Tan, stunned its listeners with difficult pieces usually sung in international choral competitions. The youngest MCC member, James Labung charmed the SRO audience as he conducted the Polytechnic University of the Philippines chorale. Mark Olivares, MCC accompanist, coordinated the event.
For as long as universities and churches exist, classical music will be here to stay!
Is there hope for legislative budget reforms?
Since August, the Filipino people have been subjected to the annual tiresome circus known as the budget process. As expected, scandals were brought to public attention and manipulations in the allocation process revealed.
Is there a need for legislative budget reforms, asked Cong. Teofisto “TG” Guingona III when he convened a Round Table Discussion last October 28 at the U.P. National College of Public Administration and Governance. The question elicited diverse answers from experts, government officials, academe and media.
TG cited recurring budget “vices”, including the gargantuan Ph 790.6 billion Special Purpose Funds which now constitute nearly 65% of the total annual budget. He quoted Cong. Edcel Lagman who labeled the SPFs as the President’s “beef barrel.” He also mentioned the practice of collecting revenues in advance, abuse in spending savings, the conduct of secret negotiations in the Bicameral Conference Committee and reenacted budgets.
Yes, answered Commissioner Juanito Espino Jr. of the Commission on Audit. He detailed budget malpractices and recommended solutions. Former Secretary Ben Diokno advised that electoral and political reforms need to be conducted along with budgetary reforms. Former NEDA Director General Philip Medalla cautioned that giving more power to Congress may not work since it is not trusted by the public.
Different solutions were suggested. Some of these require amendment of the budget law while others require more effective oversight on the part of Congress. The role of civil society organizations in assuring allocations for social development and exacting accountability was emphasized.
The next round table will examine the legal implications of the proposed reforms.
Will reforms have a chance, asks TG. To quote Arwen from “The Lord of the Rings,” “there is still hope.” As long as congressmen like him continue their quest, experts contribute expertise, civil society persists in its reform advocacy, and most important, the people insist on accountability, hope remains.