The Role of Artists and the Importance of Art

In the previous posts there were significantly relevant videos presented. Three have shown scenes from the Mel Gibson movie the Passion of the Christ in contrast with the scenes of modern day frat-related violence. Another was about the poor children of the slum areas of the Philippines joining Lord Jesus Christ in supper. These young souls, if left uncared for by an insensitive privileged class, could someday become the next wave of young warriors of warring gangs as depicted in the Filipino movie Tribu. Yet another video has shown the efforts initiated by Gawad Kalinga to help solve this problem along with the culture of violence among fraternities by allowing fratmen to immerse themselves and help the poor in the real-life situation in slum areas where grassroots-gangs usually thrive.

The first person to be gravely affected by tragedies befalling children is the mother. In one video the mother of Cris Mendez was seen grieving for the death of her son. Just like Blessed Mary and any mother for that matter who had seen the doom of their children as a result of all forms of life's excesses the mothers of the victims of frat violence experience deep sorrow and pain. A mother's tears paint the picture of the loss of a son and the long years of hardships endured since the baby was conceived in the womb to mold the child into a young adult..

It is my desire to present these recorded images from the past and present realities to knock on the hearts and conscience of violent fratmen and those who are content of doing nothing to help solve these problems. Some of them who are still locked in the continuing culture of violence, as presented by the I-Witness Documentaries series - Brod Is Thicker Than Water , (watch more related videos on the links provided on the right-hand side of this page) lamented about the sad effects of frat violence and hatred and expressed helplessness in their captivity to the kind of culture of hatred that they have inherited from their frat elders forcefully instilled into them during initiations and indoctrinations.

To me they, who are still captives of this evil part of their tradition, need to see the bigger picture of society to be able to desensitize themselves from their violent culture and open their hearts and minds to the spiritual, social and moral problems at hand and to help and work to find genuine solutions.

Movies and multi-media are vehicles for works of art. And artists have a role to play as expressed in the following quotes:

When power narrows the areas of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of his existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses. For art establishes the basic human truth which must serve as the touchstone of our judgment.-- John F. Kennedy

To the artist is sometimes granted a sudden, transient insight which serves in this matter for experience. A flash, and where previously the brain held a dead fact, the soul grasps a living truth! At moments we are all artists. -- Arnold Bennett

In a certain sense every creative person is a reformer, but this does not mean that he must be in his work a propagandist for good roads, shorter hours, and a low tariff. All these are excellent things, but they need not be the concern of the artist. -- Heywood Broun

The artist has one function--to affirm and glorify life. -- W. Edward Brown

The defining function of the artist is to cherish consciousness. -- Max Eastman

In the artist's recreation of the world we are enabled to see the world. -- John W. Gardner

Human life itself may be almost pure chaos, but the work of the artist is to take these handfuls of confusion and disparate things, things that seem to be irreconcilable, and put them together in a frame to give them some kind of shape and meaning. -- Katherine Anne Porter

The artist should be a seeing-eye dog for a myopic civilization. -- Jacob Getlar Smith

I am an artist. I am here to live out loud. -- Emile Zola

If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him. John F. Kennedy

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President John F. Kennedy: Remarks at Amherst College, October 26, 1963

The following is an excerpt from a speech given by President John F. Kennedy on October 26, 1963 at Amherst College in Massachusetts, in honor of the poet Robert Frost...

If sometimes our great artists have been the most critical of our society, it is because their sensitivity and their concern for justice, which must motivate any true artist, makes him aware that our Nation falls short of its highest potential. I see little of more importance to the future of our country and our civilization than full recognition of the place of the artist.

If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him. We must never forget that art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth. And as Mr. MacLeish once remarked of poets, there is nothing worse for our trade than to be in style. In free society art is not a weapon and it does not belong to the spheres of polemic and ideology. Artists are not engineers of the soul. It may be different elsewhere. But democratic society--in it, the highest duty of the writer, the composer, the artist is to remain true to himself and to let the chips fall where they may. In serving his vision of the truth, the artist best serves his nation. And the nation which disdains the mission of art invites the fate of Robert Frost's hired man, the fate of having "nothing to look backward to with pride, and nothing to look forward to with hope." Continue here....

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Additional thoughts...(in 2010)

The above quotes are from people whose beliefs vary. Spiritual beliefs and doctrines and the basis of each of these could affect people's mindsets that lead to their actions and therefore it is very important that they need to be discerned. People may try their brand of solving many of the worlds problems by utilizing art and art forms guided by man's philosophies yet all these will fall short if they remove the Source of True Wisdom from the scene and the reality of the sinful nature of man.

Artists must have deep discernment especially about spiritual matters. A true Christian who happens to be an artist must work under the guidance of the Almighty God the Father through the Holy Spirit and grow in the true Christian faith through time with the help of the real brothers and sisters in Christ who possess the gifts of the Holy Spirit especially, in this case, about spiritual discernment.

Since time immemorial artists and craftsmen used their talents not only in every day matters but also in practices involving religion. But in true Christianity deep discernment is very important in obedience of the 2nd Commandment , a very important teaching in the Holy Bible supported by the many verses warning against the sins of idolatry.

As an example, I mentioned the movie the Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson in my articles here just to drive my point regarding the sacrifice and death of Jesus Christ for our redemption and the extreme difficulties he went through for our sake in stark contrast to the fraternity culture of hazing and violence (as a means to assure the loyalty of would-be members to their brotherhood). The movie the Passion of the Christ showed too much torture and blood yet this portrayal is just to show, in my opinion, that Lord Jesus Christ's sufferings, the torture he went through, his death and resurrection have the holy reward waiting in the Eternal Kingdom while the frat culture of violence of all forms have nothing holy and life in eternal happiness, peace and contentment to promise.

Yet, in my journey in deeply discerning this importance of art and the role of artists I did deep research regarding the evangelical Bible-based Christian faith and have came across the following writings:

1. The Poison in the Passion by Terry Watkins
2. Problems With The Passion of The Christ
3. The Passion of the Christ — a Film by Mel Gibson
4. Mel Gibson’s Film: THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
5.The Passion of Christ: Mel Gibson's Vivid Deception

In much deeper analysis, the practice of idolatry and the deceptive means by which doctrines of men are promoted to mislead the multitude of people to deviate from true Biblical teachings that would eventually lead them into the sins of idolatry inevitably spawn spiritual blindness the product of which are all forms of iniquity and confusion about right and wrong including, in this case, the fraternity culture of violence.

It is therefore very important to view the current problem of society (in my country the Philippines) regarding fraternity culture of violence in the light of the Holy Bible as the real source of Wisdom and Truth that will effectively and genuinely set the captives free. It is therefore necessary for young people to give time and study the Holy Bible seriously and deeply and, with the guidance of the Almighty God the Father with His grace, discern all things.


"31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
http://kingjbible.com/john/8.htm

"4And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God."
http://kingjbible.com/luke/4-1.htm

"28For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.

29O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!"
http://kingjbible.com/deuteronomy/32-1.htm

104Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
Psalm 119:104

10A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
Proverbs 17:10

TRIBU goes to Baguio City!!!

The Man behind the Table of Hope

Hapag ng Pag-asa Exhibit

Sa Kambas ng Lipunan - In Society's Canvas

CNN News Story on Glenbrook North Hazing

The Reason - Hoobastank - Passion Of The Christ

Psalm 103:8-17 says, “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children.”

THE RIGHT SACRIFICE ( passion of the christ )

Gang War - Bloods VS Crips

So what's the difference between these men and the fratmen of UP?

THE RIGHT SACRIFICE (Passion of the Christ- In Christ Alone)

NO MATTER HOW GOOD AND NOBLE ARE THE INTENTIONS OF FRATERNITIES THEIR VIOLENT FRUITS AND THE TRAIL OF DEATHS ONLY SHOW THAT THEY ARE FIGHTING THE WRONG BATTLE IN THE WRONG BATTLEFIELD. THEY HAVE FORGOTTEN THAT LIFE IS A STRUGGLE WHEREIN UNSEEN SPIRITUAL FORCES THAT ARE LEGIONS BELONGING TO THE EVIL ONE, ARE CONSTANTLY AT WAR WITH GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY'S ANGELS FOR THE SOULS OF MEN.

NOT UNLESS THESE MEN WILL WAKE UP AND STRIVE FOR SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT THE SENSELESS DEATHS AND STUPID WARS WILL CONTINUE AND WILL END IN A LOOSE-LOOSE SITUATION.

UP FratWar

Actual hazing caught on video(Is it APO) XxX

I-Witness Documentaries - Brod Is Thicker Than Water - 3

I-Witness Documentaries - Brod Is Thicker Than Water - 2

I-Witness Documentaries - Brod Is Thicker Than Water - 1

GOOD WORKS OKAY BUT...

It is okay to admire fraternities that have worked to make positive contributions to society. Civic and charitable groups have done that. What is abhorrent is the cycle and culture of violence as a result of bitter competitions between frats caused by and/or resulting in hatred, envy and jealousy. This culture starts from violent hazings and indoctrinations. And that is what fraternities must be concerned about and work to totally eradicate.

The good works of one frat could be the object of envy and hatred by the other and so the cycle of violence continues especially when these groups have bitter and bloody rivalry or fight for supremacy all these years. A lesson from what happened to Cain and Abel has to be reflected upon here.

I have seen quite a number of these efforts of frats to have positive projects in the past while I was still in UP Diliman. Sad to say, what destroys their good image is the shallowness of their purpose because if these good deeds were only done to make the group look good to entice more prospective recruits to join without totally forgetting all past conflicts and hatred or forgiving their enemies, then all these good works will be for nothing and thus likened to a dream castle built on sand.

One cannot be proud to proclaim to the whole world of having done good to others while the families of their victims and enemies continue to grieve especially with the thought that the culture of violence wasn't successfully eradicated all these years. The deaths, as recorded in UP and elsewhere especially in Mandaue City, could attest to that. And this is not a dirt to be swept under the carpet while guests come to party and celebrate the good deeds.

What fratmen must do is to go back to the basics of their faith, especially Christians, because it is written that we have to forgive and love our enemies.

There is hope. There is faith. There is love.

The question is, can a Christian fratman, for example, allow his frat brothers to attack, maim and kill fellow Christians belonging to a rival frat just because he has sworn allegiance and loyalty to his fraternity? Can a true Christian and believer in God the Father Almighty allow himself to be part of these groups that sow terror in and out of school and university campuses?

Shallow cosmetics will surely fade one day and reveal the rottenness inside if these groups will just be concerned about what will make them look good from the outside without working for real, genuine change...especially if they forget the statutes of God the Father Almighty.

If fraternities, because they are so organized, disciplined and have common noble principles to serve God Almighty, country, family and fraternity, were successful in policing their ranks and living-up to their ideals, then our country will have a lot lesser criminality, corruption and all forms of moral decay and most especially less spiritual blindness. They must also understand that fratmen belonging to other frats are their countrymen too belonging to the same faith and to whom they pledged to serve.

If the prerequisites of joining these groups could be elevated from merely barbaric and violent means of gaining a person's loyalty to living up to the requirements of a true believer in God the Father Almighty then there is no need of physical hazing or initiation. Instead, the fratman must become a lifetime neophyte in the spiritual and moral gauntlet that is life and fighting to endure till the end against all forms of evils such as corruption, drug addiction, immorality, bigotry, adultery, etc., etc., etc. as a true believer in God the Almighty Father.

It is written "spare the rod and spoil the child." The Holy Scriptures is full of lessons to be had for parents to mold their sons into better men of God the Almighty Father. Therefore there is no need for a paddle to spoil the man!

With the ongoing and sometimes dormant bloody conflicts between frats, there seems to be no sign of a way out of this mess. But it is written, "God the Father Almighty will make a way when there seems to be no way" And to find the way is to...

SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.

THE (WILLING?) GLADIATORS

Inspired by no less than the famous Juan Luna I opted to use part of his award winning painting the SPOLIARIUM in this piece of art THE WRONG SACRIFICE to leave a significant imprint of our famous countryman's struggle into the minds of viewers and to drive a strong point by drawing their attention, especially my countrymen, on two things:

First is, Juan Luna, as an artist, intellectual and patriot, made an effort during his time to show what Filipinos can do in the Western culture-dominated age and region of the world. By using his talent and by winning prestigious awards he was able to raise the status of his countrymen from mere subjects of Spain at that time to equals in terms of human capabilities and intellect. His was not only a struggle for independence but for excellence as well.

In The Art of Juan Luna, Eric Torres wrote:

In Rome , Luna imbibed the classical spirit of Michelangelo and Raphael and worked hard---for eight months---on an immense canvas which measure roughly 4 x 7 meters. The painting, which now hangs in the hall of Flags, Department of Foreign Affairs, a gift from the Spanish government in 1958, is the Spoliarium. This was to be his entity at the Madrid Exposition of 1884.

It was an immediate sensation. It won not only the highest possible honor, the first of three Gold Medals, but also enthusiastic notice in the newspaper columns of Madrid, Barcelona, and Paris. Many of the notices were extravagant raves. Here is a sampling taken at random:

"The largest work, the most frightful, the most discussed work of the Exposition."
"It is more than a painting, it is a book, a poem."
"It is something more than the mere mechanism of genius, of the art composition. . . Luna is a thinker."

"The superior qualities of Luna are: as an artist, his ambition to produce great designs; to subdue the multitude with the resources of the highest class in art; serious and rough, not with vile adulations from the pencil nor of color in beautiful lines; as a painter, his energetic style, broad and noble, truthful and on occasion fantastic."

"A giant of art, a kind of Hercules, that enters furiously leveling down all the gods with blows from his club, bringing in a new art, full of ideas and forms, carrying a Spartan soul and the brush of Michelangelo.
More than sixty years did Michelangelo study!
How many years did Luna study? Six! Let us wait."

Such adulation is a bit lavish, you say. But his was heady wine to the Filipinos in Europe.

Second is, more than a hundred and twenty years after Juan Luna painted the SPOLIARIUM as a statement against human rights abuses of the ancient times, his countrymen seems to be doing a lot of abhorrent things to their fellow Filipinos today that only the heartless citizens of ancient times could have done to helpless gladiators as objects of entertainment and spectacle.

By borrowing the images of gladiators in the painting the SPOLIARIUM, I wanted to highlight the ongoing senseless killings victimizing a number of people since the concept of frat brotherhood borrowed from the West was introduced here in the Philippines. And to think that these young men are students and promising leaders and would-be professionals of our country makes one feel sorry to the wasted lives. These talented, young people who are luckily standing above the rest by the privilege of having education in the country's premier universities die as victims in senseless frat conflicts.

Torres further wrote:

No wonder the Filipino community in Madrid went wild with joy. The double victory called for a celebration, and a banquet was held at the Café Inglés, to which were invited some European friends. On this occasion, Rizal delivered his speech extolling the two winners to such majestic heights that today it is difficult to criticize the works of Luna and Hidalgo without inviting the censure of conservative admirers of their kind of painting. Rizal interpreted the Spoliarium as a symbol of "our social, moral, and political life: humanity unredeemed, reason and aspiration in open fight with prejudice, fanaticism, and injustice."


On another occasion, Lopez-Jaena likewise read political implications in the Spoliarium, as follows: "For me, if there is something grand, something sublime, in the Spoliarium, it is because behind the canvas, behind the painted figures . . . there floats the living image of the Filipino people sighing its misfortune. Because. . . the Philippines is nothing more than a real Spoliarium with all its horrors."

Indeed, by what violent fratmen were doing all these years, "the Philippines is nothing more than a real Spoliarium with all its horrors."

Now the question remains... with the sick concept of brotherhood (as evidenced by violent hazings and rumbles resulting in deaths of fratmen and civilians or even policemen) borrowed from the West how many promising Lunas, Hidalgos or even Rizals, Mabinis and Bonifacios have died in those students that fell victims of frat violence?

The difference between those real gladiators depicted in Juan Luna's painting and the fratmen of today is that the former were helpless slaves fighting to the death to quench the thirst of the mob for bloodbath whereas the fratmen of today are willing warriors under oath to their brotherhood but sadly "enslaved" by the culture of violence to preserve the kind of questionable brotherhood that they have. Worst, they died in the time when the country is experiencing freedom and democracy and with all the moral and spiritual guidance of Christianity and Islam.

Questionable it is because, despite their noble intentions and the goodness of all their ideals and principles, they seem to have clearly deviated away from these moral and spiritual guidelines to police their ranks and weed out all those excesses what with the trail of rotten and bloody fruits that they have produced. In fact, with their constitutions surely espousing love for God, for country, and for family and fraternity there should have been full control over their wayward brods that start trouble especially because other fratmen are their countrymen too of which they are being trained and initiated to serve.

After the establishment of the first fraternity in the Philippines at the University of the Philippines there now exists a list of frat-related deaths. It is also very alarming that from 1990 to the year 2000 alone there were a total of 6 deaths in UP. With UP as the role model of other universities to which chapters of these fraternities were gradually established through the years and have inspired the formation of new Greek-lettered groups, there also exists a likewise alarming bloody trail of frat-related violence. The recent clashes in Mandaue City since January 2007 alone saw the death toll from frat-related violence to be rising, prompting this place to be called the frat war city.


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"Like a common malady, violence reaches into all cracks and fissures of society. Our families are torn or destroyed by violence. Fear of violence is paralyzing our communities, and the celebration of violence in much of the music and videogame industry is poisoning the hearts and minds of our children. Almost invariably, when the causes of violence are being discussed, one group blames the other: the federal government focuses blame for violence on the entertainment industry; the media shifts the blame onto the consumers; teachers and many members of the clergy try to hold parents responsible for the proclivity for violence among their children."

- Countering A "Culture Of Violence." Can It Be Done? by Viktoria Hertling

Read more:
The Art of Juan Luna by Eric Torres
The Debate About the Origins of Gladiatorial Games by Titus Pullo Lupus
Children, Adolescents, and Media Violence: A Critical Look at the Research by Steven J. Kirsh
Gladiators: Heroes of the Roman Amphitheatre by Professor Kathleen Coleman
Roman Gladiatorial Games, Roger Dunkle author of site
Spectacles of Death in Ancient Rome by Donald G. Kyle

Confronting a Culture of Violence, U. S. Bishops' Pastoral (Nov. 1994)