Why are Filipinos poor?

Why are Filipinos poor?

If you are an expatriate or a tourist visiting the Philippines, one question that comes to mind is this simplistic yet numbing question: Why are Filipinos poor?

Why do beggars abound? Why are Filipino families homeless? Why do Filipinos leave the country to work somewhere else around the world?

While most of us have challenged to arrive at infinite answers to this question, International Artist Roberto Lavidez utilizes his creative energy to address this. Although his art has always dealt with social issues, Lavidez was drawn to the quick yet tangible results that Gawad Kalinga (GK) has produced for the impoverished Filipinos. Taking with him his creative ideas and historical perspective, Lavidez immediately became a non-CFC volunteer to the GK cause.

Lavidez personally shares the same belief and principles that Frank Padilla, GK President, has expressed regarding the plight of the Filipinos and what needs to be done about our country. Like Padilla, he views GK as a concrete and long-term solution that directly addresses the issue of poverty in the Philippines.

As an artist who has traveled around the world through his art, Lavidez believes that his creative input can contribute in spreading the good works of Gawad Kalinga to non-Filipino Canadian communities. He is a historical muralist and has written for the theatre, television and film. His book, Remember Why, is the first book of poetry published in English by a Filipino Canadian and is now part of the National Gallery of Canada. He was quoted alongside with Gandhi, Luther King, Lincoln, Mandela, and other great men in Peace University’s Shocking Quotations. He is the Creative Director of ArtLab 201, an experimental multi-media production group that is currently based in Ancaster, Ontario.

Lavidez’s new series of art installation entitled “Why are Filipinos Poor?” will be part of the Wow na Wow GK Exhibit at Room 104 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Sunday, April 30th, starting at one in the afternoon. The whole Exhibit is an inspirational guided tour that will enlighten your mind and empower your being to be part of this continuing miracle that is GK.

(PRESS RELEASE)