Acel van Ommen

Last January 16, 2012, I was given the privilege to speak to some students in UP Los Banos for their UP ADS Symposium that aims to raise audience awareness on how OPM (Original Filipino Music) is used to address societal issues and in turn, mobilize people towards change and development.

Other speakers for that event includes MIKO PEPITO (rapper,songwriter, comedian and an officer in Dakila) who shared his advocacy using his music to promote nationalism o pagmamahal sa ating inang bayan.

FRANCIS MAGAT (bassist of Salindiwa, Sinosikat) shared about having a strong personal concept and that change should start in us.

VIN DANCEL (songwriter and frontman of the band Twisted Halo and Peryodiko; also a lawyer; staff in Pinoy Tuner) shared his advocacies in RepubLIKHA- non-profit organization that exists to empower the next generation through music. He is also an active member of Dakila, which I am also a part of..-Philippine Collective for Modern Heroism that inspires heroism and nobility of thought and action to effect social transformation by collectively providing creative avenues to awaken the individual, dismantle apathy and unleash their inner hero.

Vin also shared his passion to promote independent music throughPinoy Tuner. A venue in the web where Filipino artists can share their original music without the “politics” in the music industry that’s actually killing the creativity and the musicality of our Philippine Music Industry. (See my blog about this topic)

During my turn to speak, I was able to share how we, as songwriters have that power to communicate the issues in our society through our songs .Words are powerful and that it could change the emotion, mood and even a mindset of a person. Artists then should know that with power comes responsibility (Spiderman quote).

It is important that change should start in us. How can we rally people towards change, if we, ourselves need help. How can a blind man lead a blind man? We then should deal with our own hearts to get rid of our unforgiveness, anger, bitterness, greed and lust and be healed by the truth and power of God’s grace.

Then I shared my passion to help children in poor communities through Right Start (www.rightstart.ph)- a non-profit organization that desires to provide these children a right start in life through after-school programs which includes: personality dev’t., feeding/nutrition, play and rest,reading and writing, music and movement, art experiences and dance. Right Start also have outreach programs such as our HELP CDO rehabilitation and rebuilding program; Life Skills -wherein we teach mothers/parents nutrition, parenting, budgeting and livelihood.

There are so many permeating issues in our society today like poverty, corruption,hunger, illiteracy, environment,unemployment, greed, degradation of morality, disunity, colonial mentality,HIV etc.. Instead of blaming others, let us know look at ourselves and ask what we can do about it..and how can we help.

I believe, if we let that “change” starts in us, then we can affect our home/family, then our community, then the society then our nation…

Kaya natin ‘to with God’s grace at pag nag sama-sama tayo!