Pasig River will soon serve as a hub for Filipino cultural identity and collective memory, through the joint efforts of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC), the Philippine Educational Theatre Association (PETA), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and various local governments.
The creative campaign dubbed “Taga-Alog Ilog Pasig: Balik Tanaw, Balik Sigla!” will present various projects that build on stories surrounding the river and the communities that surround it.
The Pasig River project is anchored on “the belief that these stories reflect traditions, history, culture, ways of life, livelihood, memories and identities.” The stories will be shared through traditional media and digital media.
PETA will hold workshops on songwriting, creative writing, visual arts, films/photography, dance, and theater.
Pasig River will also host arts competitions, and conduct cultural fairs, performances and exhibits.
Pasig River traverses cities in Metro Manila such as San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasig and Manila, and Marikina.
The project though won’t be limited to the six communities near Pasig River as it wants to “encourage everyone to go and see the value of preserving our collective memories and identities as Filipinos, and become themselves ambassadors who will continue sharing the stories,” according to the project brief.
Pasig River played an important role in the development of Metro Manila as well as neighboring areas in Luzon as it served as a major route during the pre- and Spanish era for transporting goods, people and in the process, culture, traditions and heritage.
