KARANGALAN Conference/Festival to Dispel Hopelessness Plaguing the Philippines

Thousands to Attend January 21-23, 2005 Event at the Cultural Center of the Philippines

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Nicanor Perlas
+63-2-687-1309, 687-1312, 687-7481 or 687-7482

Over two dozen globally and national renowned Filipino leaders, artists and achievers will speak and perform at the First National Conference and Festival on KARANGALAN, under the theme, “Mobilizing Excellence for Creating a Visionary Philippines”, to be held from 21-23 January 2005 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The speakers and artists will highlight the existence of and gather support for another, much better, more exciting Philippines emerging in our midst today. This is the Philippines of moral strength, courage, vision, initiative, compassion, integrity, honesty, political will, socially-oriented businesses, artistic competence, social entrepreneurship, achievement and excellence.

Over 5000 youth and women advocates, students and teachers, religious and educational leaders, cultural workers and artists, community and basic sector organizers, government professionals and officials, business executives and workers, are expected to attend the three day event. Over 30 organizations and networks are co-sponsoring the event.

“There is widespread despair and cynicism about the future of the Philippines. But there is hope, and lots of it, because we have what it takes to build a better country. Filipinos have received global and national recognition for accomplishments in many areas of life. And thousands more are doing extraordinary things around the country”, said Nicanor Perlas, Spokesperson and Executive Committee Member of Karangalan.

There is karangalan, honor, in this country. There is a depth and wide diversity of talents working for a better Philippines. We just have to acknowledge and build upon it to create the kind of Philippines that we dream of”, emphasized Perlas who won the 2003 Right Livelihood Award or Alternative Nobel Prize, UN Environmental Global 500 Award, and The Outstanding Filipino Award (TOFIL).

KARANGALAN organizers say that participants will see a glimpse of this other Philippines in the event itself and get to know more about the program details at www.truthforce.info.

The following speakers have confirmed their participation in Karangalan:

• Gerry Ablaza, Asia Business Leader Award and Asia CEO Choice 2004

• Emily Abrera, Chairperson, Cultural Center of the Philippines

• Walden Bello, Right Livelihood Award 2003 (Alternative Nobel Prize)

• Sheila Coronel, Ramon Magsaysay Award 2003 (Nobel Prize of Asia)

• Tony Tan Caktiong, World Entrepreneur of the Year, 2004

• Chin Chin Gutierrez, Time Magazine 2003 Asian Hero and TOWNS 2004

• Von Hernandez, Goldman Environmental Prize 2003 (Environmental Nobel)
  Nes Jardin, President, Cultural Center of the Philippines

• Sr.Mary John Mananzan, Asian Public Intellectual Awardee

• Nicanor Perlas, Right Livelihood Award 2003 (Alternative Nobel Prize), UNEP Global 500 Awardee 1994, The Outstanding Filipino Award (TOFIL) 1994

• PNOC Solar Project Team, Energy Globe World Award for Sustainability (Oscar for Environment) 2003

• Jess Robredo, Ramon Magsaysay Award 2000 (Nobel Prize of Asia)

Artistic groups and artists who will perform include Loboc Children’s Choir, awarded best children’s choir in the world, Madrigal Singers, winner of the cultural gold medal at the 2004 Olympics, Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Grace Nono, TOWNS awardee, Monique Wilson, TOWNS Awardee, Kuh Ledesma, Gary Granada, Apo Hiking Society, Celeste Legazpi, and Joey Ayala. There will also be a performance of the Hudhud Epic, one of UNESCO’s 19 masterpieces of oral literature and a showing of the film, “Magnifico”, Grand Prize Winner at the International Film Festival in Berlin.

Ces Drilon, ABS-CBN business news anchor and TOWNS 2004 Awardee will co-emcee the event with Nicanor Perlas.
 
“We are already experiencing very enthusiastic and very supportive feedback on the Karangalan event. This indicates that the event is striking a very deep chord in the Filipino”, concludes Perlas.