Lesson 5 Activity

The Contemporary Times

1. Poverty
- Is also associated with poor governance, corruption, and a political system controlled by political
dynasties. Political dynasties control the country's poorest provinces. Natural catastrophes have
aggravated the Philippines' poverty. Natural catastrophes in the Philippines have caused US$23
billion in losses since 1990, further delaying development. Typhoons, which occur frequently,
cost the country lives, illness, starvation, and the denial of education and health facilities.
Farmers in the Philippines are among the most susceptible, as floods and landslides severely
damage their crops and revenue. In comparison to the affluent population, the poorest people
labor in agriculture and live in locations prone to natural disasters. There is not enough good
employment available, and there is a dearth of investment in education, which contributes to
such significant income disparity. The government, on the other hand, has programs aimed at
eliminating poverty and improving the lives of the poorest sectors of the population. The
development process has been hindered by recurring factors. GDP per capita growth is
substantially slower than population growth. Unmanaged population growth is one of the causes
of poverty in the Philippines. Because the impoverished have larger families, they are unable to
get health care or sex education, which leads to more children and the cycle continuing. The
trend of growth is prevalent in rural areas, although poverty has increased in metropolitan areas.
Cities in the Philippines have seen an increase in poverty as a result of a lack of well-paying jobs.

2. Answer the following questions:

what do you think are the roles of artists in the issue?

- Every artist plays a different and necessary part in contributing to the overall health,
development, and well-being of our society. Creative thinkers and makers provide their
communities with joy, interaction, and inspiration, but they also give thoughtful critique to our
political, economic, and social systems — pushing communities to engage thoughtfully and make
steps toward social progress.

What are your suggestions for them to become socially relevant or active in the solution and
awareness of pressing the issue?
- Create a community mural. To improve community morale. Creating a community mural is an
activity that can bring residents together to create unity. Install a Sculpture walk. to encourage
exploring nature. Organize a community art exhibition. to unite generations. Schedule Live
demonstrations to embrace learning.

Why do you think the arts can be an avenue for the discussion and dissemination of these
realities in our country?
- One of the things that has been alleged to be the purpose of art is its cognitive function: art as a
means to the acquisition of truth. Art has even been called the avenue to the highest knowledge
available to humans and to a kind of knowledge impossible of attainment by any other means.

How can the recipients of artworks be more involved?

- I believe that one of the most important roles of artists and the thought that artists have
responsibilities may surprise some - is to help people not just know and grasp something
intellectually, but also emotionally and physically. By doing so, art can help to alleviate the
numbing effect of today's information overload and urge people to transform their thoughts into
actions.