Art, culture and stories that spring from history, education and, most important, passion—these are things that matter, according to the organizers of TEDxDiliman 2013, which was held last Oct. 13 at the University of the Philippines’ School of Economics.

 

This year, TEDxDiliman had Things That Matter as its theme. Guest speakers were Joey Ayala on indigenous music; Rica Bolipata-Santos, author, professor, and director of the Ateneo University Press, on books; Thirteen Artists Awardee and Anino Shadowplay Collective member Don Salubayba, on shadow plays; visual artist Marina Cruz, on adoptions; academic, activist, and former National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) official and energy head Popo Lotilla on maps; and Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen on lawyers. Also in the line up were Philippine Madrigal Singers choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio on music; astrophysicist and Chambliss Astronomy Achievement Student awardee Reinabelle Reyes on science; and Apprentice Asia champion Jonathan Yabut, on passion.

 

Audiences were also treated to performances by various groups. Ballet Philippines (BP) and the Peso Movement touched on heroes through an excerpt from BP’s “Rock Supremo.” Ayala also performed during the event, along with the Madrigal Singers.

 

This is the Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development’s (Canvas) third consecutive year to organize TEDxDiliman. Previous themes have been “How can art and culture change the world?” and “The Future.” In 2011, TEDxDiliman made it to Esquire (Philippines) Magazine’s “The Best and the Brightest” Issue.

 

TEDx is an independently organized event created in the spirit of “ideas worth spreading.” The program is designed to give communities, organizations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level.

 

“We have been longtime fans of TED, and it thrills us to create and share the same experience here, at a local level,” said Canvas executive director Gigo Alampay.

 

“We think that community is important,” said Alampay, “and what better way to bring people together than to listen to and watch interesting speakers and performers share their experiences and big ideas?”

 

While preparations and coordination for the event were, indeed, grueling, hard work paid off as this year’s talks received praise from netizens and participants. The organizers also flew in a guest speaker from the US.

 

This year’s TEDxDiliman boasted a full house audience. Seats were arranged by organizers as limited slots were made available only by invitation and upon application at the TEDxDiliman website. Applicants were asked about their backgrounds and passions, and why they’d like to attend the event.

 

This is how participants have been screened for TEDxDiliman since it began in 2011. The audience is expected to be diverse—with students, experts in their respective fields, professionals, prominent personalities and passionate individuals who are likely to make the hall buzz with interesting conversations.

 

TEDxDiliman 2013 is sponsored by the UP School of Economics, Cravings, Center for Culinary Arts, Coffee Academy, Robinsons Residences, Interaksyon.com, Lodestar Press, Inc., Changhong TV, Smart, Team Manila, T Pencil and Rock Ed Phils. Live streaming was made possible by www.interaksyon.com/tedxdiliman.

 

Canvas is a nonstock, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting greater awareness and appreciation for Philippine art, culture and the environment. It runs the Looking for Juan Program which explores the use of art to encourage reflection and debate on selected social issues, particularly free expression, technology and culture, and national identity.

 

Canvas also manages the One Million Books for One Million Filipino Children Campaign. The program donates Canvas-published children’s books to public schools, children’s wards or hospitals, and poor communities nationwide.

 

Visit TEDxDiliman.com or Canvas on Facebook.