"The Point is..."
(In memory of Orlando "Ka Orly" Castillo)
Orlando "Ka Orly" Castillo, known for his social realist paintings and his activism, is truly an example of one who witnessed throughout his life the struggles of the Filipino folk both in his homeland and in the diaspora.
Born in 1947 in Cagayan by middle class parents, Ka Orly's fondness for art and his rebel attitude had created conflict especially with his father who wanted him to take engineering. Instead, he chose to take Fine Arts in the University of Santo Tomas, where he also became known for his activism as a student leader.
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| "Justice under Martial Law" |
Indeed, his life was that of struggle, both his artwork and his experience in life as an activist, cultural worker, and as a trade union organiser. Some years ago, in his lectures on culture he stressed "returning to basics"- that of direct and solid organising with mass leaders also serving as agitators exhorting people to unite and fight, and at the same time willing to assist them by any means- from making latrines, cleaning canals, to that of administering acupuncture to the sick. He even stressed the importance of studying works such as "Philippine Society and Revolution", the "Little Red Book" and various classics, as well as conducting criticism and self criticism as part of maintaining discipline within the ranks.
Even during Martial Law when he was imprisoned, didn't stop Ka Orly from making art, but instead served as a basis of his artworks, one of which end displayed in the National Museum narrating the brutality guised as "justice" under the "new society" and the people's resistance against it.
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| "The Point is..." (Ka Orly with students during a lecture) |
Also in one of his lectures Ka Orly stressed the promotion of a culture that caters to the masses. Just like his artworks, this should reflect the conditions and aspirations of the people and at the same time a tool to liberate from ignorance, lies, and exaggerations promoted by the detested order. His contemporaries as well as the younger generation would find his "hardcore" idea as "being stuck in the past"- especially when he criticised today's contemporary culture be it "hiphop", "emo", or even those who played guitar with tones Ka Orly find as disagreeable! But this didn't stop the youth from enjoying their music, their genre, what more that they use it in promoting radical change as what the veteran envisioned.
Need not to explain further, but "the point is", in seeing the memories having him engaging in heated debates, listening to his impassioned speeches, endless sermons, and constant reminders of the necessity of "arouse, organise, and mobilise" shows how important the struggle is especially in a time the order trying to silence dissent what more of persecuting those who disagree with the order's unjust direction.
Rest in Power Ka Orly, the young generation will continue carrying your legacy.