Dr. Glecy C. Atienza, Director for Research and Creative Work at the UP Resilience Institute, guested on the April 18, 2024 episode of DZUP’s “UP Atin ‘To!”. The program, hosted by Ram Simbajon and JJ Malate, highlights the UP community’s stories, individuals, and research that contribute to progress and what it means to be a community that embodies honor, excellence, and compassion.
The episode, “Si Mother Nature sa Philippine Literature”, discussed the use of literature in discussing environmental issues. The segment opened with the question of whether Art and Science are different worlds – to which Dr. Atienza answered that both fields are focused on studying how life persists.
Science needs art and literature to help convey scientific knowledge in a way the general public can understand. On the other hand, the process of producing art also requires research. Dr. Atienza shared previous projects such as songs about earthquake resilience and fecal-oral disease transmission for which they needed to do research and consult with experts.
Dr. Atienza also emphasized that creation is not the end product. It’s important to make sure the target audience understands the message and is moved to take action.
The segment also discussed the power of language in informing people, especially when conveying critical information. One example is how “duck, cover, and hold” during earthquakes can be localized to “dapa, tago, kapit”.
Dr. Atienza also discussed eco-criticism in literature and critical analysis by writers and artists in the Philippines. The hosts also mentioned “K na K”, a planned radio program that will use dramatization and expert advice to explain disease prevention and health-seeking behaviors. It intends to reflect on our experience during the height of COVID-19 and how we navigate through public health concerns now.
Creative works, once successfully pilot-tested, can be popularized through repeated practice – which is especially valuable due to muscle memory. This reflects on the RCW’s tagline “Gawing-gawi ang katatagan” – making resilience a habit.
The full replay can be viewed through DZUP’s Facebook page through this link. UPRI-RCW continues to work on various creative projects to make resilience a habit such as Panahon Na!, K na K, the incoming Sayaw ng Katatagan, and the recently concluded Sanay, Agap, Iglap.