National Artist Virgilio Almario pushes for responsible use of social media

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National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario has pushed for the responsible use of social media, including setting limits on children's usage of it.

In his interview on "Power Talks with Pia Arcangel," Almario shared that social media is for democratizing communication, but it is being used to spread disinformation.

"Ang social media ay talagang for communication 'yan. Mainam, nade-democratize ang communication, lahat nagpa-participate. Pero ang nangyayari, nagagamit din for politics, for fake news at saka pagkakalat ng baluktot na values," he said.

"So, kailangan dito ay campaign-in 'yung mga gumagamit ng social media. Dahil mga trolls, walang habas 'yan, e. Walang, walang konsensya 'yan. Basta kung sino magbayad, gagawa 'yan ng trabaho, e. 'Yung mga influencer na trolls din, nakakaapekto sa mga bata."

According to Almario, there should be limits on the social media use of children as well.

"Mayroong isang lugar na may age limit na, e. Mahalaga 'yun kasi kung hindi kokontrolin 'yun, lalo na sa eskuwelahan, mga maling values ang nakukuha ng mga bata," he shared.

He also believes that those who use social media should be responsible in how they use the platforms.  

"Ikalawa, siguro kampanyahin natin 'yung mga gumagamit ng social media na pagbutihin nila ang paggamit. Hindi 'yung lahat ng mga walang kabuluhan ang ginagamit."

During the interview, the National Artist also talked about the many ways that art can contribute to society.

"Puwede mong gamitin ang sining na direct para sa edukasyon. Puwede mong gawin ang sining na pang-aliw. Pero mayroon ka rin binibigay na values na pang-edukasyon. 'Yung dalawa lang na 'yun, mahirap gawin 'yun, e," he said.

These, he added, are difficult to do for some people, which is why they only prefer to write about the personal.

"Personal na pag-ibig, personal na kalungkutan, personal na mahilig sa pagkain, personal na paglalasing. Madaling gawin 'yung kasi. Wala kang kahit anong konsyensya na kailangan pag-isipan," he said.

"Okay lang 'yan para sa akin pero hindi 'yun ang uri ng sining na nakakatulong sa kapuwa mo. Kailangan nakakatulong ka sa kapuwa mo tao."

Almario, known for his pen name Rio Alma, was conferred the National Artist for Literature award in 2003. He has published a wide range of books on poetry and literary criticism, including "Makinasyon," "Peregrinasyon," "Doktrinang Anakpawis," "Ang Makata sa Panahon ng Makina,""Mutyang Dilim," and many more.

He is also the founder of Adarna House, a publishing house dedicated to local children's literature.

— CDC, GMA Integrated News