Miss Universe 2018 and Arts and NCCA Ambassador for the Arts, Catriona Gray, graced the occasion, which was attended by officials from the NCCA, other cultural agencies, and the Intramuros Administration.

There was a parade around Intramuros featuring a marching band and street performers, ending at the Museo de Intramuros courtyard, where the Intramuros Administration offered a free museum tour.

Later in the evening, the Metropolitan Theater illuminated lights representing the seven arts in commemoration of the National Arts Month 2025 opening.

Saan Ka Lulugar 2025 highlights placemaking through Filipino architecture for National Arts Month celebration

Since 2021, the National Committee on Architecture and the Allied Arts have been holding “Saan Ka Lulugar 2025: Resiliency in the Built and Design Environment” to spark and enhance discourses on architecture and allied arts (AAA) through a series of activities such as talks, workshops and tours.

This year, with the theme “Bayan Ko, Saan Ka Lulugar sa Aming Diwa’t Damdamin?” “Saan Ka Lulugar” (SKL) continues to highlight the importance of architecture and the allied arts.

Through workshops, talks, and walking tour, SKL 2025 will bring to the forefront discussion on values that are truly Filipino, and will serve as a platform in exploring the intellectual understanding (mind) and emotional connection (heart) of the evolving concept of home using the lens of culture and the arts. It is set to take place at Kublai Art Garden Digos City, Davao Del Sur on February 22 to 25.

Diwa’t Damdamin sa Pelikula Natin

The National Committee on Cinema organizes a lineup of events including the launch of Cinema Rehiyon Film Festival, which is dedicated to regional films, on February 7 in Butuan City; “Paano Magbasa ng Pelikula” (How to Read a Film), a film education initiative, on February 8 in Philippine Science High School – CARAGA Region Campus, Ampayon, Butuan City, on February 17 in Alaminos in Pangasinan, and February 20 in Bulacan; Solar Shorts Flix, screenings of regional films on SolarTV on February 12 and from February 17 to 21.

Various film workshops initiatives will be spearheaded by the Cultural Center of the Philippines on February 1 as part of Pasinaya, and the province of Quirino.

Regional films will also be screened as part of NCC activities in various locations nationwide including MiraNila Heritage House on February 4 and 12; from February 5 to 19 in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines; all Fridays of February in Imus, Cavite; as part of the Orange Tourism Festival in Quezon province on February 12 and 13; and as part of the Margaha Film Festival in Sagay City, Negros Occidental.

DANCE

Sayaw Pinoy

National Committee on Dance’s series of touring dance concert, Sayaw Pinoy, remains to be one of the longest running flagship projects for NAM, providing a platform to both established and emerging dance groups, promoting collaborations.

This year, Sayaw Pinoy shows with workshops will be held from the second until the fourth week of the month in the provinces of Batangas, Pampanga, and NCR.

Additionally, the National Committee on Dance will hold the Sayaw Pinoy 2025 National Tiktok Dance Challenge to popularize the new Sayaw Pinoy theme song. Winners will be selected from the National Capital Region and the three island clusters of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

On the other hand, in Sayaw Pinoy Online Dance Education Lecture Series, dance educators and experts will discuss and engage in discourse about dance in the K-12 MATATAG program.

DRAMATIC ARTS

Tanghalang Bayan

National Committee on Dramatic Arts will hold Tanghalang Bayan, which will feature workshops, discourse, and performances from various theater groups within the metro. This will be held at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila on February 26.

PANITIKaravan

National Committee on Literary Arts will mount a literary caravan, called PANITIKaravan, with three components—Pampublikong Panayam (public lecture), Mabilisang Palihan (quick workshop), and Malikhaing Pagtatanghal (creative performance). Manila will host PANITIKaravan in Araullo High School in partnership with the Department of Education Manila on February 24.

Other National Arts Month Tie-Up Events relating to the NCLA’s National Festival sites include: UP Los Banos, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) Sentro ng Wika at Kultura Mataas na Paaralang Neptali A. Gonzales Manlilikha Launch.

MUSIC

Musikapuluan

The National Committee on Music will again hold Musikapuluan, a series of workshops and performances, aimed at providing venues for musical groups and artists and offering a wide spectrum of music cultures in the Philippines. It will be held in three legs in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

For the Luzon leg, Musikapuluan will feature traditional Cordilleran music with interactive workshops that highlight indigenous musical instruments and traditional vocal techniques. It will be held in Bauko and Bontoc, Mountain Province from February 26 to 27.

The Visayas leg, in Roxas City, Capiz, from February 15 to 16, will focus on Visayan musical styles, and will include performances of traditional folk songs and rondalla music as well as workshops.

For the Mindanao leg, Musikapuluan will feature kulintang performances, chants and dances of the island cluster, with workshops on traditional Mindanaoan music, from February 17 to 18 in Lamitan, Basilan.

Visual Arts

The National Committee on Visual Arts’ project for NAM is Bagong Biswal, which has four components—art workshops (Sining Sanayan), art exhibitions (Sining Sinag), and town hall meetings (Sining Biswal Scene). It will be held from February 6 to 8 in Cebu City, Cebu and from February 22 to 24 in Baler, Aurora.