01.29.2015
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), led by its chairman Felipe M. de Leon Jr. and OIC-executive director Adelina M. Suemith, is gearing up for the celebration of National Arts Month (NAM) the whole month February, with the theme “Highlighting local cultural genius to promote pride of place,” placing emphasis on localities and local arts and artists.
Instead of holding the Philippine Arts Festival, a grand event of the committees of the NCCA Subcommission on the Arts which the NCCA has been holding for several years now, the national government agency for arts and culture is spurring local government units, schools and non-government organizations to mount events in their communities for the celebration of NAM, promoting “local culture and arts scene and featuring the talents, performances and creativity of the many artists and arts groups in the seven arts.”
Early December of last year, the NCCA called for project proposals for possible funding assistance. Twelve projects were given the nod. The activities and events are spread out from Luzon to Mindanao, comprising performances, exhibits and workshops. Several projects are festivals of different art forms, involving several activities.
In Manila, the Lyceum of the Philippines (LPU) is holding the Kultouravan: The Lyceum of the Philippines Cultural Caravan involving students and artists. Several cultural activities will be held in Intramuros and Rizal Park on Jan. 25, Feb. 2, Feb. 4 and Feb. 9 to 14.
In La Union, the Saint Louis College of San Fernando will hold the Tawid Taoid: Bridging Cultures on Feb. 9, 10 and 20 to promote arts and culture to students. Performances will include local culture while exhibits will feature the works of visual arts students. Launching in campuses, the works will tour the province for wider audience.
In Burgos, Ilocos Norte, the local government will mount Panagkaysakaysa: Ti Umili Ti Kultura Ken Sining from Feb. 16 to 21 promoting the town’s heritage through different art forms.
For the whole month of February, the town of Liliw in Laguna, which is known for its slipper-making industry, will hold the Sining Tsinelasan sa Liliw. The event aims to tell legends and stories about the local industry through theatrical presentations and an exhibit at the Plaza Gat Tayaw Covered Court.
In southern Luzon, the Ligao National High School of Ligao City in Albay will have Hablon: Habi ng Sining sa Paaralan at Komunidad comprising forums, workshops and a theater performance by selected students from Feb. 21 to 26.
The Kanlaon Theatre Guild recognizes the artistic contributions of artists and cultural groups and institutions in the province of Negros Occidental through Ani: A Harvest of Traditional and Contemporary Artistic Expressions in Negros Occidental on Feb. 18 and 19. It will include the performance of “Circulo,” a “breakdance theater” with the members if Critical Breakdance, a Bacolod-based hiphop/break dance crew; the sarsuwela Gugma nga Indi Mapunggan; a musical by Armin Paredes on the 1898 Al Cinco de Noviembre event; the play Baganihan, Si Iska nga Permi Handa and Pedro Kalungsod; a fashion show focusing on the local wraparound skirt patadyong; and a monologue by an Ati group. Also in Bacolod City, “Ani Dos” will highlight the harvest of creative works of the Maskara Theatre Ensemble, Santermo Writer’s Group and the La Salle Chorale with the special participation of the Jean Baptiste Dance Company. The performance will feature poetry of Filipino writers and Visayan folk songs. It will on Feb. 19 and 20, at 2:30 and 6:30 p.m., at the Gallaga Theater of the University of St. La Salle.
Farther south in Mindanao, Xavier University of Cagayan de Oro City will hold Panaghugpong 7: Xavier Arts Festival from Jan. 30 to Feb. 25. This year’s edition of the school’s annual arts festival will feature a visual arts exhibit, theatre performances, dance, choral music, string and wind instrument ensemble performance and lectures.
Two literary events will happen in Bulacan and Camarines Sur. The town of Baliuag in Bulacan will pay tribute to one of its most prominent writer, fictionist, playwright and poet in Filipino Pedro S. Dandan, who was born in Baliuag. His works will be showcased in musical and dance performances in different parts of the town in a program called Linagin ang Ugnayan ng Bayan at Pamayanan para sa Likhang Sining ng Mamamayan.
On the other hand, Bikol literature will be spotlighted in the fifth mounting of the Pintakasi Kan Literaturang Bikolnon on Feb. 20 in Pili, Camarines Sur, spearheaded by the Altamarino Clasio High School. The event will include the Aklat Ani Bikol Book fair, a creative writing workshop, and a poetry reading and literary performance session in an effort to promote Bicol literature and hone the skills of Bicol writers.
In Paombong, Bulacan, 13 local visual artists will be highlighted in an exhibit. Meanhile, Angono in Rizal, which is known for the abundance of visual artists, will put the limelight on an icon of Filipino music—National Artist Lucio San Pedro. On the occasion of San Pedro’s 102nd birth anniversary, there will be performances of music, poetry and different art forms on Feb. 11.
Aside from these local art events, outreach performances are set in Balanga, Bataan on February 20, and in Malolos, Bulacan in February 23. Ani ng Dangal exhibits will be featured in SM North EDSA on February 13 to 20, and SM Megamall in February 21 to 27.
For more information, contact the NCCA Public Affairs and Information Office (PAIO) head, Rene Sanchez Napenas at (632) 527-2192 or 0928-5081057; or email us at ncca.paio@gmail.com.
