NEW NCCA ENVOYS. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) names Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray (right) as Arts ambassador and Julie Anne San Jose (2nd from left) as Music ambassador in a press conference at the NCAA office in Intramuros, Manila on Tuesday (Jan. 28, 2020). Also in photo are NCCA chair Arsenio "Nick" Lizaso, and Communications Assistant Secretary Marie Rafael. (PNA photo by Cristina Arayata)
MANILA – The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) on Tuesday introduced Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and singer Julie Anne San Jose as its new Arts and Music ambassadors, respectively.
The two new NCCA ambassadors were introduced in a press conference where officials led by NCCA chairman Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso promoted various activities set to be held during the National Arts Month (NAM) next month.
In her speech, Gray said she came from a mixed heritage and her love for arts and culture is something that was learned and embodied.
She expressed her hope that the new generation would start appreciating what the country has to offer.
"Just like in harvesting, it starts with planting a seed. I hope I can instill a fierce love and passion for arts and culture in each one of us," Gray said.
Gray has a Master Certificate in music theory from Berkley College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, according to NCCA.
"My personal advocacy aside from education and HIV/AIDS (awareness), is to instill a sense of burning pride for our country, the Philippines, to the new generation," she said.
Aside from winning the Miss Universe 2018 crown, Gray also works with an education-based non-profit organization, and an international charitable cause that provides corrective surgery for children with cleft lips.
San Jose, on the other hand, joined another artist KZ Tandingan as Music ambassadors of the NCCA.
Apart from singing, San Jose has been hosting different television shows and already won various awards in the field of music.
San Jose said she has not prepared a speech but thanked NCCA for appreciating her talent and choosing her as an ambassador before rendering a song for the audience.
Tandingan has been NCCA's Music ambassador since 2019. (PNA)
