MANILA – The National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) on Monday bared its plans for the celebration of the upcoming National Arts Month (NAM) in February.
NCCA Commissioner Arvin Villalon said this year's theme, “Ani ng Sining, Bayang Malikhain", aims to put the spotlight on Filipino artistic excellence and its rich, diverse culture and the arts.
Villalon encouraged the public to hold pocket cultural and art activities within their communities in celebration of Filipino artistic creations.
“Hindi kailangan lang umasa sa mga ahensya ng pamahalaan pagdating sa sining. Palagay ko nagsisimula 'yang sining sa ating mga pamayanan, hindi malayo sa amin 'yan. Kaya 'yung aming tema ngayon ay pagkilala doon sa sining sa community (There is no need to rely on government agencies when it comes to art. I think art starts in our communities, it's not far from us. So our theme today is to recognize art in the community)," Villalon said in a Bagong Pilipinas briefing.
"Naghanda rin kami ng toolkit, you can browse the website of the NCCA na kung saan pwede kayong gumawa ng mga pocket activities at your homes or your communities para sariwain ang ating mga iba’t-ibang sining (We have also prepared a toolkit, you can browse the website of the NCCA where you can do pocket activities in your homes or your communities to celebrate our diverse artistic identity)."
The opening ceremony is on Feb. 23 at Rizal High School in Pasig City.
Among the events to be held nationwide include art fairs and flagship programs on architecture and allied arts, cinema, dance, dramatic arts, literary arts, music and visual arts.
NAM was declared through Presidential Proclamation 683 in 1991 by former President Corazon C. Aquino.
This annual event aims to honor the artistic excellence and rich diversity of Filipino heritage and culture. (Ava Costales and Lalaine Junio, trainees/PNA)
