THE invaluable role of the arts amid difficult moments serves as the focal point of this year’s celebration of National Arts Month, with the theme “Sining ng Pag-Asa.”
February of every year is declared as National Arts Month under Presidential Proclamation 683 to celebrate artistic excellence and pay tribute to the uniqueness and diversity of the Filipino heritage and culture. This year, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), as the spearheading agency for the annual celebration, shifts the focus of the festivities to the value of the arts during challenging times, including the ongoing Covid-19 global health crisis.
“We recognize the arts as a source and expression of hope, as well as the continuous formulation of creative means to respond to the effects of the pandemic, natural calamities and other social realities,” said NCCA chairman Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso in the recent online kick-off to this year’s festivities. “The National Arts Month, being one of the commission’s biggest flagship programs, is an essential platform to cultivate appreciation for the arts and bring out a deep sense of respect for our cultures and traditions.”
According to Rolando Tolentino, Commissioner of NCCA Subcommission on the Arts, National Arts Month 2022 also highlights the talent and perseverance of Filipino artists.
“Nais ipakita na ang mga sining at alagad ng sining
ay nagpupursigi, ipinagpapatuloy ang kanilang paglikha
at produksyong pang-kultural sa panahong
kinasasadlakan ng bansa at mundo, dahil kinakailangan ng ating mga kababayan ang sining bilang tanglaw sa peligrosong panahon at tungo sa makabuluhang pagbabago,” Tolentino said.
National Arts Month 2022 showcases seven flagship projects from each of the national committees on different artistic disciplines. The activities run from the first week of February until March.
Architecture and Allied Arts
Saan Ka Lulugar: Creativity as the Catalyst for Recovery
FOR National Arts Month 2022, the National Committee on Architecture and Allied Arts mounts four webinar sessions about the dynamic transformation of public and private spaces in the new normal.
The project, titled Saan Ka Lulugar: Creativity as the Catalyst for Recovery, aims to “promote and popularize the outstanding creations of Filipino artists in the time of pandemic, and increase awareness and knowledge of innovations in planning and design as a response to the pandemic, other natural hazards, and the new normal.” The webinar series will be hosted via Zoom and livestreamed via Facebook from February 11 to March 4.
Cinema
Cinema Rehiyon: Cinema Society in World Change
The flagship project of the National Committeeon Cinema will be composed of webinars and roundtable discussions, featuring regional filmmakers and talk-back. There will also be a showing of the best regional films produced in 2021, including Mindanao short films. Cinema Rehiyon will run from February 16 to 28.
Dance
Sayaw Pinoy Goes Virtual: Dance of Hope
Sayaw Pinoy is the longest-running flagship program of the National Committee on Dance for National Arts Month.
This year, Sayaw Pinoy hopes to provide continuity for dance creation while assisting the different dance groups, encouraging hope. The program will target to engage about 80 groups across eight shows on February 5, 12, 19, 26 and March 5.
Dramatic Arts
16th Tanghal National University & Community Based Theater Festival
The National Committee on Dramatic Arts flag-ship project will feature 30-minute school/university-based and collaborative performances from all over the country. With the theme “Theatre Beyond Borders Amidst All Social and Environmental Challenges,” the project will run from February 14 to 26.
Literary
Himaya: Panitikan ng Pagbabanyuhay
This flagship project is mainly composed of the publication of learning material and a two-day conference on March 25 and 26. There will also be a tribute to late literary titans, including Bienvenido Lumbera.
Music
Musikapuluan: Gems of Contemporary Music in the Different Genres
The National Committee on Music’s Musikapuluan features various types of music written in the last five or 10 years. The genres include choral works/acappella groups, pop-ethnic/protest songs, and pop music, among others. Musikapuluan: Gems of Contemporary Music in the Different Genres will be conducted every Sunday beginning February 27 until March 20.
Visual Arts
Bagong Biswal 2022
Bagong Biswal 2022 will be comprised of five installments of 30 to 40 artists and artist groups, exhibition walkthrough, pop outdoor exhibition, community project, murals, workshop, and webinar series. The project will stream from March 7 to 12.
“In united voices, the seven arts—architecture and allied arts, cinema, dance, drama, literature, music and visual arts—come together as one and encourage you all that even in the middle of this pandemic, it truly serves as a symbolism and reminder for all Filipinos to move forward with strength and perseverance,” said Oscar Casaysay, executive director of NCCA.
“When the pandemic is over,” he added, “we shall all meet again to dance, sing, act and celebrate our multifaceted arts and culture through live events and performances.”