Halina't Maki-Sining! NCCA Celebrates National Arts Month With New Projects

Apart from love month, February is also a celebration of the arts in the Philippines. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) spearheads the celebration of National Arts Month (NAM) in the country with various activities and programs.

This year’s theme, “Ani ng Sining, Bunga ng Galing” is about immersing in “diverse cultural expressions and celebrat[ing] the bountiful harvest from the Filipino imagination,” according to NCCA’s press release on Jan. 19.

“The theme ’galing’ refers to excellence in the arts as both a source of bounty despite challenging times, and a product of the passion of Filipino artists and cultural workers. In celebrating National Arts Month in 2023, ’galing’ alludes to artistic excellence as well as underscoring the capacity of the arts to heal, rebuild, and restore in a post-pandemic setting,” the release read.

The opening ceremony will take place on Feb. 12 at the Rizal Park Open-Air Auditorium. The National Arts Month celebration will be filled with performances, workshops, poem and story readings, and film excerpts, as well as the launch of flagship projects (for each of the seven art forms) by the Subcommission on the Arts (SCA).

Upcoming Events

Workshops on visual arts, action-song for theater, dance, indigenous music, shooting short films using smartphones, and spoken word will be held between 2 PM-4 PM. Subsequently, there will be performances from Joey Ayala and Kalinga Music, as well as spoken word poetry, film showings, classical guitar, rondalla, and theater performances from 6 PM-8 PM.

A ceremony honoring artists, cultural workers, and works that have been recognized on a global scale will be held at the NCCA's Ani Ng Dangal. More information will be posted soon.

SCA Flagship Projects

Architecture and Allied Arts: Saan Ka Lulugar (SKL) 2023: Resiliency in the Built and Designed Environment

This on-site and webinar series focuses on how interior and exterior spaces have transformed as brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

When: Feb. 27 and March 3

Where: Metropolitan Theater and Cebu City

Cinema: Cinema Rehiyon

One of the main projects of the NCCA National Committee, Cinema Rehiyon champions regional filmmaking by supporting and screening the works of filmmakers from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and Metro Manila to reach more Filipinos.

When: March

Where: Multiple venues in Baguio Ciyy

Dance: Sayaw Pinoy

A touring dance concert for established and up-and-coming dance groups from different regions to showcase and exchange choreographic ideas.

When: Feb 2-March 30

Where: Zamboanga, Rizal Park, Kalibo (Aklan), San Fernando and Mabalacat (Pampanga), and Bacolod

Dramatic Arts: 17th Tanghal

This project recognizes the excellence of Filipino theater artists and cultural workers, showcasing regional live theater performances and the national online festival.

Literary Arts: Panitikan ng Panumduman

This on-site conference is about exploring the old and new in Philippine literature and will examine the“Literature of Memory” in relation to Klima (Climate), Kuwerpo (Body), and Kronika (Chronicle).

Music: Musikapuluan: Mga Bagong Tugtugin Natin

This project serves as a musical venue for different genres, musicians, choirs, symphonic bands and orchestras, and production teams from all over the country.

Visual Arts: Bagong Biswal

Bagong Biswal comprises Sineng Sining, Sining Sinag, and Sining Biswal. It celebrates Filipino art by highlighting the “relentless tenacity and evolving creativity of the Filipino visual artists’ community.”

For more information about the NCCA calendar of activities this National Arts Month, visit ncca.gov.ph or its official Facebook page.