February is National Arts Month

In celebration of February as National Arts Month, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 683 issued in 1991, the government is holding a month-long cultural celebration, the Philippine Arts Festival (PAF), with the theme “Tradisyon at Inobasyon” (Tradition and Innovation). There will be workshops, exhibits, seminars, and performances, with renowned local and foreign artists taking part in the activities. Events and activities are led by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

There are seven arts activities for the PAF. These are: Taboan, a literary arts festival; the First Asian Festival of Gongs and Bamboo Music; the Tanghal dramatic arts; Philippine International Visual Arts Festival: The Rizal Experience; Cinema Rehiyon; Architecture; and Sayaw Pinoy.

Sayaw Pinoy 2012, the longest running national dance tour now on its 9th year, is being staged in the National Capital Region, and in various venues in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. On February 3-4, 2012, the NCCA, the prime agency for arts and culture, brings the country’s top dance companies from Manila and emerging groups from the regions, to Davao City. The dance tour aims to reach the grassroots to discover new talents and to connect to more Filipino dance artists.

On February 20-24, 2012. The NCCA will bring the PAF to typhoon-stricken Cagayan de Oro City. The aim is to help in the healing process for survivors through music and dance. The gongs and bamboo music festival will be held in Baguio and Iloilo on February 25-28, 2012.

We congratulate the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, headed by Chairman Felipe M. de Leon Jr., its Board of Commissioners, officials and employees, on the occasion of National Arts Month in February, 2012. We wish them all the best and success in all endeavors. MABUHAY!