National Arts Month

 Pinoy artistic excellence takes center stage in NAM 2023 celebration

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) welcomed the National Arts Month with a press conference that revealed the flagship projects from the fields of music, dramatic arts, cinema, architecture & allied arts, dance, literary arts, and visual arts for the 2023 calendar.

"We have finally returned to on-site events. Experiencing the arts through our five senses is still a very exceptional feeling. The combination of the senses has deepened our neural pathways in the brain, creating memorable moments to be long remembered. This year, the NCCA has calendared a nationwide array of activities for every Filipino," intoned executive director Oscar Casaysay.

In 1991, the National Arts Month celebration was promulgated by the late president Corazon Aquino, through Proclamation No. 683, declaring February of each year in celebrating the Filipino artistic excellence, as well as pay tribute to the uniqueness and diversity of the Pinoy heritage and culture. This year's celebration underscores the capacity of the arts to heal, rebuild, and restore in a post-pandemic setting.

"This is a time of pride and nationalism. The national leadership has given recognition to the celebration of our arts and culture; showcasing the best of Filipino creations and their creators. Meanwhile, 10,200 freelance cultural workers have been extended aid during the height of the pandemic," informed deputy executive director Marichu Tellano.

The National Arts Month 2023 highlights Philippine artistic excellence through the theme "Ani ng Sining, Bunga ng Galing." The theme aims to immerse Filipinos in diverse cultural expressions and celebrate the 'bountiful harvest' from the Pinoy's creative imagination.

"While the IATF guidelines considered art as non-essential, a survey conducted by the NCCA revealed the following observations - it afforded 'pagbubuklod-buklod ng bayan,' that it was a form of entertainment, it promoted mental health & wellbeing, it was a transmitter of values, and, more importantly, it afforded Filipinos an identity as a race. The arts makes us proud," intimated Dr. Alvin Manuel Villalon, who chairs the Music committee.

The several committees shared the various programs and projects in their 2023 calendar. Among these are the 8 Living Cultures (including indigenous and pop culture), the Musikapuluan project that will culminate with the NAMCYA awards night, a walking tour of the Rizal Park, Cinema Rehiyon XV featuring 100 filmmakers, Unity Dance, Sayaw Pinoy featuring traditional, folk, neo-classical, ballroom, hiphop and ballet traditions, a plenary on Panitikan ng Alaala (Literature of Memory), art camp on mural making, theater workshops highlighting the use of traditional instruments, and Tanghal's 17th year featuring four regional festivals - one each from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and the NCR.

"We need to support the platform of artists and their works, as well as develop new platforms for the arts in general. We redefine the new normal for the arts in a much bigger and exciting way. And to recognize the important role of the arts to serve the greater good despite the prevailing conditions," remarked NCCA chairman Victorino Mapa Manalo.

The opening salvo takes place on February 12 at the Rizal Park open-air auditorium through afternoon and evening performances showcasing, among others, workshops, poetry & story reading, and film excerpts from the seven featured art forms.