(Photo Courtesy from the official Facebook page of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts)

“Art is deeply personal, it speaks volume about who you are as a person.” 

This is how Miss Universe 2018 and Arts Ambassador Catriona Gray of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) described the value of art both as a discipline and a pursuit. 

It’s not news that many individuals who choose to pursue arts as a career path are generally frowned upon because of the stereotypical notion that the artistic prowess in the creative industry does not often lead to professional success. 

“I think I’m not alone in having this perception that sometimes, the arts are discouraged in that when families want their children to pursue a certain course, sometimes the arts are said to be–not something that’s prospers you or gives you a sure security in the future that you want,” Catriona shared. 

While arts-related stigmas exist, it should not necessarily persist in today’s society. The Philippines has indeed come a long way in terms of giving the Filipino creative nation an enabling environment to explore their individual crafts, cultivate their artistic expressions, and help shape the overall cultural identity of the country. 

As the National Arts Month (NAM) unfolds this February 2024, the NCCA aspires to channel the creative energies of Filipino artists towards the collective formation of a ‘Bayang Malikhain’ which puts premium on the celebration and elevation of Philippine arts. 

How can you take pART in Bayang Malikhain? 

The celebration of NAM 2024 is primarily anchored on the flagship projects of the different Subcommission on the Arts (SCA) under the NCCA. This is composed of the committees on Architecture and Allied Arts, Music, Cinema, Dance, Dramatic Arts, Literary Arts, and Visual Arts. 

There will be a diverse range of activities at various scales per subcommission that people from  different generations can participate in. These will take place after the opening ceremony of NAM on February 23 in Rizal High School in Pasig City. 

In particular, the ceremony will be enjoining 14,000 student learners in the promotion of Filipino artistic creations through immersive workshops. 

Follow your heART 

Depending on your passion and unique preferences, the Bayang Malikhain has a place for your art interests. 

The NCCA ensures that the celebration of Filipino arts will have a bountiful harvest of not only collective human imagination but also individual aspirations. 

Here are some of the flagship projects of the SCA: 

• Saan Ka Lulugar (SKL): This is a series of seminars and workshops aimed at honing the next generation of Filipino innovators and visionaries. For 2024, the SKL is aligned with the theme “Bata, Bata Saan Ka Lulugar sa Kinabukasan ng Bayan?” in hopes to encourage the Filipino youth to be part of community-building while learning about the art of planning, designing, and creating in terms of architecture from dwellings to cities. 
• Cinema Rehiyon: This is an annual festival that features the works of the country’s renowned filmmakers. It anchors a film appreciation workshop dubbed as “Paano Magbasa ng Pelikula” to evoke the creative minds of participants into the art of storytelling. An online film library will also be made available nationwide to showcase the various independent Filipino-made and produced films. 
   
• Sayaw Pinoy: This stands as a touring dance concert aimed at providing a platform for dance enthusiasts and aspiring dance artists to showcase their talents in the performative art of dance. One of its main components in the “National TikTok Dance Challenge” using the official 2024 NAM Festival Song entitled “Ani ng Sining, Bayang Malikhain.” There will also be an online dance lecture series that will extend the discourse on dance in the context of the post-pandemic era.
• TANGHAL University: This will serve as an avenue for theater artists and cultural workers to dwell on the transformative role of theater in the community. It also seeks to offer a perspective on the different challenges confronting the contemporary theatrical landscape of Filipino art. 
• SURAT-TANGHAL: This project focuses on creating critical discussions about the finest literary works from the regions with the goal of fostering collective appreciation and artistic collaborations towards the further promotion of Philippine literary arts. It takes the form of public forums, meet-the-author sessions, and book fairs, among others. To improve the accessibility of literary arts, some works will also be translated into performances.
• Musikapuluan: This serves as a creative space to explore the rich music culture of the country. It features lecture-demonstrations on different musical instruments such as kulintang and some instrument-making activities, particularly of rondalla and guitar. In addition, it will also present choral performances centering on important societal themes. 
• Bagong Biswal: This will utilize online platforms and exhibits in bringing Filipino visual arts into a broader regional audience. It consists of a video presentation about the best field practices in various visual arts genres, an exhibition curating artworks from the regions, and a workshop tackling the intricacies of the Philippine visual arts industry. 

The schedule and venues of the said activities can be accessed by visiting the official Facebook page of the NCCA: https://www.facebook.com/NCCAOfficial

Meanwhile, the culmination of NAM anchors the conduct of the annual “Ani ng Dangal Awards” which seeks to give recognition to artists who have excelled in their respective art disciplines. This will be held on February 29, 2024, at the Malacañang Palace. 

For other queries, the NAM Secretariat can be reached by emailing nam@ncca.gov.ph. 

The arts is undeniably a subjective field. It piques interests that are unique to your identity as a person to your own self. 

While it ignites the spirit of individuality, arts can also serve as a powerful tool to foster a sense of unity which is exactly what ‘Bayang Malikhain’ aspires to attain. (JMP/PIA-NCR)