“ALAB-SINING,ALAY-SIGLA”: IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL ARTS MONTH
February is a special month in the Philippines as the country annually celebrates artistic excellence and pays tribute to the uniqueness and diversity of the Filipino heritage and culture. Promulgated by then President Corazon Aquino in 1991, Presidential Proclamation No. 683 declares February as National Arts Month (NAM). Under the mandate of National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and spearheaded by Subcommission on the Arts (SCA), it highlighted the importance of acknowledging exceptional artistic contribution and promoting artistic movement and expressions as embodied in the field of Visual Arts, Architecture, Allied Arts, Music, Dance, Cinema, Dramatic Arts, and Literary Arts. This year’s theme of Alab-Sining, Alay-Sigla intends “ to provide opportunities for artists to harvest creative energies in uplifting the nation’s spirit.” This is in response to the on-going worldwide pandemic that has affected all aspects of everyday life. As a product of human endeavour, Art has the capacity to inspire and empower a nation and its people. With this in mind, NAM “aims to conserve, promote and popularize Filipino artistic creations; integrate the arts in the community life; and harness the arts as catalyst for values education.” In line with this, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) tapped private institutions and government agencies alike to participate in the month-long festivity by hosting events and activities throughout the archipelago. Cultural programs and art-related undertakings such as free art workshops, art exhibitions, music-dance-theatre performances, film showing, heritagerelated campaigns, etc. are all explored on both the national and local level. Given the constraints brought about by the pandemic, this year’s program line-up are mostly held online via live streaming on the internet on social media platforms, though limited physical gatherings are still allowed. Particularly showcased are the exceptional artistic talents asserting the distinctiveness of vernacular communities across the country.
50 NATIONAL ARTS MONTH | FILIPINO ARTISTS MAGAZINE
