National artist Virgilio Almario elected new NCCA chair

Poet, literary historian, and National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario follows Felipe de Leon Jr. as the chairperson of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Almario, who served as NCCA's executive director from 1998 to 2001, will act as the head of the overall policy-making body for the preservation, development, and promotion of Philippine arts and culture from 2017 to 2019 after being elected into position, and shall lead the NCCA Board of Commissioners composed of representatives from the legislative, executive, and the private sectors.

The 72-year-old Filipino artist, who is also known as Rio Alma, will also continue to champion language and literature as the Chairman of Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino (KWF).

New National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chairperson Virgilio Almario (seated, with hat) and the rest of the NCCA board for 2017-2019. Photo: NCCA

Before being known for his government service, Almario has cemented his legacy in the field of arts and culture with a successful modernist movement in Filipino poetry, numerous recognition such as several Palanca Awards and the Southeast Asia Write Award, and important translations of famous works like Jose Rizal's “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo.”

Among the board members who shall be working with the new Chairperson are Hon. Paolo Benigno A. Aquino IV, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts, and Culture; Hon. Evelina G. Escudero,  Chairperson of the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture; Hon. Alberto T. Muyot, Undersecretary of the Department of Education; Hon. Falconi V. Millar, Undersecretary of the Department of Tourism; Hon. Rene R. Escalante, OIC Chair of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines; Hon. Jeremy R. Barns , Director of the National Museum; Hon. Yolanda E. Jacinto, Officer-in-Charge/Assistant Director of the National Library of the Philippines; and Hon. Victorino M. Manalo, Executive Director of the National Archives of the Philippines.

Completing the roster of the NCCA Board for 2017 to 2019 are Hon. Raul M. Sunico, President of the Cultural Center of the Philippines; Hon. Teddy O. Co, Commissioner of the Subcommission on the Arts; Hon. Alphonsus D. Tesoro, Commissioner of the Subcommission of Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts; Hon. Orlando B. Magno, Commissioner of the Subcommission on Cultural Dissemination; and Hon. Marichu G. Tellano, OIC-Executive Director of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. — Bianca Rose Dabu/BM, GMA News