National Arts Month opens February 4: Here are 7 free and exciting things to watch for online

February is National Arts Month and even if we're still locked down, a series of exciting things are set happen that we can still enjoy from the comforts of their own homes.

Focused on the theme, “Sining ng Pag-Asa,” this year’s celebration aims to remind Filipinos that art plays a big part in our everyday lives even amid the ongoing health crisis.

“We recognize art as being a source and expression of hope, as well as a continuous formulation of the creative means to respond to the effects of the pandemic, natural calamities, and other social realities," said National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) chairman Arsenio "Nick" Lizaso in a recent press conference.

“The National Arts Month is an essential platform to cultivate appreciation for the arts and bring out a deep sense of respect for our cultures and traditions,” he added.

Aimed at recognizing every kind of art, seven flagship projects from each of the national committees will be held starting from the first week of February until March.

Saan KaLulugar: Creativity as the Catalyst for Recovery

Headed by the National Committee on Architecture and Allied Arts, “Saan KaLulugar: Creativity as the Catalyst for Recovery” will highlight transformations of spaces in the new normal through webinars.

Held on Zoom with Facebook livestreams every Friday of the month, sessions will be divided into four from February 4 to March 4. Below are the topics for each session: 

• Creative cities (February 4)
• Public art (February 18)
• Community projects amid quarantine (February 25)
• Creative innovations for saving the world (March 4)

Mainly intended for planning and design professionals, "Saan KaLulugar" aims to increase awareness and knowledge of creative innovations in planning and design as tools for recovery from the pandemic and other hazards.

Cinema Rehiyon: Cinema Society in World Change

Motivated to promote Philippine cinema, the National Committee on Cinema’s “Cinema Rehiyon: Cinema Society in World Change” will feature over 100 films from regions nationwide.

According to Cinema’s head, Dr. Rolando Tolentino, the project will also feature films deemed essential at a time when Philippine elections are near.

“Around 50 films, including four feature-length films, [will] be showcased in these crucial moments where you need consciousness raised in time for the elections,” he said.

“[It will also help] counter trolls and fake news which are highly prevalent in media platforms,” he added.

Apart from Philippine Cinema, Asian short films about social commentary that “hope to awaken us to a more critical kind of consciousness" will be screened.

The 14th Cinema Rehiyon will run from February 25 to March 31. More information will be shared in the coming days through their Facebook page. 

Sayaw Pinoy Goes Virtual: Dance of Hope

Now held online, “Sayaw Pinoy Goes Virtual: Dance of Hope” is intended to provide a venue for dance companies nationwide to present their works amid the pandemic.

Interestingly, performances aren't limited to the stage. From mountain tops, caves, heritage places, to even cemeteries, dancers will be performing hip hop, classical ballet, folk dance, jazz, and contemporary dance.

According to Dr. Shirley Halili-Cruz, head of the National Committee on Dance, dance companies “carefully selected their venues to enrich the performances,” highlighting that dance can thrive anywhere.

“You will witness performances of varied levels of the best choreographic concepts, dance skills, video and editing works, and production designs,” Halili-Cruz said.

“Sayaw Pinoy Goes Virtual: Dance of Hope” will run on Saturdays starting February 5 until March 5. It will be livestreamed on Dance Xchange Philippines’ Facebook and YouTube pages.

16th Tanghal National University & Community Based Theater Festival

In its 16th year, 71 groups from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and the National Capital Region (NCR) will present their works focused on showing how theater goes beyond borders despite challenges.

Performances will be divided into three weeks from February 14 to 25. Each week is focused on a theme like theater in addressing hunger or poverty and climate justice through theater.

On February 26, meanwhile, four collaborative works originally created by theater groups and artists for the festival will be featured.

All performances will be available for free on the National Committee on Dramatic Arts’ Facebook page. 

Himaya: Panitikan ng Pagbabanyuhay

This 2022, the National Committee on Literary Arts will celebrate National Arts Month by presenting a number of works tackling literature amid the pandemic. Two books will also be launched.

There will also be a tribute for late literary artists including Bienvenido Lumbera and F. Sionil Jose.

“Himaya: Panitikan ng Pagbabanyuhay,” the two-day conference, will be held on March 25 and 26.

Musikapuluan: Gems of Contemporary Music in the Different Genres

Aimed at introducing various kinds of Philippine music to listeners, the program will present a number of creations created within the last five to 10 years, including traditional ensemble, classical music, Philippine music theater, large instrumental ensemble, pop-ethnic songs, and pop music.

“Filipinos must realize that all kinds of music exist in our midst, not only pop or so-called OPM, but many other kinds in our rich artistic culture,” said Dr. Felipe De Leon Jr., head of the National Committee on Music.

“Musikapuluan: Gems of Contemporary Music in the Different Genres” will be every Sunday starting from February 27 until March 20.

Bagong Biswal 2022

On its second edition, “Bagong Biswal 2022” will be composed of five installments including a webinar series, an exhibition walk through, murals, and a workshop from around 30 to 40 artists and groups.

Streaming from March 7 to 12 at 5pm, the presentations will feature 10 to 15-minute videos introducing various topics that are focused on the visual arts ecosystem.

To know more about the projects, each committee will be presenting a sneak-peek of what they have prepared during the opening ceremony on February 4 at 4pm.

There will also be various performances including poem and story reading, film excerpts, and a virtual exhibit - all available for free on NCCA’s Facebook page. 

Make sure to mark your calendars, Kapuso! — LA, GMA News