Friday, February 01, 2008
2008 PHILIPPINE ARTS FESTIVAL OPENING DAY
The month-long Philippine Arts Festival officially opened today coinciding with Arts Month, February.
This year's theme is Pasakalye - Art in Public Places. Various committees of the NCCA (National Commission on Culture and the Arts) representing Architecture, Cinema, Dance, Literature, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts will travel throughout the country during the entire month of February to present free exhibits and performances to the public.
Today's opening day performances were provided by the UE Choral, Ramon Magsaysay High School Choir, Sining Bulakenyo, and the Philippine Ballet. The Manila City Hall Band and the Philippine Navy band provided live festive music. Ms. Cecile Guidote-Alvarez of the NCCA gave the welcome address.
The opening day was capped by an all-night street party featuring at least 20 bands, including FMD, UpDharmaDown, Paramita, Jeepney, Joyride, Malaya and Toyo, to name a few.
For more information on this month-long festival, visit NCCA.
posted by Señor Enrique at 7:49 PM
21 Comments:
-
Panaderos said... Great pics, Eric. I commend the NCCA for promoting Filipino arts to the public through this series of exhibitions.
In spite of our economic hardships, we still manage to have a lively arts scene. What more if we were much better of economically? I can just imagine what heights we could reach.-
Señor Enrique said...
You're right, Panaderos! Imagine our arts scene if we enjoy a healthy and robust economy.
incidentally, I heard the NCCA was so successful in drumming up corporate support for this festival, they amassed a P15 million fund for this month-long celebration :)-
said... You are unique with what you are doing...presenting our country in a way that make Pinoys who elected to remain abroad yearn for the old country with all that's good and bad about it....mostly good. Keep it up!
-
nutart said...
Wow! This is quite exciting to document and follow through! Thanks for the updates , Eric! You are quite diligent with keeping us in touch with Manila life! I can imagine for someone out of the Philippines, all your pictures can really make his/her day!
I also believe that art should really be for all! All jeepney stops as well as bus stops should have some form of art maski na gawa "lang" ng mga bata. Perhaps, a little less of those Belo ads :-)...!-
said...
Señor Enrique,
Where in Manila is this being held? I can't seem to find the place of the venue in the website.
Arriving in Manila on Monday eve and have 9 days to escape the Winter weather and bask in sunny Manila.-
said...
Eric,
You have wonderful images.
I believe the woman in the 12th picture is Ms. Cecile Guidote-Alvarez. she's the presidential adviser for cultural affairs.-
Señor Enrique said...
Thank you, Traveler!
Hmmm ... that was her name and title as listed on the official press release material folder -- quite of impressive quality published by the NCCA, too. I was handed one by its PR personnel.-
Señor Enrique said...
Hi Paolo!
Best thing to do is call the office - 527-2192, 2202 or 2210, and ask for the Pasakalye Festival Manager.
I suggest (if you have time) joing Ivan Mandy's February 7th Chinatown Food Trip Walk in time for Chinese New Year's!
http://www.oldmanilawalks.com/-
Señor Enrique said...
Thanks, Bernadette!
Yes, I agree with you.
By the way, have you seen this guy's blog? Check out his ideas:
http://www.metroplexed.blogspot.com/-
Señor Enrique said...
Thank you very much, BertN. Glad to know you appreciate the images that I present of Manila :)
Enjoy the weekend!-
said...
Thank you very much, Señor Enrique.
Will do as you suggested.
Paolo-
Señor Enrique said...
I'm sure you'll have fun in Chinatown with Ivan.
Enjoy and ingat, Paolo!-
Ebb Tide said...
Wish I am there to see this local art festival. Look like I am missing a lot of the present cultural and art festival. However thanks for posting the event on your blog.
-
nutart said...
saw the blog, Eric! He could perhaps have this dream come through---but it would take lots of coordination and yes, political will :-). I recall there was a time (during my college time) when Sinclair's billboard ad was a reproduction of Malang's artwork. Or was that Boysen? There was also a mural contest for artists to be done for the Luneta walls. Incentives are always needed like nice pay for the artists to create interesting murals for the metropolis:-)---trabaho lang din naman ito. But then, aesthetics is usually second priority for business and infrastructure. That is my observation.
-
Señor Enrique said...
You're right, Bernadette, incentives, I'm sure, would be greatly appreciated by our local artists. And yes, murals all over the metroplois!
-
Señor Enrique said...
The local art scene, Ebb Tide, has been gaining greater momentum during the past couple of years. I think it may have to do with the fact that most folks have been becoming much more appreciative of our local talents and their works :)
-
Dr.J said...
Thank you for the most informative blog about the Philippines.
-
said...
Hi Eric,
If I'm not mistaken, photo at the bottom is that of NCCA Exec. Director, Ramon Magsaysay Awardee and PETA stalwart Cecile Guidote-Alvarez. :)-
Señor Enrique said...
Thank you, too, Dr. J, for the accolade, but I basically focus on Manila; not the entire Philippines, though :) Today Manila, tomorrow the Philippines ... perhaps, in the not too distant future ... hehehe.
Very much appreciate your visits!-
Señor Enrique said...
Could it be possible, Karissa, that she was in an artsy and creative mood that she decided to change her name to Vilma just for the duration of Arts Month? Hehehe...
But all kidding aside, love her personality -- very warm and affable! Just the perfect disposition to have when dealing with artists ... and she has a bunch under her charge :)-
Señor Enrique said...
Okay, since my culturati adviser extraordinaire called me about it, I had now corrected her name.
