The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is putting the spotlight on creativity and inclusivity in this year’s National Arts Month (NAM), and they’ve got Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray on board to make it epic.
Combining traditional and modern approaches, they’re on a mission to make Philippine culture the next big thing for the youth.
With the theme “Ani ng Sining, Bayang Malikhain,” NAM 2024 shouts out that the rich artistic output of the Filipino people comes from collective imagination rather than from individual aspirations.
One of the major highlights of this year’s celebration is the Sayaw Pinoy National TikTok Dance Challenge which seeks to make the NAM Festival 2024 song titled “Ani ng Sining, Bayang Malikhain” the next hot dance trend.
Regional champions from the four island clusters (NCR, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) will be acknowledged in this inclusive competition, welcoming participants from all corners of the archipelago.
During the launching ceremonies at the Metropolitan Theater, Catriona Gray, who serves as NCCA’s ambassador, emphasized the importance of art as a vessel for sharing our history and building connections.
The opening ceremony of NAM 2024 is scheduled for February 23 at Rizal High School in Pasig City, targeting 14,000 high school students to promote Filipino artistic creations through performances, workshops, and talks.
For his part, NCCA executive director Oscar Casaysay expressed that art is a universal language that makes us more human. Various art fairs, touring performances, and workshops are set to take place in different locations. The Sayaw Pinoy National TikTok Dance Challenge will also be held to popularize the NAM Festival 2024 song.
Meanwhile, this year’s thrust for the Literary Arts seeks to emphasize oral traditions. Tanghal Akda goes beyond academics, exploring tales from written literature in Surat Tanghal. Visual Arts commissioner Dr. Dennis Montera highlighted the Bagong Biswal program, creating new expressions in safe spaces.
The National Arts Month celebration in February is mandated by law through Presidential Proclamation No. 683 issued in 1991.
