Proclamation No. 683 of 1991 declares the month of February National Arts Month in the country every year. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts invites the public to participate in the various online events to celebrate “Sining ng Pag-asa” through its seven different subcommissions: architecture and allied arts, cinema, dance, dramatic arts, literary arts, music and visual arts.
Music enthusiasts can look forward to “Musikapuluan: Gems of Contemporary Music in the Different Genres” in which works composed in the last five to ten years are center stage. With a focus on the propagation of various kinds contemporary Filipino pieces, the Committee of Music seeks to promote the richness and diversity of Philippine artistic culture from all over the archipelago.
In his presentation, Dr. Felipe de Leon, Jr., head of the National Committee of Music, shares that, “Perception of the national feeling through music can unify national consciousness. That’s why national unity is as much a musical task as [it is] a political task.”
The month’s performance highlights include:
Musical theatre: excerpts from Ryan Cayabyab’s “El Filibusterismo”, Apo Hiking Society’s “Eto Na Po Sila”, and a Waray Musicale led by composer Lucien Letaba
Choir: Young Voices of the Philippines, UV Chorale, and the Davao Del Sur State College Minstrels
Orchestra and Symphonic Bands: Pundaquit of Coke Bolipata, Palo Ambassador Symphonic Band, and Hiyas ng Bulacan Provincial Band
Pop/Alternative Bands: Munimuni and Kantaw Mindanao
Rondalla: Padayon Rondalla and Kabataang Silay Rondalla
Okir De Leon’s “Piano Sonata No. 1”
“Musikapuluan” begins on the last Sunday of February and continues in March. For more updates, visit the NCCA on Facebook.