February is the Philippines' National Arts Month.
What a way to celebrate it with a bang.
Every artist in town is alive and excited with the celebration.
On the Cultural Center of the Philippines' (CCP) homefront, the National Arts Month is equivalent to Pasinaya.
"Pasinaya" is a vernacular term which means "start of a celebration."
It is fiesta time at the CCP the whole of February for it isn't only a Love Month but an art season as well with a multi-arts festival.
Not only that.
Pasinaya 2024 isn't only happening in Metro Manila but in the entire country as well.
"Pasinaya is a national activity. It is meant to be celebrated in the whole of LuzViMinda or in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao," exclaimed Michelle Nikki Junia, CCP Ad Interim President.
In this year's Pasinaya, every nook and cranny of the CCP grounds is filled with fun, artistic and cultural activities, workshops and entertainment.
While the Main Building of the Center is being rehabilitated that would be completed in 2025 and reopened in 2026, its various venues aren't available for showcasing its productions.
Instead, CCP extension performance halls like the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (TIG), also known as the Black Box Theater and the Liwasang KaLIKHAsan's Bamboo Pavilion are used for gigs and other presentations.
The front lawn and the various streets within the grounds of the Center are also utilized.
If necessary, the Metropolitan Theater and Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati are tapped to showcase Pasinaya and other future productions of the state agency on arts and culture.
Still, to spread out the national impact of Pasinaya, Michelle Nikki said that she is continuing the advocacies of her predecessors in bringing CCP concept productions to the regions.
"My term sees a more dynamic participation of the provinces in the advancement of the national arts and culture," stressed Junia.
Pasinaya 2024 brings Manila productions like the "Palihan (Workshop)" and "Palabas (Showcase)" to various parts of the provinces even if there are homegrown cultural shows that are mounted.
Pasinaya 2024 partners with museums in imperial Manila and the regions like the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Arts in Iloilo City and Tagum City in Davao del Norte.
As is, the CCP hierarchy is one that is bringing arts and culture to the grassroots.
"After escaping the confines of the pandemic in last year's 'Pasinaya Piglas,' the new partnership with ILOMOCA and Tagum City pushes the boundaries. The CCP will always find ways to provide spaces for our artists and cultural groups to showcase their talents and create new audiences who will participate in art making and appreciate the best that the Philippines has to offer," said Dennis Marasigan, CCP Vice President and Artistic Director.
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