Once an actor, always an actor.
Or more precisely, once an artist, always an artist.
This is the equation being lived by artist-lawmaker Christopher de Venecia of the 4th District of Pangasinan to promote national arts and culture.
Rep. de Venecia spearheaded with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and its Arts Education Committee through its Audience Development Division the recently concluded “Himig Himbing” outreach program in Dagupan City in Pangasinan Province.
The former child star has toed the line of the CCP Corporate Communications in culminating the program launch for reintroducing indigenous lullabies to contemporary audiences and developing nurturers that are grounded in our Philippine songs and hele.
Now on its touring phase, added the CCP Publicity Department, “Himig Himbing” brings together music, film, literature, visual arts, performance, and dance through its workshop and show components.
The goal of the project is for participants and audiences to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the collected lullabies and how these songs are linked to their life roles.
In partnership with the Office of Pangasinan District IV Rep. de Venecia, Himig Himbing: Oyayin Niyanakan was a part of the Galila Arts Festival, Pangasinan’s contribution to and participation in the Creative Industries Month. It featured two workshops: the “Himig Himbing at Ako: Creative Expression Workshop and the Rumorolyong Himig: Film Anlong Workshop” held at the Dagupan City National High School.
“Capacity building through arts is really one of the tools that we need to improve in our trade. These workshops will surely inspire the many teachers, parents, and nurturers present, so that they can pass these lessons down to the children. Patuloy nating payayabungin ang sining at kultura ng bansa (We will continue to enhance arts and culture in the country),” said Hon. de Venecia.
The “Himig Himbing at Ako” workshop involved music, literature, and visual arts. The workshop was facilitated by physician and children’s book author Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, ethnomusicologist Sol Trinidad, and artwork and book designer Beth Parrocha.
On the other hand, said CCP CorpCom, the Rumorolyong Himig: Film Anlong Workshop, or film poetry workshop, was facilitated by filmmaker Christopher Gozum who hails from Pangasinan. He directed the music video for Ligliway Ateng, one of the featured music videos at the show component of Himig Himbing: Oyayin Niyanakan.
These resource persons guided the participants, geared toward nurturers (parents, teachers, breastfeeding mothers, social workers, guidance counselors, pre-service teachers, among others), as they listened, watched, created, and expressed themselves through art.
The regional launch of “Himig Himbing” culminated with a special performance, showcasing folk songs and dances of Pangasinan. The highlight was the film screening of the eight music videos of “Himig Himbing” lullabies.
Directed by renowned filmmakers based on the music arrangement by musical director and arranger Krina Cayabyab, the featured lullabies were Ligliway Ateng by Christopher Gozum, Tingkatulog by Thop Nazareno, Bata Alimahi by Arden Rod Condez, Ili Ili Tulog Anay by Lawrence Fajardo, O Matas A Banwa by Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan, Dungdungwen Kan To by Mes de Guzman, Katurog Na Nonoy by Alvin Yapan, and Lubi Lubi by Jerrold Tarog.
“Ang ‘Himig Himbing’ ay humuhubog sa ating musmos na alaala at patuloy na yumayakap sa ating pagtanda. Layunin ng proyektong ito na ipadama ang makabagong henerasyon na muling mahumaling sa himig na binuo ng kalinga at pagmamahal, at buhayin at ipalaganap ulit ang heleng sariling atin (It molds our tender memories and continues to embrace old age. It is also aimed to influence the current generations to patronize the hymns that are created by care and compassion and to awaken and spread again our own lullabies),” said Himig Himbing project director and CCP supervising arts and culture officer Lino Matalang Jr.
“Himig Himbing” highlights the cultural and social importance of traditional lullabies in Philippine society. Since its launch in 2022, the CCP continues to embrace, promote, and redefine diverse Filipino lullabies from various regions.
The next leg of “Himig Himbing” started September 26 to 27, 2024 at the University of Antique.
For additional information on “Himig Himbing,” please visit the CCP Arts Education Programs Facebook page or CCP’s official social media accounts on Facebook, X, and Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
(Boy Villasanta with reports from CCP Corporate Communications)
Photo Caption:
Rep. Christopher de Venecia (Photo Credit: Cultural Center of the Philippines/Kiko Cabuena)
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