At the same time that Oscar Casaysay, an artist from Davao City was appointed Executive Director of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the agency’s National Arts Month (NAM) was launched through the slogan “Sining ng Pag-Asa,” translated as “Art of Hope.”
The blurb is a sort of a springboard using the arts rising from the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Casaysay is a committed artist who wanted to bridge and to blend politics and arts as a means of improving the working conditions of his fellow artists.
In his speech, Oscar said he’s excited to start his work with NCCA to foster unity among artists for the betterment of the field.
Meanwhile, February as NAM ushers in “Sining ng Pag-Asa” with various activities—mostly online (but if the situation in the pandemic warrants it, in-person performances remain an option)—from the seven arts, namely literature, theater, music, dance, cinema, visual arts, architecture and allied arts to be presented by their respective commissions.
Some of the activities at random are Cinemarehiyon, a project of the Cinema Division headed by Roland Tolentino will showcase films that are representatives of the various regions in the country; University of the Visayas (UV) Choir which recently won in Busan will perform; Silay City Rondalla group will present their strings wizardry etc.
All these happen in the whole of February some of them extended to March.