Filipino artists underscored the importance of the National Arts Month in promoting local art amid the popularity of foreign culture in the country.  

According to Germaine Geneta, president of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Salinggawi Dance Troupe, National Arts Month encourages more people, particularly the youth, to patronize the country’s cultural heritage. 

“[S]ince a lot of the [artists] are students, [we] have the influence to encourage [our] fellow youth to be more engaged [with our] arts and culture, especially since mas uso ngayon ‘yung K-pop,” Geneta said in an interview with the Manila Forefront.  

The dance troupe was part of the Pasinaya 2024, the grand two-day arts festival that marks the opening of National Arts Month with simultaneous events from various artists in different fields.  

The troupe performed a rural suite routine and a folk performance highlighting native birds in the country on Feb. 4, the festival's second day. 

For Herminigildo Ranera, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) resident conductor, National Arts Month is the perfect avenue to effectively unite artists. 

“Kasi dito nga nagkakasama-sama lahat, nakikita ng buong bansa na nagkakaisa lahat ng mga artists,” Ranera said. “[It]s a big tribute to all artists in the Philippines.” 

John Peter Bautista, an oboist from the PPO, emphasized that events such as the Pasinaya aid in providing exposure to Filipino artists during this month.  

“[Pasinaya is] good kasi open siya to everyone,” Bautista said. “Even ‘yung mga normal na tao or hindi gano’n ka-open sa arts [ay] napapanood nila. And I think, lalo na para sa youth natin, mas maganda ‘yun na bata pa lang sila is ma-open na ‘yung minds nila na buhay ‘yung art sa Philippines.” 

The orchestra performed at the Pasinaya’s gala evening on Feb. 4, serenading audiences with pieces such as “Paraiso” by Smokey Mountain and “Tagumpay Nating Lahat” by Lea Salonga. 

According to Dennis Marasigan, the vice president and artistic director of the CCP, 45,000 people participated in this year’s festival.  

‘Very much alive’ 

Apart from Pasinaya, the Manila Clock Tower Museum mounted exhibitions celebrating the opening of National Arts Month.  

This includes the “Raising the Bar” exhibit on Feb. 5, showcasing Richard Buxani's sculptures, Ramon Orlina, the late National artist Abdulmari Imao, and his son Toym Leon Imao. 

For Buxani, a sculptor known for his brass and copper statues, National Arts Month is the one time in the year that highlights the collective gathering of Filipino artists, collectors, and galleries.  

“[I]t creates a moment [...], and it makes you feel that art in the Philippines is very much alive,” Buxani told the Manila Forefront.  

He added that compared to other countries, the arts and culture of Filipinos are more lively and heard.  

“Every time other nationalities visit us here, they are very surprised kasi parang sa kanila, tahimik ang arts nila, [pero] sa Philippines, pag ganitong panahon, ang saya-saya talaga,” he said. 

Orlina, a recipient of the 2022 Gat Andres Award, shared Buxani’s sentiment, saying that this annual commemoration for the Philippine arts allows him to share exhibits with other artists. 

“[These exhibits] very much [promote the arts] kasi hindi lang ako ‘yung naka-exhibit dito eh, may ibang artists [d]in,” Orlina said. 

Other grand upcoming events celebrating the National Arts Month include the Art Fair Philippines, which will be held on Feb. 16 to 18. 

“It’s really important that we don’t forget our own,” Riecel Jollie Forcadela, the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe vice president, said.  

“With National Arts Month and Pasinaya, we [are able to] go back to our traditions and arts that we should cultivate and exhibit to others,” she added.