FEBRUARY is known as the month of love across the globe. But in some countries, the second month of the year is not just about Valentine’s Day and sweethearts.
Among many festivities and celebrations, February is also the month of arts in the Philippines where the exceptional and awe-inspiring creativity of different artists are showcased.
February was declared the National Arts Month by the virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 683, which was promulgated by former President Corazon Aquino in 1991.
This year’s National Arts Month’s theme is “Ani ng Sining, Bayang Malikhain,” which highlights that “the bountiful harvest of a Filipino creative nation is derived from collective human imagination, not just individual aspirations,” according to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
If you want to satisfy your creative vision, here are some activities that you might want to consider adding into your to-do list for the National Arts Month:
Join Pasinaya 2024
In its 20th year, the “Pasinaya: The CCP Open House Festival” will have a variety of activities this month which will be held not only in the metro but also in several parts of Visayas and Mindanao.
With this year’s theme “Sulong,” the multi-arts festival aims to provide a space for various artists and cultural groups to showcase their talents, said Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) artistic director Dennis Marasigan.
Attendees may enjoy a variety of activities related to music, theater, dance, visual arts, film, and literature. Among these are workshops to be led by artists, teachers, and other resource persons who will give further knowledge about different art disciplines.
They will also be shuttled to different galleries, museums and art spaces. The festival will also offer unlimited shows featuring more than 3,000 artists from different art fields, among others.
The “Pasinaya: The CCP Open House Festival” will be held from February 3 to 4 at the CCP Complex and its partner museum, as well as in selected venues in Iloilo City and Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
Attend Art Fair Philippines 2024
Art Fair Philippines is returning this year and it is offering access to exhibitions by over 55 participating galleries both locally and internationally.
Since its foundation in 2013, Art Fair Philippines has been a platform for Filipinos to exhibit and sell modern and contemporary Philippine visual art. It aims to make art accessible to everyone, especially enthusiasts.
Among the highlights of this year’s event is the “10 Days of Art,” which will offer public art, exhibits, live performances, and immersive shows around the Makati Central Business District, with participation by galleries, museums, and other establishments that will feature Philippine contemporary art.
The “10 Days of Art” will be held from February 9 to 18, ahead of the Art Fair Philippines itself.
The fair will be held from February 16 to 18 at The Link at Ayala Center in Makati City. Ticket prices range from P300 to P750.
Enjoy murals along Pasig River
Art can be found beyond museums, exhibitions, and other art spaces. One of the locations that perhaps not many people could imagine finding art is along the Pasig River.
The public may satisfy their creative eyes with the sights of colorful and vibrant murals painted on the revetment walls of the river.
What’s more fun is that they can enjoy the view through riding the Pasig Ferry Service (PFS), which is offered to Filipinos for free, until further notice.
The water-based transportation will take commuters to 13 ferry stations from Pinagbuhatan Station in Pasig City to Escolta Station in Manila.
The PFS operates from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday to Saturday.
Witness Korean traditional paintings
If you are a Hallyu fan and want to explore more about South Korea, there’s a free art exhibit that will showcase Korean traditional paintings.
As part of its celebration of the 75th year of friendship between the Philippines and South Korea, the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines launched a digital exhibit called “Endless Landscape: Digitally Reimagined Korean Art.”
This spotlights Korean cultural heritage and connects the Philippines and South Korea “through a unique intersection between the past and present.”
The “Endless Landscape: Digitally Reimagined Korean Art” exhibit showcases animated reinterpretations of four paintings from the Joseon Dynasty.
It kicked off on January 19 and will end on June 29, 2024. Those interested may attend the exhibition on the 5th floor of the KCC building in Taguig City, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Attend Bobapalooza 2024
With tons of events happening this February, it would be nice to cap off the National Arts Month with a bang by attending Bobapalooza 2024.
The music and arts festival, which will be held for two days, has revealed their lineup of performers this year with over a dozen of local and international artists.
The roster of artists on the first day of the event include Pale Waves, Bad Suns, Rico Blanco, Autotelic, Juan Karlos, The Itchyworms, ONE CLICK STRAIGHT, The Sundown, Nobuta, Join The Club, and Syd Hartha.
Meanwhile, among the performers for the second day include Atarashii Gakko, The Band Camino, Chicosci, Urbandub, December Avenue, Sandwich, CHNDTR, Faspitch, Tanya Markova, and Bita and the Botflies.
There will be a surprise local headliner which will be announced on February 25.
Bobapalooza 2024 will also feature live art by EGG FIASCO, Blic, Distort Monsters, SYN, mimaaaaaaaaw, CHNO, and Isad Diwa. There will also be a Pixel Land, an art market, a food bazaar, an arcadia, and a Friend Zone.
Ticket prices start at P4,599.
The music and arts festival will run from February 24 to 25 at the Filinvest Events Grounds in Alabang.
