In my travels across the Philippines, I have always been captivated by the culturally rich regions of Mindanao. I recall a trip with the Department of Tourism to South Cotabato, where we hiked for hours and found ourselves stranded in the mountains, amid a village inhabited by an indigenous group from Mindanao.
The villagers greeted us warmly, offering local food and providing a place to rest in their traditional dwellings. The next day, their hospitality continued as they shared their music and culture with us.
On another trip to Lake Sebu, I had the privilege of meeting the late Bai Lang Dulay, a Gawad ng Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) awardee and learning about the intricate process of weaving T’nalak, a traditional textile. Meanwhile, a visit to Dapitan allowed me to trace the historical footsteps of National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal, immersing myself in the region’s rich past.
The culturally vibrant regions of Mindanao offer much to explore and experience. Fostering cultural awareness and expanding public engagement in the arts requires a strong network of collaboration between local communities. This is where the Kaisa sa Sining (KSS) program, an initiative by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), plays a crucial role.
Launched in 2014 through its Cultural Exchange Department (CED), the CCP Kaisa sa Sining (KSS) program aims to strengthen collaboration and foster deeper connections among regional educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, and local government units across the country. The program’s network collectively promotes artistic excellence, preserves Philippine heritage, and facilitates meaningful cultural exchanges among diverse stakeholders.
For Mindanaoan cultural workers and artists Jun Jamero, Lolito Pontillas, and Leonardo Cariño, building connections and linkages is just as vital as the creative process itself.
“The CCP is the only cultural agency with a deeply rooted program dedicated to engaging and empowering local communities for four and a half decades. Through the CCP KSS, LGUs, NGOs, and academic institutions can collaborate and work together,” said Jamero, executive director of the Musikahan sa Tagum Foundation Inc.
Ambahanon cultural development officer and artistic director Leonardo Cariño
As one of the pioneering members of the CCP KSS, the Musikahan sa Tagum Foundation Inc. has developed innovative programs that have helped transform Tagum City into a thriving cultural hub. One of the city’s most anticipated events, the Musikahan sa Tagum Festival, was born from this partnership.
In 2024, Tagum City served as one of the satellite venues for the CCP Pasinaya, the largest multi-arts festival in the country—a milestone Jamero hopes to replicate in 2025.
“This partnership with the CCP has had a profound impact on the lives of many people in Tagum. The CCP KSS has become an integral part of the city’s cultural landscape. Each year brings new opportunities for growth as the CCP KSS continues to share its programs and projects with our organization, fostering ongoing development in Tagum,” Jamero shared.
Through the CCP KSS program, Jamero and his organization offer workshops and training sessions to develop aspiring artists and cultural workers while fostering connections among KSS member organizations.
Pontillas credits the KSS program for shaping him into a dedicated cultural worker and advocate. St. Francis Xavier College (SFXC) in Agusan del Sur, where he serves as associate dean, partnered with CCP after hosting the 2017 Ugnayan sa Sining production of Gintong Alab sa Silangan. SFXC remains the CARAGA Region’s sole higher education institution in the KSS network.
In 2023, SFXC hosted the 13th Kutitap multi-arts camp, a week-long event for indigenous children to celebrate Philippine indigenous arts, promote creativity, and instill positive values.
“Without CCP KSS, our students and the San Francisco community might not experience internationally acclaimed performances typically shown in Manila,” Pontillas said.
He added, “Many government programs on culture and arts don’t reach the grassroots. Through CCP KSS, we access workshops like arts for healing, which educate both students and the community. My goal is to raise awareness of culture and arts, and I’m grateful CCP KSS has made this possible for the younger generation.”
“Prior to KSS, the arts and culture scene in South Cotabato was already vibrant as a provincial capital,” said Leonardo Cariño, Cultural Development Officer and Artistic Director of Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges (RMMC) Teatro Ambahanon. “Koronadal stages several festivals,” he added, “even hosting the CIOFF (International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts) on two occasions.”
Jamero, Pontillas, and Cariño take great pride in having the CCP as a partner. “The CCP KSS will endure as long as the management continues the work begun by the brilliant minds who initiated this program, especially CED’s department manager Chinggay Bernardo,” observed Pontillas.
Jamero agreed, saying, “Building a network with members across the entire archipelago is no small feat. I would like to extend my congratulations to everyone behind this remarkable endeavor.”
In his capacity as cultural officer and artistic director of several cultural groups, including Teatro Ambahanon, Cariño considers the Kaisa sa Sining partnership an opportunity for vibrant cultural exchange. “It offers partnerships and easy access to other KSS members,” he said, “making intercultural agency exchange seamless.”
To date, the CCP KSS network has grown to 73 organizations across the country: 27 in Luzon, 19 in the Visayas, and 27 in Mindanao. In recent years, the cooperation and exchanges between CCP and the KSS network have become increasingly dynamic.
