Before we go ballistic in checking out how much are chocolate and roses, stuffed toys, booking in a fancy restaurant or even securing a room or suite for a romantic tryst, there is more to this month than just kisses and I love yous.
We all dig St. Valentine, Cupid and love his arrows, and Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, love and lust but there is another February month-long celebration that we must all embrace and support, and that is the National Arts Month, a flagship project of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
This month-long celebration is two-decades and five summers old and if we do not want to experience the ire and wrath of the muses, we must give the Arts Month all the appreciation it richly deserves.
Just recently, the latest batch of National Arts Ambassadors was presented to the public during a press conference held at the NCCA Building in Intramuros, Manila. The major, major ambassadress for the Arts this time is the Philippines’ fourth Ms. Universe, Catriona Gray.
“I believe artists always create with intention. In my pursuit to conquer my universe, I always wanted to showcase the beauty and the intricate uniqueness of the Philippines to the universe platform, whether it be to our heritage, our art, our history, our textiles, our music, or our dance. And in doing so, I felt that as an ambassador in my own right, representing the Philippines, I was able to play the part in having the new generation sit up and take note, and to appreciate what the Philippines has uniquely offer,” the “best Miss Universe ever” said in her speech.
“It has become my personal advocacy, aside from advocating for education and for HIV-AIDS… to instill a sense of burning pride for our country of the Philippines to the new generation. My love for our arts and culture was not something that I was born to due to my mixed heritage. It was something that was grown, learned, and embodied. And since the theme of the National Arts Month this February 2020 is Ani ng Sining—The Harvest of the Arts,” she added.
Catriona concluded her speech by saying that the harvest starts with planting and sowing a seed, so she fervent hopes that we can instill and grow a fierce love and passion for the Philippine arts and culture in each and every one of us.
“And in doing so, I know that the world will sit up, take notice and give us a standing ovation,” she ended.
Catriona delivered her speech in true Miss Universe fashion, which received thunderous applause from her adoring public gathered inside the NCCA lobby.
It cannot be denied that in person, not only was she statuesque, hers is a beauty that was goddess-like. Thus, I cannot help but wonder, if Sandro Boticelli, the great renaissance master were alive and is reincarnated in another person’s body this millennial age, he would definitely make Catriona his muse for a new The Birth of Venus painting.
Catriona also graced the NAM ceremony in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
“So wonderful to see so many young people coming together to support our local arts. Makes me so hopeful for our younger generations to take pride in our Filipino Arts and makes me so honored to share my advocacy as Ambassador of the Arts,” she said of her Palawan experience.
Meanwhile, for music, there were two celebrity ambassadresses, Julie Ann San Jose and KZ Tandingan.
During the press conference, Julie Ann enthused: “I for giving me the opportunity to contribute to our country in my own little way, and this will actually encourage me even more to inspire more people, especially the youth, in pursuing their passion.”
For KZ, this is her second year as NAM Music Ambassador. The chanteuse’s wish is to expose the youth with the many aspects of Philippine arts and culture and with her musical compositions: “I hope my songs’ mirror the artistry, creativity, the love and passion of the Filipinos.”
She graced the opening celebration of the Arts Month held at the Rizal Park.
With the celebration of the February Arts Month in full gear and throttle, all together now, let us shout with pride, “Mabuhay ang sining! Mabuhay ang kulturang Filipino.”