PASAY CITY, April 3, 2025 – The Okada Foundation Inc. (OFI) has strengthened its commitment to Philippine cultural arts through a newly forged partnership with the Philippine Art Awards Foundation, Inc. (PAAFI), aiming to nurture young and aspiring Filipino artists.
Also in attendance in the MOA signing was Irene Marcos-Araneta, who serves as Chairperson to PAAFI, as well as Chair to Young Musicians Development Organization (YMDO) and Vice Chair of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists Foundation, Inc. (NAMCYA).
Last month, OFI committed a P50-million grant to NAMCYA and YMDO in support of Filipino musicians.
OFI President James Lorenzana underscored OFI’s vision of providing young artists with a platform to express themselves and gain the recognition they deserve. “Our goal is to give aspiring artists the opportunity to showcase their talents and contribute to the country’s rich artistic heritage,” he added.
As part of its ongoing efforts, PAAFI also runs the “Art Reach” program, which provides public school teachers with resources to cultivate students’ appreciation for the visual arts.
Lorenzana also recognized the contributions of President Cid Reyes, Cedie Lopez Vargas, Executive Director of the Lopez Memorial Museum, and the entire PAAFI board, noting their commitment to promoting Filipino arts and culture. “Their support has been invaluable in making this collaboration a reality,” he said.
“On behalf of the Philippine Art Awards Foundation I want to thank Okada Foundation for their support for the Filipino Arts” shared Reyes who underlined his excitement to work together with people who share the same vision.
OFI’s donation will help fund upcoming Philippine Art Awards competitions for the 2025-2026 and 2027-2028 seasons, encompassing both regional and national-level events. The initiative aims to provide emerging Filipino artists with greater opportunities to showcase their work on a larger stage.
“This is just one step in OFI’s broader vision to support and uplift every facet of Filipino cultural arts, and we look forward to working closely with PAAFI to nurture the country’s next generation of artistic talent,” Lorenzana concluded.
About the Okada Foundation, Inc.:
The Okada Foundation, Inc. is committed to providing assistance to three key sectors, namely, Education Infrastructure, Environment and Health, and Cultural Heritage. It, likewise, maintains working partnerships with like-minded organizations to provide services for the underprivileged and marginalized sectors of society.
To this end, Okada Foundation, Inc. has established itself as one of the most generous organizations in the country, undertaking numerous projects to uplift lives and communities. For more information on the initiatives of Okada Foundation, Inc., visit the Okada Manila site at: https://www.okadamanila.com/.