PHL's First Sentro Rizal Created by NCCA

On the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Jose Rizal, The National Commission for Culture and the Arts formally opened the country's very first Sentro Rizal at the NCCA Building in Intramuros, Manila on June 28, 2011.

The event was witnessed by NCCA Board Commissioners, diplomats, and National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose.

Senator Edgardo J. Angara, who delivered the keynote message, said that the Sentro Rizal would greatly help Overseas Filipino Workers who are the "invisible minority" abroad.  "Sentro Rizal will be invaluable in fostering international exchange, dialogue and understanding. Today, we have the capability to bring the greatness of our heritage to the world."

Last June 12, Angara himself was in Madrid, Spain to open the first Sentro Rizal abroad. The second Sentro Rizal outside the country was opened in Prague on June 19.

The creation of Sentro Rizal is in accordance with Sec. 42 of the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 or R.A. No. 10066, which specifies a center " whose main purpose is the promotion of Philippine arts, culture and language throughout the world."

The Sentro Rizal, envisioned as the Philippine counterpart of France's Alliance Française, Spain's Instituto Cervantes, and Germany's Goethe-Institut, is expected to offer Filipino language courses for children and adults, as well as exhibits, small concerts, poetry reading, Philippine cuisine lessons in all Sentro Rizal branches.

The creation of Sentro Rizal at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts building is seen to encourage the creation of other Sentro Rizal centers not only throughout the country, but also in other countries "where there are children of overseas Filipino workers who need to be educated about their roots, as well as developed countries where there are large Filipino communities."

Download the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009

A roundtable discussion followed the opening of the Sentro Rizal on the following topics: "The Role of the NCCA in the 21st Century" by NCCA Chair Felipe M. de Leon, Jr.; "The Role of the Cultural Worker of the 21st Century" by Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera; "The Role of the Artist of the 21st Century" by F. Sionil Jose.

Also, an exhibit of oil works by Filipino artist Leonardo Cruz was opened at the NCCA Gallery. The said works depict key scenes in Jose Rizal’s "Noli Me Tangere," and were originally exhibited in 2007 at the Rizal Shrine in Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila, during the 146th birth anniversary of Jose Rizal.

Local libraries, offices, and groups with the capacity to create a Sentro Rizal and independently undertake its stated goals are encouraged to open such a center. For details on setting up a Sentro Rizal in your localities, please get in touch with the office of Ms. Marlene Ruth Sanchez, NCCA Deputy Executive Director at info@ncca.gov.ph or at tel. (02) 5272193.

Busy April 2010! Dance Xchange 2010; Boracay

I had a wonderfully interesting and busy April!

One, I took on the job of being a liaison officer (in plain words, first-rate "yaya") to the delegation from Japan (the Senju Kabuki Dance Company) as part of the 2nd International Dance Workshop and Festival,” and two, I participated in the teambuilding of the office I work for.

The first was held in Capiz, Roxas City from April 15-20, 2010. It was the first time I took on such a job, which included meeting them at the airport upon arrival and sending them off as well. The “Dance Xchange 2010 was organized by the National Committee on Dance of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in celebration of the International Dance Day and in accordance with Presidential Proclamation No. 154, declaring every last week of April as the “National Dance Week.”

This huge event was participated in by 10 foreign dance groups including the Big Dance Company of England, Senju Dance Company of Japan, Dancemode Studio of Hong Kong, Mira Dance Company of Korea, Badan Budaya Univarsiti of Malaysia, Aswara Dancers of Malaysia, SIFAS of Singapore, Sri-Lankan Dancers, Lan Yang Dancers of Taiwan, the American Dance Center of Chicago and the Philippine dance companies from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and NCR, namely Lahing Batangan Dance Troupe, University of Cordillera Dance Troupe, Next to Innocence, Sinukwan Kapampangan, Poseidon Dance Theatre, Samleyaw Dance Theatre, Double J Fullforce, USA Kawilihan Dance Company, Madayaw Cultural Ensemble, Capitol University Dance Troupe, Quezon City Ballet of the Halili-Cruz School of Ballet, PNU Kislap Sining Dance Troupe, TUP Kalinangan Dance Troupe, Professional Dance Teachers Association, Powerdance, Hwa Yi Ethnic Dance Center, and by more than a thousand workshop participants from the different parts of the Philippines.

What was amazing about this event was the outreach programs each dance group did aside from the dance workshops they conducted for the local participants. I had to match the energy of my group, whose kabuki dance session was warmly received by local dance teachers, as we transferred from one venue to another. It was quite a high to see locals eagerly attending to see all these different dances from different countries. The high point of the event was the closing ceremonies where each dance group performed another dance group's dance. Imagine my Japanese group performing the Singapore dance and so on for the rest of the groups!

A video clip of this event can be viewed at the facebook account of The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (I suggest you click "LIKE" to get faster updates from the NCCA).

Here is the video:

And here are just two of my hundred photos :) from the said event:

The Senju Kabuki Dance Company

Big Dance Company (England)

Dagway Sigmahanon

Here is a sample of the Dagway Sigmahanon performance:

The VMA Poseidon Dance Theater

The second major event I participated in was the NCCA Teambuilding in Boracay. Wow! It was a blast and we all worked together towards clarifying our thrust for the next five years or so.

Here is just one of my hundred :) other photos from Boracay:

NAWAN: Peace Conference, Kalinaw-Mindanaw in Davao

Let me just put in this commercial:)

http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca/announcements/announcement.php?i=1737
Peace Conference Nawan: Kalinaw-Mindanaw in Davao City!
NCCA 11.18.2009
The Inter-committee members from the Mindanao cluster of the NCCA and sectoral leaders from the region initiates and organizes a conference titled "Nawan: Kalinaw-Mindanaw" Advancing Co-initiatives for Peace in Mindanao in Regency Inn in Davao City from Nov. 20-22, 2009.

An exhibit of art works expressing the shared aspirations of the culturally diverse peoples of Mindanao opens the conference.

The project also features a simultaneous film showing event and live performance showcase, including a book fair.

The project aims to mobilize active support and participation from major stakeholders in the areas of culture, arts, and peace-building initiatives in Mindanao.

The keynote address will be given by Grace Rebollos, President of Western Mindanao State University.

For the first day, paper presenters are Col. Ernesto Ruiz Aradanas, Brigade Commander of the 603rd IB at Camp Iranun (formerly Camp Abubakar) in Barira, Maguindanao; and Shamira Gotoc, editor of http://www.clickmindanao.org. Panel discussants to these papers include Era Colmo-Espana, tribal chieftain in Kidapawan; Mayor Alex Tomawis of Barira, Maguindanao; and Fr. Rey Jaectin of Pagadian City. Also presenting her paper is Irene Santiago, chair of the Mindanao Commission on Women followed by Dr. Mario Agujam of Mindanao State University-General Santos City. The sharing of experiences will be lead by Ma. Cecilia "Geejay" Arriola-Langlois of Mebuyan, visual artist Cris Rollo, Tausug artist Edwin Tantalie, playwright and filmmaker Arnel Mardoquio, Alma Uy, chair of the Tagum City Tourism Council, and Datu Docris Daug, Tagabawa local chieftain. The second day begins with the presentation of the draft conference output for incorporation into the sub-regional planning workshops of the participants. The conference is aimed at creating a strategic development and action plan for advancing arts and culture to achieve peace in Mindanao. At the conclusion of the conference, NCCA Commissioner Ricky de Ungria will lead in the reading of the NAWAN declaration crafted by the participants, capped by a solidarity message from NCCA Executive Director Cecile Guidote-Alvarez.

The exhibit, titled “Hulagway ug Kaamguhan: Dalit sa Kamindanawan,” shows traditional and contemporary visual arts in Mindanao, along with a film festival showcasing works by Mindanao filmmakers that celebrate the multicultural complexity of the homeland through “Tan-aw, Lantaw Mindanaw: Cinemagining Mindanao.”

In the evenings, participants are enjoined to watch CCP-Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Madonna Brava ng Mindanao,” Don Pagusara’s adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s “Mother Courage and Her Children,” a searing indictment of war; traditional performances of the Teduray community of Maguindanao; and the showcase performance of contemporary dance artists from General Santos and Koronadal.

Nawan is sponsored/funded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. It is organized also by the Filipino-Chinese Heritage and Cultural Society, Inc., of Davao City.

Conference Director is Nestor Horfilla, executive director of Mindulani, the cultural network in Mindanao.

For further details, please email Mr. Nestor Horfilla at nthorfilla@yahoo.com.ph