RP hosts the 4th Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts

The Philippines has been declared by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as its Culture Capital for 2010 to 2011. As the region’s culture capital, the Philippines is tasked to host the 4th Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts (AMCA) and the 6th Senior Officials Meeting for Culture and Arts (SOMCA) in Clark, Pampanga in March 2010. In February, as a prelude, an Asean puppetry festival and conference is scheduled for the last week of the month a part of the International Festival of Arts.

Along with the said meetings, the Philippines will also host the 4th ASEAN Festival of Arts (AFA). With the theme “The Best of the ASEAN: From Ancestral Roots to New Artistic Routes of Expression Mobilizing Cultural Diversity for the UN-MDGs,” the festival will highlight the creativity and foster the exchange of ideas among the best artists from ASEAN countries. Each ASEAN member will showcase one of their country’s finest works in their chosen field of art (theater, music, literature, film, or dance).

As one of its contribution to the festival, the Philippines will be restaging “Baler sa Puso Ko,” an original zarzuela, with libretto by Dr. Isagani Cruz and music by Lutgardo Labad, that reflects the wealth of heritage, and the 400-year history of the town of Baler.

Performances for the AFA will be held at the Centennial Amphitheater of the Nayong Pilipino sa Clark Expo (NCPE). Meanwhile, film showings, workshops, poetry readings, and book launchings will take place at NCPE’s dormitory, arcadia, and library.

The Interagency Committee is jointly led by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alberto Romulo, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) headed by Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary Vilma Labrador, with the support of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The aforementioned events serve as a continuing effort in promoting common identity and diversity, enhancing cultural heritage and tourism, and strengthening ties among members of the ASEAN. The successful projection of the ASEAN in the global culturescape through the Philippine Collective showcases the Philippines' rich tradition and talents.

With the Philippine International Arts Festival 2010 Ani ng Sining celebration this coming February as a prelude, NCCA Executive Director and Philippine ITI President Cecile Guidote Alvarez, along with CDC Chairman Benny Ricaforte, aims to “project the Philippines as the Cultural Gateway to the Southeast Asian region.”


For more details, contact Rene Napeñas, Head of the NCCA Public Affairs and Information Office and PIAF Media Director at 527-5529, 09285081057, 09275582656 or PIAF Deputy Festival Manager, Vanessa Marquez at 527-2209 or 09186380412. Email us at cinemarehiyon2010@yahoo.com or ncca.paio@gmail.com. You could also visit our websites at http://www.ncca.gov.ph. and http://www.piaf-ncca.com

For inquiries, please contact the Public Affairs and Information Division at (T) 527-5529, (F) 527-2191 local 612-615, or email at info@ncca.gov.ph.

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