Antique marks Natl Arts Month
San Jose, Antique -- The province of Antique celebrates the National Arts Month with a musical road show of "Evelio: Ang Taghandum" and participation in the 1st National Arts Fair, disclosed Alex C. Delos Santos, consultant for cultural and historical affairs and executive director of Binirayan Foundation, Inc. (BFI).
The musical play "Evelio: Ang Taghandum" was presented at the EBJ Freedom Park on February 11 in celebration of the 21st death anniversary of Evelio B. Javier, and on February 14 at the Polytechnic State College of Antique in Sibalom. Both shows were sponsored by the Antique Provincial Historical and Cultural Council (APHCC). "Evelio: Ang Taghandum" was produced through a grant from the Kalahi Cultural Caregiving of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) last year.
On February 28 to March 4, the province of Antique exhibits the works of Antiqueño masters at the 1st National Arts Fair in Bacolod City. The Antique booth shall display works by Filoteo Veñegas, Donato Sermeno, Vicente Artango, National Artist Jeremias Elizalde Navarro, and Edsel Moscoso, as well as contemporary artists in the province. Governor Sally Zaldivar Perez speaks on "Culture and Art as antidote to politics" during the forum on March 1.
The Museo Antiqueño, meanwhile, was declared Sentro ng Sining (Center for the Arts) during the launching of the National Arts Month in Cebu City on February 3. The museum's EBJ Gallery is now open to the public, and the main gallery is under construction. Governor Perez has expressed full support for culture and the arts by assigning the museum as her priority project this year.
The National Arts Month is celebrated annually under the leadership of the NCCA. In Antique it is coordinated by BFI, APHCC, and Paranubliun Antique.