Antique receives arts month grant
San Jose, Antique -- The Province of Antique, through the Binirayan Foundation, Inc. (BFI), is chosen by the National Commission on Culture and the arts as one of the venues of the Philippine Arts Festival 2008, in celebration of the National Arts month.
The month-long celebration shall be witnessed in different provinces all over the country. Antique is one of the 29 provinces selected to implement the nationwide event. This year's theme is " Ani ng Sining: Art in public Spaces."
In Antique, the events include the Kalahi Cultural to be conducted by veteran theater director and scriptwriter Frank G. Rivera on February 3. BFI, through its resident performing arm Hiraya Theater Company, is also producing the "komedya kasanag batok sa sugal" by Exaltacion Combong, and will be shown on February 11 at the EBJ Freedom Park as a tribute to Evelio B. Javier on the anniversary of his martyrdom, and on February 22 at Tibiao Public Plaza to open the Maninihon Festival in Tibiao.
Coincidentally, Hiraya Theater Company has been invited by the University of the Philippines to the Komedya Fiesta 2008 at the UP Diliman Amphitheater in celebration of the premier university's centennial. Hiraya Theater Company is slated to perform on February 15.
Written in 1962, the Komedya presents the debate against gambling and the need for rural electrification program in the province of Antique. The play was chosen for its timely message and adherence to the midterm development goal on poverty alleviation of the United Nation Development Program (UNDP).
Antique's inclusion in this year's Philippines Arts Festival is a result of BFI's networking and successful implementation of the Komedya sa Antique Festival since 2006,For more information, call 036-5407343 or email birayfest@yahoo.com.ph.@ (BFI/PIA)