Celebrating Filipino artistry amidst pandemic

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 and has not been previously identified in humans.

COVID-19 has undeniably put all activities in various fields into a new order including the sphere of arts. Many artists and institutions have suffered from the incapability to hold activities with live audience. From performing arts to visual arts, the pandemic has resulted to significant losses from the creative field. However, the said circumstance has also pushed artists and institutions (e.g., ballet and theatre companies, museums, etc.) to innovate by utilizing digital and social media. Slowly, concerts are being done online, including ballet performances, stage plays, musicals, films, and visual art exhibits.

Every February, under Presidential Proclamation No. 683, the country recognizes its culture and arts through the activities of the annual National Arts Month celebration. This year, the festivities revolve around the “Ani ng Sining” with the theme “Alab-sining, Alay-sigla,” which focuses on providing opportunities for artists to exhibit their creative prowess amidst the ongoing pandemic. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the spearheading agency during said celebration, posted on its official Facebook page, “The National Arts Month 2021 celebration seeks to conserve, promote, and popularize Filipino artistic creations; integrate the arts in the community life; and harness the arts as catalysts for values education.”

Despite the ongoing pandemic, the essence of arts and its appreciation among Filipinos is unwavering. Fortunately, creative companies such as Tanghalang Pilipino, Philippine Educational Theatre Association, Ballet Philippines, Altro Mondo Creative Space, The Metropolitan Theatre, auction houses, among others have opened their doors by offering virtual performances and exhibits to artists and enthusiasts.

Besides the aforementioned private institutions, the national government, through the annual National Arts Month celebration has initiated activities that highlight the Filipino artistry in fields of architecture and allied arts (in collaboration with CulturAid, Inc. and of United Architects of the Philippines, Philippine Institute of Interior Design, Philippine Association of Landscape Architects, and Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners), cinema (i.e., Cinema Rehiyon), dance (i.e., Sayaw Pinoy), literary arts (i.e., Reading the Regions 2: An Anthology and A Literary Conference on Philippine Folk and Oral Traditions and), music (i.e., Musikapuluan Pintigan), dramatic arts (i.e., Tampok 2020 in collaboration with Youth Advocates Through Theater Arts, Inc. [YATTA]), and visual arts (i.e., Bagong Biswal).

While Filipinos recognize the vastness and beauty of the Filipino artistry, there is also a need to provide incentives to artists and creative institutions, especially in these times when most of them are recovering from their losses. By promoting local artistry in the mainstream platforms, the Filipino artistry can continue to flourish. The government can also strengthen its institutions that oversee arts and culture to encourage more artists to continue in harnessing their craft and creativity.

The act of recognition and appreciation of the Filipino artistry must not only end on February. It must persist until no artist is left behind; until no one is unpaid or given unjustified compensation because artists are undervalued. Artists, just like any other profession, need ample recognition and proper compensation.

Margarita “Margie” Moran-Floriendo, chairperson and member of CCP Board of Trustees, once said, “Art is food for the soul because it influences one’s creative imagination to go further in life. No pandemic of any kind should threaten the arts community into oblivion.” May all artists and institutions recover and continue to spark hope and inspiration in these trying times.