February is not just the month of love, but it is also a month of art. The latter applies to the Philippines, as former President Corazon Aquino declared the month as National Arts Month in 1991. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has been in charge of this annual event in partnership with private and public agencies. The theme for this year’s month-long celebration is ‘Ani ng Sining‘, in which the celebration continues its aim to showcase the unique identity and local values of the community through art and provide opportunities for our artists as some of them.
Whether one is a local or a foreigner, there are plenty of art events to check out. Here are five events one can attend:
1. Fringe Manila
Starting the month is this art festival that lasts up from two to three weeks. Its official website defines the event as an ‘open access, non-curated, and uncensored arts and community festival’ wherein artists in different fields can showcase their ‘fresh, daring, and groundbreaking material’. Fringe Manila does not showcase artworks alone but also performances like music, dance, and even cabaret. This is a feast for the eyes in all aspects.
2. Angono Art Tour
Also on the same day is this whole day art tour from the Art Capital of the Philippines. This city of Rizal province earned its name because there is artwork almost everywhere, as well as the various museums one can go to like the Blanco Family Museum and Botong Francisco Museum. These two locations are part of the tour organized by Drive Tours in collaboration with the local government unit of Angono and other travel agencies.
3. ALT Philippines
If one doesn’t have a Valentine’s Day date idea yet, why not go to this art show? This event only has a two-day run wherein various art galleries will join forces to present their artists’ work in an exploratory format. The theme for this year’s event is ‘The Art Show Reframed’, which the 10 participating galleries will prove and show to their guests. ALT Philippines hopes to ‘revitalize the local art scene’ and with their effort to combine different galleries with various artworks, viewers will be in for a visual field trip that will leave them inspired.
4. Art Fair Philippines
One of the most popular art events in the country will happen on February 21. Similar to the previous event, this will only have a two-day run. Art Fair Philippines has been described as the ‘premier platform for exhibiting and selling the best in modern and contemporary Philippine visual art’. However, there are more things to expect than that – there are also workshops, demonstrations, lectures, and tours that one can join in. It goes to show that art isn’t only for the eyes, but also for the mind to participate in.
5. Malasimbo Arts and Music Festival
The first music and arts festival in the country will end the month as the two-day event will cover musical performances, a music business conference, and rainforest activities for the family wherein art abound. This event is for all ages to enjoy what art is and what it can do to our soul.
Photo attribution:
1st and featured image from https://unsplash.com/photos/QRrZzqLTWig
2nd image from https://unsplash.com/photos/O7kjKKuUyCA
