This month of May, Filipinos celebrate the Filipino Heritage Festival with the theme "Awit at Sayaw," highlighting the age-old as well as modern interpretations of Filipino music, bringing it to life through a variety of performances.
“For this year’s festivities, we will re-open a treasure trove of Philippine music mirroring the daily lives of Filipinos. We will also showcase the traditional beliefs and value systems upon which these forms of art are founded.” Filipino Heritage Festival Director Bambi Harper said.
Annually in May, Festival organizers including FHF President Armita Rufino and Finance Officer Araceli Salas, offer an array of cultural activities “to bring the Filipino people to a new awareness of age-old traditions, cultural practices, song, dance and poetry, and centuries-old architectural wonders.”
The nationwide festivity kicks off in Naga and Legazpi Cities with Pasale and Velada cultural nights that will feature traditional songs, dance and epic performances by Local Council of Women of Oas, Ligao Choral Group, Culture Arts and Heritage Society of Oas Youth, among other home-grown talents.
Rare documents and pre-Spanish artifacts in museums, historico-cultural sites tour, a round-up of the local cuisine, food fiestas, traditional practice of Santacruzan, demonstrations of Bikol games, and several other exhibits — all will run from April 29 to May 2.
In Manila, a tribute to Ben Farrales at the Metropolitan Museum, a peek at our Chinese roots in Binondo, and a Santacruzan procession managed by Ben Farrales, will form part of the many attractions.
Exhibits will be featured: Spanish and American Colonial Bridges Exhibit; a stamp launch and exhibit of art deco buildings at Greenbelt 3; and a photo exhibit of famous Philippine festivals from the collection of the Tapans; an exhibit of the Cordillera regions also by Tapan will be displayed in Baguio.
Eugenio “Boy” Abunda, the King of Talk in Philippine showbiz, in an interview with Tinna Bonifacio, traced his roots from being one of the country’s most powerful publicists back to his being a college dropout from Borongan, Eastern Samar. Attributing his successes to being a “by-product of successive accidents in life,” Abunda acknowledged Conching Sunico as one of the most influential strangers who helped him realize his dreams.
Tita Conching, as her friends and co-workers fondly called her, remained an icon of style and inspiration until today. A granddaughter of one of the richest men in Manila, Don Telesforo Chuidian, during the late 19th century, Tita Conching belonged to the high ranks of the society.
The Cultural Center of the Philippines pays tribute to the late doyenne of the Metropolitan Theater, Conching Sunico, Mga Ginintuang Alaala ni Conching Sunico on May 14 to 15
A culinary feast of Ilongo cuisine will be prepared by the Intercontinental Hotel from May 5 to 14, alongside a trade and food fair in Los Baños, Laguna on May 3.
The Balagtasan, poetic on-the-spot jousts, will delight audiences not only in Bulacan, but also here in Manila. An inter-school competition will be held in commemoration of the Francisco Balagtas, the prince of Filipino poetry.
Santa Ana Church will hold a concert of the Philippine Youth Symphonic Band featuring colonial church songs.
Far-away Mindanao will be brought to SM Mall of Asia — their exotic products and performance by dancers and kulintang musicians, halal cocktail, including a "Vinta" dance performance by the Philippine Ballet Theater.
Capping the month-long celebration will be a three-day jaunt to Antique — home of famous Philippine landmarks Anini-Y Church, Malandog Marker and the EBJ Freedom Park — on May 28 to 30. The locals have lined up a merry mix of activities including tours of heritage structures, a sampling of folk poetry, Visayan songs, traditional dance, indigenous food, and community theatre.
“Each activity this month will contribute greatly to the knowledge and values of every Filipino; your support will be material to this effort,” Harper said.
The entire month’s activities will be conducted in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and Arts, and the Department of Tourism. Other partners include Air Philippines, the Intercontinental Hotel, the Mandarin Hotel, Philippine Airlines, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Ayala Museum, Robinsons Malls, Rustan’s, Security Bank Corporation, Tanduay Distillers, Inc., and the local government units of the cities and provinces involved.
Filipino Heritage Month was born out of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Proclamation No. 439 on 11 August 2003, “declaring the month of May of every year as National Heritage Month. The event is in recognition of the need to create among the people a consciousness, respect, and pride for thr legacies of Filipino cultural history, and love of country.”
http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca/announcements/announcement.php?i=843