By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — As the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) launches “Ani ng Sining” gearing up in further promoting the tradional Filipino arts to instill the richness of Philippine tradition to the Filipinos, NCCA Executive Director Cecille Guidote-Alvarez said the National Arts Month in February will highlight climate change awareness.

Alvarez said that through art forms like poetry, song, dance and paintings, the Filipinos will be educated on the effects of climate change and make them realize their important role in saving the earth from the dangers of climate change.

According to Alvarez, scientists said that among the top 12 vulnerable to disappear or devastated by climate change is the Philippines. She added that everybody has a responsibility at addressing the climate crisis.

Meanwhile, University of the Philippines-Baguio Chancellor and also the NCCA Vice Chair of Visual Arts Dr. Priscilla Supnet-Macansantos said that raising the consciousness on climate change should not only be on February this year but on the years to come. Macansantos added that the campaign should also reach the students, faculty and the public.

Macansantos said that they are much interested on the relation between arts and climate change. She also said that culture and arts should pave way to a greater consciousness on the environment. According to Macansantos, UP Baguio will conduct workshops and forums as well as poetry readings among others as part of the campaign and it will be opened to public.

Alvarez said that video documentaries and independent films on climate change produced by local talents of the Philippines will be shown in different universities of Baguio City and Benguet.

Alvarez said that through culture and arts, climate change awareness can be spread-out not only to tri-media but even “hexa-media” like community performances, radio, TV, internet, comics and all art forms.

According to Alvarez, NCCA has already made a “radio Nobela” on climate change that is being played over DZRH’s program “Radyo Balintataw”. She said they are distributing free copies of the said program to schools. She also said they will also provide copies to any radio station for use.

Alvarez also announced that the Philippines holds the honor to be dubbed by the Association of Southeast Asian countries as the first Cultural capital of Asean for 2010 and 2011.

In 2007, the Philippines successfully hosted heads of states summit in Cebu and the Philippine Theater Center with the support from the Asean Director General. The NCCA organized a Millenium Development Goals performance and Media Arts workshops from Ancestral roots to New Routes of Artistic expressions.

Alvarez said that activities are already lined up for the National Arts Month this coming February. Two activities, the Sayaw Pinoy and “Organik Musik 2” will be shown here in Baguio. # nordis.net