BAGUIO CITY — The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and its media partners officially launched the Culture and Arts Promotion for Luzon during the Kapihan sa Baguio media forum here on Monday.
NCCA officials led by Deputy Executive Director Marichu Tellano and Communications vice head Rodrigo Cornejo together with Philippine Information Agency Director General Jose Mari Quinena, Sunstar Baguio President Peter Rey Bautista and Publisher Reynaldo Bautista Sr., Cordillera News Agency head Art Tibaldo and photojournalist Dave Leprozo graced the forum which was highlighted with the signing of memorandum of agreement for their partnership.
PIA – Cordillera through its Regional Director Helen Tibaldo, initiated a partnership with the NCCA to help in the promotion of its programs in Luzon. Initially, the project was for the Cordillera region but it was agreed that the promotion would be done by the seven PIA regional offices in Luzon.
Tibaldo vowed to help the NCCA become a mainstream concern in Luzon by using various promotional strategies and platforms including social media as well as linkages with other government and non-government agencies
The arts and culture promotions in Luzon will ensure that every Filipino living in Luzon will gain access on the different cultural projects in their community that will eventually augment their awareness on Philippine heritage; thus, developing a strong sense of nationhood.
The NCCA has also partnered with Sun Star Baguio to disseminate information on the NCCA, its mandate and various programs through the weekly column titled ‘Arts Awake’. The column will share various NCCA cultural projects and programs as well as tackle the different cultural issues.
Other NCCA-funded programs in CAR include the Tam-awan International Arts Festival organized by the Chanum Foundation, the Cultural Awareness for Media to be handled by the Cordillera News Agency and the preservation of the native attires of the different tribes in the Cordillera through documentation and photos by photojournalist Dave Leprozo.
Tellano said that the culture and arts promotion for Luzon by the PIA and its media partners is a big boost to the agencies goal of promoting arts and culture. She said that since NCCA has no regional offices, PIA will be very helpful to the agency and the different cultural and arts activities and events in the different regions and provinces where PIA is present.
Meanwhile, Oquiñena said that he is excited on the partnership of the PIA and the NCCA for the promotion of culture because aside from informing the people, he also wants the agency to inspire the people with the rich and unique Philippine culture.
“PIA will not only be an information agency but it will also be a Philippine Inspiration Agency working to promote culture and arts of the Filipino people,” said Oquinena./JDP/RMC & J. Quinit-PIA/ UCU Intern
