Heritage Festival: Pambansang Pagkakaisa Para Sa Pamana

May marks the 15^th year of National Heritage Month. Filipino Heritage Festival (FHFI) president Armita B. Rufino and finance officer Araceli R. Salas are presenting cultural activities to the Filipino people that show “age-old traditions, cultural practices, song, dance and centuries-old architectural wonders.”
Ms. Rufino emphasized that the annual festival will “promote the awareness, interest, enthusiasm and strengthen the knowledge and information on the legacies of Filipino cultural history.
“Realizing the importance of the past and the present, FHFI believes in the importance to bond the old and the new traditions and current practices through appreciation, understanding and responsiveness of the Filipinos.”
The festivities starts on May 2 in Davao City. The theme “Pambansang Pagkakaisa para sa Pamana (National Unity for Heritage).”
The youth is highlighted with the Heritage Forum in six areas: Davao City, Taguig City; Aklan province, Tugueguerao City, Cagayan; Tabuk City, Kalinga; and Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. Larong Atin are the Philippine traditional games that should be revived.
The major performances worth seeing are the following:
May 5 — “Journeys on a Galleon,” a cultural production written and directed by Floy Quintos. Musical direction by Jesse Lucas with choreography by Gener Caringal. Cultural Center of the Philippines, Main Theater (3 p.m. and 8 p.m.).
May 19 — “Parian sa Binondo,” Lucky Chinatown Mall – Atrium (4 p.m.).
May 29 — Ibong Adarna by Ballet Manila, Victoria City, Negros Occidental
June 11-12 — “Balagtasayawit 2018 ng Palihang Hagonoy” performance, SM Calamba (June 11) and SM Lipa (June 12)
Exhibitions:
May 10 — June 30 “Up Front: Encountering the Sacred” and Commemorative Stamp Launch. A photo exhibition of Philippine Colonial churches (declared as National Cultural Treasures) Metropolitan Museum of Manila — White Cube Gallery.
May 10 — Opening and Launch: 4 p.m.
Exhibits at Malls:
1) National Artists of the Philippines
May 15-18 — Glorietta 2 Activity Center, Ayala Center — Opening May 15 (5 p.m.)
June 11-14 — SM North EDSA/ The Block
2) PH Sunset: “Abot Tanaw: Tracing Local Horizons” SM Seaside Cebu City — U/G Flr. Hallway, Sea View Wing
3) HABI — A Journey through Handwoven Textiles — SM City Davao Annex (Ecoland)
4) Gayak Filipiniana — SM City, Bacolod
5) Dalubkatawan ng Kalinangan — SM Megamalll, Event Center
6) Philippine Rivers and Lakes Vista Mall, Daang Hari
7) Photo Exhibit: Philippines Traditional Musical Instruments — collection of Lucrecia R. Kasilag and Ramon Santos, National Artists for Music
May 10-31 — Embassy of the Philippines in Tokyo, Japan Opening May 10
May 7-12 — Vista Mall Taguig — Activity Center
Culminating Activity and Program — May 12 (4 p.m.), Starmall Alabang and Las Piñas
Among the other important activities are:

• Angat Kabataan Camp 2018 Cebu

• Traditional Biblical Santa Cruz de Mayo procession at Intramuros on May 20, and at SM Mall of Asia grounds on May 13.

June 15-16 — Heritage Pilgrimage Tour — Zambales
Sites to be visited: San Andres Apostol Parish Church (declared as National Cultural Treasure and Casa San Miguel — Zambales Center for the Arts
The Festival is co-presented by major partners and sponsors National Commission of Culture and the Arts NCCA, PAGCOR, Security Bank Corporation.
Other partners are the local government of the cities and provinces involved: Cultural Center of the Philippines, Department of Tourism, Intramuros Administration, Philippine Postal Corporation, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCII), BBB Foundation, Society for Cultural Enrichment, Inc., FUNtastic Philippines, Inc.; SM Malls, S Maison, Starmalls and Vista Mall Taguig, Lucky Chinatown Mall and Ayala Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, DSB Cares, AB Leisure and BusinessWorld.
On Aug. 11, 2003, president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared May as National Heritage Month under Proclamation No. 439. “The celebration is in recognition of the need to create among the people a consciousness, respect and love for the legacies of Filipino cultural history.”
Congratulations to FHFI, its partners and sponsors, for promoting love of country, and keeping alive the cultural traditions and heritage legacies.
Happy 15^th Anniversary!
For inquiries: website — heritagemonth@yahoo.com.ph; Ms. Tonie Bautista at 0916-478-8163.
 
Maria Victoria Rufino is an artist, writer and businesswoman. She is president and executive producer of Maverick Productions.
mavrufino@gmail.com