NCCA chair encourages Caraganons to establish its own cultural identity

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 12 (PIA) – During his visit here recently, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) chairman Felipe M. De Leon encouraged Caraganons to promote products of the localities in the region.

“Let’s help local industry with experts of different fields who produce cultural products for tourists' souvenirs. Travelers will never forget your respective areas when they witness and experience your culture," he said.

De Leon added that "Filipinos are artistic in nature and we give value to our culture and traditions wherever we are in the world."

De Leon also suggested to make the airport as a museum of art gallery since travelers of all walks of life while waiting at the airport can get to see these things such as the regions’ artifacts, miniatures, cultural jewelries, and a lot more.

“We are also calling on cultural and art groups, academic institutions, local arts organizations, non-government organizations involved in culture and arts, and others to submit their project proposals for the NCCA Grants Program for 2014. Deadline is on Aug. 30, 2013,” said De Leon.

De Leon further bared that the NCCA is willing to provide assistance to those groups who will have cultural-related activities in the future.

It was also learned that those interested individuals or groups must submit their accomplished project proposals to Ms. Marichu Tellano, Chief Policy, Plan Formulation and Programming Division, 5th Floor, NCCA, 633 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, with Telephone Nos. (02) 527-2192, fax (02) 527-2198/ 522-2084 and emails- info@ncca.gov.ph & pmd@ncca.gov.ph.

The NCCA is the overall policymaking, coordinating, and grants giving agency for the preservation, development, and promotion of Philippine Arts and Culture; an executing agency for the policies it formulates; and an agency task to administer the National Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts.

The general functions of the NCCA include the following: promotion of cultural and artistic development; conservation and promotion of the nation's historical and cultural heritage; nationwide dissemination of artistic and cultural products; preservation and integration of traditional culture as part of the national cultural mainstream; and ensuring that standards of excellence are met in its programs and activities. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

NCCA to discuss project proposals with local media in Butuan

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 6 (PIA) -- The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) will meet local media in Caraga on August 8 to discuss project proposals for the 2014 NCCA Grants Program.

The NCCA, headed by Felipe de Leon Jr., is encouraging cultural and art groups, academic institutions, local arts organizations, non-government organizations involved in culture and arts, and others to submit project proposals, and deadline is on August 30.

NCCA Public Affairs and Information Office (PAIO) head Rene Sanchez Napenas, said that projects to be funded by the NCCA must capture the aspiration of the arts and culture community, expressed by NCCA’s vision in the 21st century: “Filipino culture as the wellspring of national and global well being.”

“Projects must establish culture as pillar of sustainable development, advance creativity and diversity of artistic expression, and promote a strong sense of nationhood and pride in being Filipino through culture and arts,” said Napenas.

It was also learned that through the National Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts (NEFCA), the NCCA Grants Program provides support to individuals and organizations in fields that are aligned with the Philippine culture and arts and in accordance with the defined priorities of each of the national committees. It also provides funds for projects for the promotion, development and conservation of Philippine culture and arts, and it continuously encourage collaborative efforts which provides significant contributions to the realization of the mandate of the NCCA.

Interested individuals or groups can avail of NCCA assistance by submitting a project proposal under the NCCA Competitive Grants, or file a request under the Institutional Programs, namely, NCCA Outreach Program, Resource Person’s Bureau and Technical Assistance Program.

For more information, the NCCA can be reached at telephone numbers: (632) 527-2192 or 0928-5081057; or log on to www.ncca.gov.ph or email at ncca.paio@gmail.com.(JPG/PIA-Caraga)