Now  on its 19th year, National Arts Month (NAM) will fuse thousands of artists from all over the country to cultivate love for the arts and preserve culture in line with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s observance of the International Year of the Rapprochement of Cultures.

As prelude to this month’s celebration, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) launched last month “Ani ng Sining,” to promote the traditional Filipino arts and instill the richness of Philippine tradition among Filipinos.

Focusing on climate change awareness, the various art forms – poetry, song, dance, paintings – will be used to educate the public on the effects of climate change and make the people realize that the task of addressing this global problem has become a shared responsibility of every Filipino regardless of gender, age, religion, ethnicity, and socio-economic background.

To mark NAM 2010, which is held annually in February pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 683, various events will be staged nationwide.

“Sayaw Pinoy 2010” will link mainstream and traditional dances and provide dance artists with a venue for exchanging ideas and sharing their expertise by bringing dance, in all its diversity, to the grassroots. Film enthusiasts will be treated to Cinema Rehiyon, which will be year round to reach out to more people in the country in the hope of revitalizing the film industry.

Dialogues and workshops will be held to deepen the Filipinos’ understanding and treatment of cinema. There will be workshops and forums, poetry readings, video documentaries, and independent films on climate change produced by local talents.

The Arts Research and Training Institute in Southern Tagalog, Inc. (ARTIST Inc.) will launch its PARAGOS Performance Season with a musical theater production entitled Marya sa Ulnan, which consists of: Sina Marya at si Kiling, a re-invented story of the legend of Mount Makiling highlighting children’s rights; and Igway sa Ulnan, which showcases the lives, aspirations, and struggles of the Iraya Mangyan against so-called “development aggression.” Cebu City will play host to the national writers’ conference “Taboan: 2nd Philippine Writers Festival.”

As the Philippines takes pride in being named the First Cultural Capital of ASEAN for 2010 and 2011 by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, this year’s month-long celebration of NAM promises to be grand on visuals and inspiring as well. It will enable a mutually enriching experience for seasoned artists and the youth of the digital age.

Beyond showcasing the richness of Filipino art and culture, NAM 2010 will demonstrate how art and culture can be effective tools to raise awareness of the problem of climate change to be able to reach and mobilize students, faculty, and the public into meaningful action.