The Makati City local government, in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Filipino Heritage Festival Inc., is set to open an exhibit showcasing the lives and works of individuals regarded as "Manlilikha ng Bayan" and National Artists.

The exhibit, entitled "Haligi ng Harayang Filipino: An Exhibition on Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan and Orden ng Pambansang Alagad ng Sining" is set on Oct. 20 to Jan. 17, 2024 at the Museo ng Makati in Poblacion. The opening ceremony will be held at 3 p.m.

"(This is a flagship exhibition of the NCCA featuring the lives and works of Manlilikha ng Bayan and National Artists. The exhibition is a significant initiative that seeks to promote the cultural and societal significance of these individuals. Through the exhibition, the NCCA aims to enhance awareness and appreciation for the arts and culture of the Philippines, while also recognizing the contributions of local artists to the country's rich cultural heritage," the NCCA said.

The exhibit is also a part of the country's celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Month and Museum and Galleries Month where performances by the Kalinga Budong Cultural Dance Troupe, Keheligal Cultural Dance Troupe, and the Chorale Society of Makati will be showcased.

The agency urged the public to visit its official Facebook page and the pages of My Makati and Filipino Heritage Festival, Inc. for other details.

During National Arts Month celebrated in February, Makati City launched a revolutionary art exhibit aimed at combining the elegance and beauty of art and sophistication of technology made by Filipino artists.

Dubbed as "Paint to Pixel," the art exhibit featured digital works using augmented reality (AR) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) created by local artists and creative communities such as Likha, Filipinas NFT, and Crypto Art Philippines, among others.

According to Draper Startup House Philippines General Manager Celine Veloso, Paint to Pixel was started last year when Draper launched its Artist Collective Program with the goal of supporting artists who are venturing into the web3 space.

"As web3 grows rapidly in the Philippines, a rise in new forms of art is taking over the scene. This emerging medium of creativity has brought about promising talent that sees new possibilities for art at the forefront of technology," Veloso said during the exhibit's launch.

"With our partner artist communities and collaboration with the Museum, Culture and Arts Office of the City of Makati, we are bringing these pioneer artists together with those who believe in spreading the future of arts through this Paint to Pixel exhibit," she added.

The exhibit also featured Filipinas NFT's first collection dubbed as "Abante Babae," which showcased works from 12 Filipina artists, both known and new, that represent women empowerment infused with Filipino cultural and traditional elements.