For two years now, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Philippine Embassy in Libya have partnered to celebrate National Arts Month with the Pasinaya sa Libya, an abridged version of the largest multi-arts festival organized by the premiere arts institution in the Philippines. 

Through Pasinaya sa Libya, the Philippine Embassy aims to reintroduce Philippine arts and culture to the Filipino community in Libya and promote cultural exchanges between the two countries. Pasinaya in Libya will be happening on Feb. 16.

This year, CCP and the Philippine Embassy will present “Himig Himbing: Mga Heleng Atin” music videos featuring modern interpretations of Philippine folk lullabies. A project by the CCP Arts Education Department, “Himig Himbing: Mga Heleng Atin” aims to reintroduce the Philippine indigenous lullabies to contemporary audiences and develop nurturers grounded in our Philippine songs and hele. Last year, selected Cinemalaya short films were screened during Pasinaya in Libya.

"We are happy to continue the partnership with the Philippine Embassy in Libya to keep the Philippines' arts and cultures alive in the hearts of our kababayans living outside their home country. I'm sure some grew up hearing these lullabies from your parents and guardians. If you are unfamiliar with these heles, this is a good opportunity to learn about our lullabies. We have so many heart-touching lullabies we should preserve and promote. We don't want the younger generation not to experience them. We don't want these lullabies to be forgotten," said CCP president ad interim Michelle Nikki Junia. 

After the screenings, there will be a talkback with ethnomusicologist Sol Trinidad, whose research became the basis of the project, and musical director Krina Cayabyab, who made the modern musical arrangements of the featured lullabies. They will share their knowledge of Philippine lullabies and explain the importance of preserving them.

Aside from the film screening, there are other events everyone can participate in. An art exhibit opens at 10 am featuring works of Ed Parrocha, followed by a series of performances at 2 pm.  

For its 2024 edition, the CCP Pasinaya attracted and drew over 50,632 people, with 44,115 from the CCP Complex and partner museums, 1232 in Circuit Makati, 656 in Iloilo City, and 4629 from Tagum City, Davao del Norte. This was the first time CCP Pasinaya went beyond the complex and into the regions. The management hopes to bring CCP Pasinaya to every region in the country and even to other countries where there are Filipino communities.  

Interested participants may register here: https://bit.ly/PasinayaSaLibya2024. Follow the official CCP social media pages on Facebook, X, Instagram and Tiktok for more updates.