Commemorating four decades of the CCP Outreach Program, Lakbayin ang Sining: Readings in Creative and Cultural Work in the Philippines was launched to take readers on an exciting journey to the unique and inspiring experiences in Philippine arts and culture.
The book features the narratives, testimonies, and heartwarming stories about arts and cultural work in the Philippines as recounted by Filipino artists, cultural workers, and arts organizations from various provinces and communities nationwide. It seeks to inspire the present and future generations of artists and community organizers and to instill in them the value, importance, and wisdom of cultural work.
The publication also provides a venue for artists, cultural workers, and community leaders to relate how their organizations and communities grew, evolved, and survived the challenges of cultural work. More significantly, Lakbayin ang Sining serves as an invaluable source material on Filipino art and culture for students, teachers, scholars, academics, and researchers.
During the launch program, CCP President Arsenio J. Lizaso and VP-Artistic Director Chris B. Millado delivered their special messages. Similarly, video performances by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, RMMC Teatro Ambahanon, CPU Handbell Ringers and the Baao Children and Youth Choir, and readings by Rosalie Zerrudo, Dr. Steven Fernandez, Dulce Obusan, Coke Bolipata, and Tanghalang Pilipino’s Antonette Go and JV Ibesate (who also emceed the program) of excerpts from their contributed articles were interspersed in the proceedings. The launch was attended in zoom by the contributors and other distinguished guests from the CCP Outreach network. A special sign language interpretation of the livestream program was also provided by Nicky Templo Perez and Mark Jayobo from the Tagapagsalin ng Wikang Senyas Workers Cooperative (TWS-WC). Two experts—Dr. Christine Godinez-Ortega and Kara Patria David Cancio—gave their reviews of the book partly quoted as follows:
CCP Cultural Exchange Department Manager and Executive Producer of the book, Carmencita “Chinggay” Jasareno-Bernardo, remarked: “Completing this book was made harder by the global onslaught of COVID-19 in the middle of production work. Nevertheless, our commitment to our contributors and the readers transcended the pandemic, hence we prevailed. We are too excited about each and every story told and we are thankful that we can finally share it with the public. Lakbayin ang Sining will not be possible without the notable artistry, dedication and generosity of our contributors who have long been our colleagues and partners in our cultural work nationwide and even overseas. It is therefore appropriate to acknowledge all of them in this article.” She thanked the following writers of the contributed and feature articles: Alma Celesthia Dumalag-Aguja – Executive Director — Kabpapagariya Ensemble, MSU, General Santos City; Suzie Moya Benitez, Executive Director – Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company; Felimon B. Blanco – Founder & Artistic Director, Teatro Guindengan, LSU, Ozamiz City; Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata – CEO, Casa San Miguel & Artistic Director, -Pundaquit Virtuosi, Zambales; Eduardo Borbon – Tourism Officer, Batangas City; Bryan Jason T. Borja – Director, Culture-History-Art-Tourism Office, Biñan City, Laguna; Hermelino Briones – Conductor, Baao Children and Youth Choir, Camarines Sur; Leonardo S. Cariño – Artistic Director, RMMC Teatro Ambahanon, General Santos City; Ian Rosales Casocot – Director – Creative Writing Center, Silliman University, Dumaguete City; Dr. Richard G. Daenos – Former President-City College of Angeles, Angeles City, Pampanga; Dr. Steven P.C. Fernandez – Artistic Director, IPAG, MSU-IIT, Iligan City; Rodel M. Fronda – Artistic Director, Sining Bulakenyo; Gino Gonzales – Scenographer and Educator; Nicanora Teresa S. Hernandez – Puni Traditional Art Advocate, Bulacan; Dr. Anita U. Illenberger – Former Dean-College of Arts and Sciences, CPU Iloilo City; Jonas T. Lim, LLB – Arts and Culture Officer, Calbayog City; Agnes D. Locsin – Artistic Director, Locsin Dance Workshop, Davao City; Ma. Lourdes Lopez – Executive Director, Negros Cultural Foundation, Bacolod City; Delsa Mortola – Photo Artist and Farmer, Cagayan De Oro City; Ida Anita Del Mundo – Writer & Filmmaker; Paula Marie Nocon – Journalist & Copywriter; Sunnie C. Noel – Former Artistic Director, Sining Kambayoka Ensemble, MSU Marawi City; Dulce Obusan– Executive Director, Ramon Obusan Folkloric Foundation; Maritess Fojas De Ocampo – Public Relations Head, Ballet Philippines; Marvin Punsalan – Head, Institute for Cultural Heritage Education, City College of Angeles, Pampanga; Eugene A. De Los Santos, DMA – Orchestra Director, Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra; Hobart P. Savior – VP For External & Cultural Affairs, Liceo De Cagayan University, Cagayan De Oro; Emerald T. Ventura – Soprano Alumna, St. Louis University Glee Club, Baguio City; Alfred De Veyra – Director, MADz Music Studio; and Rosalie Zerrudo – Professor, University of San Agustin, Iloilo City.
Edited by Alejandro D. Padilla and designed by Paul Pagunsan, the book highlights for its cover Leonardo “Bing” Cariño’s artwork billed as MINTODA (short for Mindanao Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association) Series. It is the General Santos City-based artist’s tribute to the tricycle, a major mode of public transportation in Mindanao and other parts of the country. Chinggay added that “it is a perfect symbol of not just travel and creativity but also of endurance, and appreciation for life, people and cultures across the nation. We invite everyone to enjoy the journey.”
Copies of Lakbayin ang Sining can be ordered and purchased online through the FB page of the CCP Shop.
