THE National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), through its Philippine Cultural Education Program (PCEP), had organized a cultural education (CulEd) and market fair from September 5 to 7, wherein higher and basic education institutions showcase their talents and products.
Agora, themed Crossroads of Creativity, Culture and Ideas, is a project of the PCEP to create an industry that focuses on culture and the arts of the Filipinos.
"Ang intention natin dito ay maka create tayo ng isang industriya ng sining. Ang mga Pilipino, nasanay na hindi binabayaran ang sining, libre. This time, gusto namin iparandam sa ating mamamayang Pilipino na panahon na para kilalanin ang sining bilang isang produkto na kinakailangan nilang gastusan (Our intention here is to create the industry for culture. Filipinos are used to not pay for that. This time, we want to make them feel that it’s time to recognize culture and arts as products that need to be given importance.) ," Joseph Cristobal, PCEP director, said.
The event, held in SM City Cagayan de Oro Uptown, was composed of a trade fair that featured various exhibitors which showcased research on cultural education, course offerings on performing arts, books, local arts, and crafts; workshops and demonstrations on art and art talks; and performances from different special programs in the arts organization.
"This is the showcase of performances of what they have in terms of culture and arts. This is just a little unit of what we were trying to promote," Orlando Magno, NCCA commissioner, said.
"Hopefully, if we have this in our contents and processing teaching, our natural treasures in terms of arts will really be appreciated by all kasi yun ang ating identity as a people," he added.
Showcasing home-grown cultural talents as part of their corporate social responsibility, the SM Supermalls, which hosted the event, expressed their gratitude to NCCA and PCEP.
"We would like to express our sincere gratitude for choosing SM City Cagayan de Oro Uptown as your venue of choice for this three-day cultural activity," Edgar Baisas, mall manager of SM Cagayan de Oro, said.
"As always, SM Supermalls is here to truly support this kind of endeavor and is looking forward in the future of similar events to be held here in SM City Cagayan de Oro Uptown," he added.
Philippine Cultural Education Program envisions a nation of culturally literate and empowered Filipinos by ensuring that culture is the core and foundation of education, governance, and sustainable development.