Cdeo takes centerstage in Nat'l Arts Month fete in Mindanao

Cagayan de Oro will take the centerstage in the up-coming celebration of the National Arts Month for Mindanao in February this year.

Imma Rae D. Gatuslao, acting city tourism officer disclosed that the month-long celebration entitled "Pasundayag" "Alay Sa Inahang Yuta" will showcase the rich culture and arts not only of the people here in Cagayan de Oro but in other parts of Mindanao and the rest of the country.

The celebration will open with an opening ritual called ?Pagpupugay? on February 3, 8:00 a.m. at the Capitol University. But the formal opening will be held at 3:00 in the afternoon of the same day at the Atrium of the Limketkai Mall.

Along this, Gatuslao enjoined the public to witness the street dancing at the Limketkai Complex that will be performed by such performers as the Valencia City Kaamulan Dancers, Capitol University Dance Troupe, Xavier University Dance Troupe, Kagayan Performing Arts, and the Cagayan de Oro City High School.

Also expected to perform during the opening program are the Sining Kambayoka, Integrated Performing Arts (IPAG), the City Central School Children?s Choir, Capitol University Glee Club and the Consolacion Street Band.

Key figures from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts such as Dr. Alejandro Roces, a national artist for literature; Presidential Adviser on Cultural Affairs and NCCA Executive Director Cecile Guidote-Alvarez; and Director Carmencita Bernardo of the Outreach Division of the Cultural Center of the Philippines are expected to grace the opening program of the month-long celebration of Philippine Arts.

Dr. Roces will hold a lecture on Creative Writing at the Capitol University Conference Hall in the morning of Feb. 3. The registration is free but participants will be accommodated on a first-come-first-served basis.

On Feb. 9, there will be a theater artists and cultural workers forum with a special performance by the Mebuyan from Davao City. This will also be held at the CU Conference Hall.

Gatuslao likewise enjoined the Cagayanons to watch the Salidahan sa Night Café on Feb, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, and 24 which will showcase a series of film showing, visual arts presentation and cultural, ballet and contemporary dance presentations by the CU Dance zTroupe, XU Dance Troupe, Eugene School of Ballet, Kalambaguhan Theater Collective, Liceo de Cagayan Rondalla, Kagayan Performing Arts, Bukidnon Ethnic Music Ensemble, MOGCHS Rondalla and the City High School Dance Troupe.

The public may also watch the Salidahan sa Limketkai on Feb. 11 & 17 which will feature a choral festival and contemporary dance festival by such performing artists as the CU Glee Club, XU Glee Club, MISA, BSC Choral, Luz L Major, CU Dance Troupe, First Fruits Christian Academy, Kung Hua High School and the Douglas Nierras Powerdance.

On February 28, the Philippine Madrigal Singers will hold a concert entitled ?Tara Na?Madztawanan Na!?. Venue of the concert will be announced soon.

For more details regarding the National Arts Month activities, please contact Alicia G. Sarmiento, head of the Cultural Office of the Capitol University at Tel. No. 72-61-36 local 278 or Joseph Espadilla, Project Coordinator of the NCCA 2007 Arts Month Celebration for Mindanao through Tel. No. 72-61-36 local 262.

The celebration of the National Arts Month, now on its 17th year, begun in 1991 through Presidential Proclamation No. 683, with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) as the lead agency.

This year, the month-long celebration of the National Arts Month has evolved from Manila-centered activities to a nation-wide event with key activities in Luzon, VIsayas and Mindanao and involves hundreds of artists from different arts disciplines.

(City Information Office)

PPP serves 21T residents in 2006

Some 21,149 poor residents in the city's hinterland and rural barangays availed of basic social services in all of the seven People to People Program (PPP) that were held in various barangays of the city last year.

Among the barangays that benefited from the city government?s outreach program last year are Besigan, Bugo, Tablon, Agusan, Tumpagon and Lapasan.

In last year?s People to People Program, a total of 7,992 residents availed of free medical consultation and got free medicines and multivitamins supplements, 1,066 availed of dental consultations; 501 children underwent circumcision; 4,700 seedlings of vegetables, fruit and forest trees were given; 6,150 children availed of the nutritional feeding; 722 signed for late birth registration.

During the same period, 19 cattle were dispersed; 648 farmers availed of various veterinary services; 16 land titles were assessed; 1,053 children read different books and magazines; 102 community tax certificates were issued and 7 households were checked by the building officials.

A total of 2,275 indigent families were also given rice assistance last year; 173 availed of free haircut; 21 properties were assessed; 5 properties were verified; 370 dogs were vaccinated and 422 animals were given vitamins, treated of external parasites and dewormed.

A total of 230 unwed couples were also wed in the mass wedding ceremony during the PPPs held last year.

(City Information Office)


Previous archive...