The country’s art and cultural community takes centerstage beginning today, February 1 with the celebration of the National Arts Month, according to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Executive Director Cecille Guidote-Alvarez of the NCCA said the formal opening program is set after the flag- raising ceremony at 7:30 a.m. today in front of the Kalayaan (Freedom) Hall in Malacañang.

Pre-opening ceremonies were held yesterday afternoon at the Rizal Park in Manila with a short parade of artists.

At the same time, thousands of artists from here and abroad gather for the biggest arts festival in the country, the Philippine International Arts Festival (PIAF).

The festive month of February has been selected by the NCCA for the launching of "Ani ng Sining" or the PIAF in celebration of National Arts Month per Presidential Proclamation No. 683 in 1991.

Now on its 19th year, Arts Month will bring together thousands of artists from all over the country to cultivate love for the arts and preserve culture in line with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) observance of the International Year of the Rapprochement of Cultures.*