Text and Photo by the College of Arts and Sciences
Culture and the arts are integral parts of nation-building. As the nation celebrates National Arts Month this February, we are called to honor the country’s artistic and cultural heritage and embrace creativity through art.
In celebration of National Arts Month, the Department of Arts and Communication (DAC) of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) held its annual Culture Week from Feb. 17-21, with the theme “Kung Ano-ano: Anik-anik, Borloloy, Abubot, At Iba Pa.” The event featured a series of talks, workshops, film screenings, and a student contest.
The celebration kicked off with the week-long Abubooth Fair, where anik-anik, abubot, borloloy, and other items were sold by various student organizations. The booths were open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Rizal Hall Lobby, GAB Lobby, and walkway along the UPM Theater. A total of 14 student organizations participated as exhibitors.
The first day of the event also featured the Usapang Anik Anik Talk Series, which consisted of four sessions exploring Filipino maximalism—highlighting anik-anik, abubot, and burloloy—through the lenses of art, sociolinguistics, architecture, and sociology. Prof. Abdulmari “Toym” D.L. Imao Jr., a multi-awarded visual artist from the University of the Philippines Diliman, presented a talk on the Philippine Jeepney. Prof. Rosella Torrecampo, also from UP Diliman, delivered a talk titled “Anik-Anik, Atic, Emic, at Etic: Anech Itech?“ Meanwhile, Architect Clarissa Lorenzo from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) explored Culture+Architecture, while Mr. Josephus Lobrino from Ateneo de Manila University discussed “Sosyolohikal na Pagsusuri ng mga Anik-anik, Abubot, Borloloy, at Kung Ano-ano Pa sa Lipunang Pilipino.“
The second day of the week-long celebration featured the Sari-sariling Gawa Workshop Series, which provided students with practical skills and encouraged their artistic expression through crochet and bead accessory making.
Meanwhile, the Nood-nood Lang Film Screening, held on the third day, featured “TARA LARO TA[Y]O“, a six-short film collection that aims to promote traditional dances and games. The event concluded with a quiz show that allowed students to test their knowledge in Filipino pop culture.
The Culture Week was organized by the Department of Arts and Communication, with Assistant Professors Ma. Caselyn Morada and Jessalyn Basco as chair and co-chair, respectively. The event is in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Organization Communication Society, and the UP Manila Salinlahi.
