IN honor of National Arts Month, Quezon City District V Representative PM Vargas encourages every young Filipino to participate and pay homage to our country’s diverse artistic traditions and cultural heritage.
“Apart from being a source of entertainment, arts play a vital role in shaping our identities, challenging our perspectives, and building connections with our roots”, explains Vargas, one of the principal authors of House Bill 7540, otherwise known as “Special Program in the Creative Arts”.
The proposed measure aims to preserve and promote culture, arts, and creative artistry among junior and senior high school students. By providing adequate training for students to hone their artistic abilities, entrepreneurship skills, financial literacy, and academic foundation, the House Bill has the end goal of producing world-class artists who have strong patriotic ideals.
Vargas, who is a member of the House Committee on Youth and Development is optimistic that the younger generation will be more appreciative of arts in general saying, “Art transcends beyond the visuals that we see; they have stories to tell and artists behind the pieces. The youth these days have the power to bring art appreciation to a level that highlights both the art and the artist”.
“We Filipinos are already well-known for being musically inclined. We have top-tier singers, vocalists, and performers who have made names internationally. I think we can elevate other forms of Filipino art to this level as well” Vargas continues.
The legislator added that measures supporting the country’s local art and artists are the Lower House’s commitment to fostering a thriving arts community in our nation.
The younger brother of the actor and former District V Representative Alfred Vargas is also a staunch supporter of Filipino films and has lobbied for several measures promoting Pinoy Films and the Pinoy Entertainment Industry such as the Philippine Archive Act, Film and Live Events Recovery Act, and an Act for the Protection and Promotion of the Welfare of Workers or Independent Contractors in Film, Television and Radio Entertainment.
National Arts Month is celebrated annually every February since its proclamation in 1991.
