MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Cultural managers Ma. Lourdes “Tanya” Lopez of Bacolod City in Negros Occidental, Diomar Abrio from Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental and Alphonsus “Al” Dalisay Tesoro of Roxas City in Capiz strongly believe Visayan art and culture will continue to flourish with the efforts of artistic partners such as the Cultural Center of the Philippines through its Kaisa sa Sining (KSS) program.
Prior to joining the KSS in 2014, Negros Cultural Foundation, Inc. Executive Director Tanya Lopez recalled the foundation and the museum having their own locally initiated programs. “The Negros Cultural Foundation, Inc. was established by Marilyn Gamboa (Gawad CCP Para sa Sining 2024 awardee) together with culture and arts patrons and leaders from the province in 1980. The foundation put up the Balay Negrense Museum in 1980 and The Negros Museum in 1990,” Lopez explained.
The group’s partnership with the CCP brought forth more opportunities, according to her. “The Kaisa sa Sining is a symbolic thread that connects and intertwines the various cultural and arts organizations, craftsmen, and artists from communities all in all parts of the country. It made networking and collaboration much easier due to the projects and programs that CCP outreach brings to the regions, providing introductions and access to expertise, talents, spaces, local knowledge, stories, and traditions that can be availed through interactions, festivals, performances, and other creative endeavors.”
As a pioneering force in her area, Lopez envisions the arts and culture scene with a lot of potential and opportunities for individuals, organizations, and communities engaged in creative and cultural work, especially with the introduction of creative industries. “I am hoping that a lot of gaps can be addressed, especially when it comes to providing platforms for training, exhibitions, performances, both face-to-face and virtual, that would promote and market works that would sustain our creatives and craftsmen,” she said.
Further, Lopez’s practice in theater and work in the foundation has enabled her to organize festivals, workshops, and fora, exhibitions aimed at educating and empowering the younger generation through regular exposure through these programs or activities.
“Being a CCP partner is like being part of a big family with numerous members who pursue varied interests and skills yet share the same DNA or language that represents a common love for culture and passion for the arts,” she opined on the KSS partnership.
For Diomar Abrio, who chairs the Silliman University Culture and Arts Council, the art and culture scene is vibrant in Dumaguete City, attributing to its status as a “university town” and the influence of Silliman University, the oldest university in southern Philippines. Founded in 1901, Silliman plays a crucial role in preserving local traditions and fostering a cultural legacy through its performing arts program, which emphasizes Strength, Outstanding Performance, Unity, and Legacy (collectively referred to as SOUL). “These elements establish Silliman as a cultural hub, fostering a lasting legacy of creative and educational excellence throughout Dumaguete,” he said.
Abrio notes that participation in the CCP Kaisa sa Sining (KSS) program has enhanced collaboration with cultural organizations across the Philippines, broadening their cultural perspective and fostering his personal and professional growth. “This engagement has made a significant impact on our organization, and as the chairperson, it has helped me also in fostering my creativity and enhancing my leadership in the cultural sector,” according to him.
He envisions a future for the arts and culture scene that thrives through innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity, aiming to create a vibrant cultural ecosystem that supports local artists and amplifies community identity.
In addition, his advocacy as a cultural manager focuses on strengthening cultural education and preserving local traditions, particularly among the younger generation. “I am committed to promoting culture and the arts at Silliman University and throughout Negros Oriental, believing that arts education fosters essential skills in critical thinking, social interaction, and motivation, all of which are key to success in school, work and life,” he stated.
With the partnership with CCP KSS, Abrio feels that it has significantly strengthened their efforts to provide resources and connections that enhance their ability to share and promote culture effectively.
In the case of Capiz, Provincial Tourism Officer Alphonsus “Al” Tesoro considers the art and culture scene robust. Before joining the KSS program in 2010, Capiz had various community and school-based art initiatives, but only a few local government units actively promoted arts and culture.
“We’re one of the pioneer members of the KSS in the Visayas. The province of Capiz had also hosted various arts festivals, regional and even international, before KSS. At the same time, we had collaborations with the academe, though concentrated in Roxas City, and there are also limited outreach programs,” he explained.
Tesoro notes that the KSS program has significantly strengthened partnerships with the CCP, enhancing their culture and arts development plans and expanding outreach to educational institutions and local communities. “This partnership has provided local artists with opportunities for workshops, training, and performances, ultimately broadening their network and cultural exchange,” he added.
Looking forward, Tesoro envisions a more vibrant arts and culture scene in Capiz, with increased grassroots participation and engagement from diverse community sectors, including indigenous peoples and persons with disabilities. His involvement with the tourism office helps generate interest in arts and culture among the younger generation, encouraging their participation through partnerships with schools and local organizations.
The partnership with CCP has led to enhanced cultural programs, including the publication of folk dances, and has resulted in greater interest in various art forms. Additionally, he mentioned the recent enactment of the Revised Provincial Tourism Code that emphasizes the development of creative industries and the local film industry, further promoting a conducive environment for arts and culture to thrive in Capiz.
Looking at the bustling artistic and cultural presence in Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Capiz, they somehow form a unique bond that links the other cities and provinces in the Visayas region as well, thanks to the networking set by the Kaisa sa Sining program.
Launched in 2014 through the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Cultural Exchange Department, the CCP Kaisa sa Sining (KSS) program seeks to strengthen collaboration and foster deeper connections among regional educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, and local government units across the country. The program’s network works collectively to promote artistic excellence, preserve Philippine heritage, and facilitate meaningful cultural exchanges among diverse stakeholders.
The CCP KSS network continues to grow with 77 organizations across the country: 28 in Luzon, 21 in Visayas, and 28 in Mindanao this year. Very soon, three new partners will join the network, namely: Mindanao State University Sulu, Notre Dame of Jolo College, and Ateneo de Zamboanga.
