Opening of National Heritage Month 2026 (Angono, Rizal)

 

Opening of National Heritage Month 2026 (photo: George Buid)

Last Sunday, May 10, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) through the Subcommission on Cultural Heritage and the National Committee on Art Galleries, kicked off the celebration of National Heritage Month at the 7-hectare Loyola Retreat House - Spirituality and Art Center in Angono, Rizal, the “Art Capital of the Philippines.” This year's theme is “Roots and Horizons: Our Shared Heritage, Our Collective Future." 

Torch lighting ceremony at Kaagapay Monument (photo: George Buid)

The festivities opened with a torch-lighting ceremony at the monumental Kaagapay Monument, a massive representation of the ancient Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs, created in 2025 by renown Mindanawon artist Kublai Millan.  This was followed by a parade, showcasing Angono’s iconic 10 to 12-foot high papier-mache puppets (higantes), a Sayaw sa Patio at the Chapel of the Risen Lord and the Petros Group Art Exhibit (which showcases artwork from the Petros Group and local art galleries) opening at the Pedro Calungsod Hall.  The program proper started at Holy Trinity Garden. 

Angono street dancers and higantes (photo: George Buid)

After a message from Philpost Postmaster-General Maximo C. Sta. Maria III, the commemorative stamps of National Heritage Month were unveiled. Keynote speaker was NCCA Chairman and Executive Director Eric B. Zerrudo, Phd. He said that “it is vital to celebrate National Heritage Month as it highlights the resilience deeply embedded in Filipino heritage and gives people a sense of hope.”

 

Unveiling of Philpost commemorative stamps (photo: George Buid)

Welcome remarks were delivered by Angono Mayor Gerardo V. Calderon, opening remarks by Mr. Ivan Anthony S. Henares (Commissioner, Subcommission on Cultural Heritage) and special messages were given by Rizal Governor Nina Ricci A. Ynares, Fr. Rene Pio Javellana, SJ (Vice-President, Loyola Retreat House - Spirituality and Art Center Angono) and Most Rev. Ruperto C. Santos, DD, Bishop of Antipolo (delivered by Fr. Peter Ymari C. Balatbat, Executive Director, Diocesan Commission for Cultural Heritage of the Church, Diocese of Antipolo). A message, from Pres. Ferdinand “Bongbong" R. Marcos, was delivered by former NCCA chairman and Angono native Victorino “Ino” Mapa Manalo.

 

Opening of Petros Art Group Exhibit (photo: George Buid)

Entertainment was provided by the choral singing of the Angono Chorale Ensemble and a band performance by Angono National Symphonic Band.  Both also rendered “Mahal Kong Bayan,” a song, by the late Lucio San Pedro (Angono native and National Artist for Music, 1991), that celebrates the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Philippines.

 

Kenote speaker Eric B. Zerrudo of NCCA (photo: George Buid)

A highlight of the evening was the Sayaw ng Bati. Also called Sayaw ng Pagbabati (Dance of Greeting), it is a traditional Philippine Easter Sunday dance to commemorate the Resurrection of Christ.  It is usually led by two main dancers – the tenyenta (lieutenant, Ms. Daphne F. Pundamiera) and a kapitana (captain, Ms. Marie Immacon “Icon” C. Reyes).  These two ladies, wearing grand Filipiniana gowns with full skirts, bent their torsos to the side as they spun and turned to the waltzing tune played by the aforementioned band.

 

Angono Chorale Ensemble and Angono National Symphonic Band (photo: George Buid)

After this entertainment, the acknowledgment and awarding of certificates was done by Ms. Sabina Joy V. Cruz (Executive Council Member, National Committee on Art Galleries) while the closing remarks were delivered by Ms. Maria Teresa B. Rayos del Sol (Vice-Head, Subcommission on Cultural Heritage).  The proceedings culminated with dinner at the LRH Main Dining Hall. 

Sayaw ng Bati (photo: George Buid)

National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA): NCCA Bldg., 633 General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, 1002. Tel: (632) 8527-2192. E-mail: info@ncca.gov.ph. Website: www.ncca.gov.ph. 

Loyola Retreat House - Spirituality and Art Center Angono: Carnation St., Nieves Hills, Brgy. San Isidro, Angono, Rizal. Tel: +63 8651-0191.  Mobile number: (0962) 472-2175. E-mail: loyolaretreathouseinc@gmail.com.

Closing and Turnover Ceremony of Filipino Food Month (Metropolitan Theater, City of Manila)

 

Conclusion and turnover ceremony of Filipino Food Month 2026 

Last May 6, Wednesday, the celebration of Filipino Food Month 2026, a month-long celebration of Filipino food and culinary heritage, officially concluded at the Metropolitan Theater Ballroom, the same venue where it was launched last April 6 with the theme, "Connected by Taste," focused on the appreciation, preservation, and innovation of Filipino food traditions.

 

Ms. Marichu G. Tellano (NCCA Deputy Executive Director for Administration and Support Services)

Dr. Paulo Benito S. Tugbang (DOT Office for Product Development Director)

The late afternoon affair, covered by online and print media, was attended by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Department of Tourism (DOT, the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement (PCHM), the four lead agencies of Filipino Food Month 2026.  During the closing ceremony, these four agencies looked back on the various projects and events held throughout the month-long celebration.

 

Mr. Jose Antonio Miguel “Jam” Melchor (PCHM Founder and President)

Atty. Genevieve E. Valicaria-Guevarra (DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs)

Hosting responsibilities for Filipino Food Month usually rotate annually among the four partner agencies and a highlight of the ceremony was the symbolic turnover of the hosting responsibilities, from the NCCA, to the DA, which will lead the celebration for 2027, through the presentation of a tingkep, a traditional handwoven lidded basket crafted by the Pala’wan Indigenous Peoples of Southern Palawan. The tingkep symbolizes the abundance, richness, and diversity of Philippine gastronomy.

 

Presentation of tingkop symbolizing the abundance, richness, and diversity of Philippine gastronomy

Representatives from the four lead agencies of Filipino Food Month 2026

During the event, partners were also recognized. Present were Ms. Marichu G. Tellano, NCCA Deputy Executive Director for Administration and Support Services; Dr. Paulo Benito S. Tugbang, DOT Office for Product Development Director, Mr. Jose Antonio Miguel “Jam” Melchor, PCHM Founder and President; and Atty. Genevieve E. Valicaria-Guevarra, DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs, who each delivered messages of support and solidarity for the continued promotion of Filipino culinary heritage.

 

Malabon National High School's Tanghalang Bagong Sibol Theatre and Dance Co.

The press conference and ceremony also featured  a cultural performance of Malabon National High School's  Tanghalang Bagong Sibol  Theater and Dance Co. (formed in 1997, it bagged awards during the 6th China-ASEAN Theatre Week in 2018) and a live performance of the Filipino Food Month theme song by Filipino folk musician, singer and song writer Ms. Junelle "Bayang" Otero-Barrios. The event culminated in an ASEAN-inspired celebratory merienda cena, reflecting the FFM 2026 theme and the Philippines' ASEAN chairship for the year.

 

Cocohogo at Destileria Limtuaco booth

Sampling champorado at the Kusina ni Mama Sita booth

Guests also got to try out Heirloom Rice + Cacao Champorado (roasted pure cacao blended with glutinous rice resulting in an intensely chocolate-flavored rice porridge) and Beef Pares from the Kusina ni Mama Sita booth as well as Cocohogo is a premium Philippine coconut cream liqueur launched by Destileria Limtuaco in August 2025. It blends real coconut cream with their signature pot-distilled rum, creating a velvety, tropical liqueur aimed at providing a smooth, "summer in a bottle" experience.