Cavite tourism office presents 2020 arts & culture accomplishments, 2021 plans
By Ruel Francisco
TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite, Feb 4 (PIA) – The Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO) presented a review of its programs and activities undertaken last year amidst the health crisis brought by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a preview of its plans this year in the 1st Organizational Meeting of Cavite Provincial Council for Culture, Arts and Heritage (CPCCAH) held January 22, 2021.
In celebration of the National Arts month in February 2020, PTCAO joined the three-day arts camp festival held February 6 – 8, 2020 – the Paghilom Festival with the theme, “20/20 Linaw Tanaw” hosted for the 3rd time by the Alitaptap Artists Village in Barangay Halang, Amadeo with the participation of almost 600 artists.
To celebrate and promote the culture of Cavite province, during the Cavite Month Celebration, a Cavite Culture Photo Contest with the theme “What does Cavite culture mean to me?” was conducted with 31 aspiring photographers competing. Announcement of winners was held on May 29, 2020 with the overall champion from Ternate winning P10,000 and a plaque for his piece “Philippine Flag in Aguinaldo Shrine” photo.
On June 12, 2020, PTCAO also joined the commemoration of the 122nd Independence Day, the extraordinary time during the height of the pandemic made this year’s celebration rather short and simple and limited to a small number of guests and expectators.
To bring a musical relief to Caviteños who were caught facing different challenges after six months of lockdown, the PGC through the PTCAO in partnership with the CPCCAH collaborated for the “MusiKabite: Acoustic Live Performance” that featured the province’s local artists on September 11, 2020.
On the other hand, in efforts to slowly open the province’s economy through the opening of tourism related establishments, Cavite Tourism featured Cavite E-Culinaria showcasing superb tasting dishes and specialties of Calle Real Restaurant in Tanza, Cavite and Asiong Caviteño Restaurant in Silang, Cavite.
In addition, to enhance the promotion of Cavite’s rich culture and history, the Cavite Museum: A Virtual Tour was launched on November 3 featuring the Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite.
And finally, to help the returning Overseas Filipino Workers in Cavite whose livelihood were heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the PTCAO in partnership with the Cavite Migration and Development Office and Design Center of the Philippines conducted a webinar entitled “Sining Kabuhayan for Returning OFWs in Cavite” last November 25, 2020.
On the other hand, PTCAO’s proposed programs for 2021 are geared towards the protection, preservation and promotion of culture and heritage, inculcation of values towards the common good, promotion of creative skills and the strengthening of culture-sensitive governance while also prioritizing recovery and response projects for the constituents of the province. (Ruel Francisco/CCCAH)
