t0519kristo_feat7_6 — JOHN Delan Robillos, vice head of NCCA-NCAG, talks about the beginnings of “Kristo Manila.” TIU

Now on its ninth year, the “Kristo Manila” art exhibit has for its theme Christ’s resurrection in “A Heritage of Art in Faith.”

The annual exhibit, inspired by the Passion of the Christ, raises awareness about cultural heritage, particularly the role played by Christian iconography in Philippine culture and the arts.

For the first time, the exhibit is on a longer run. It is now mounted at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Gallery in connection with the celebration of May as National Heritage Month.

NCCA Gallery’s Mimi Santos, Bryan Llapitan, Rafael Santos, and National Committee on Art Galleries (NCAG) vice head John Delan Robillos make up the curatorial team.

Taoid is an Ilocano word for “inheritance” or mana. The word has been adopted by NCCA as the official name of its annual yearlong heritage program conceptualized, implemented and overseen by the Subcommission for Cultural Heritage (SCH) to emphasize the importance of bequeathing culture and tradition to succeeding generations.

t0519kristo_feat7_1 — “LAMANO Poderosa (The All-Powerful Hand of God),” by Ryan Carreon

“We are very excited that this exhibition is currently on view at NCCA Gallery to coincide with National Heritage Month. This is art and culture that truly evolves and endures. Ecclesiastical art and Christian iconography have a rich history. When we visit our churches, many of them centuries old, we sometimes forget that the images, from the retablos to the frescos on the ceilings and walls, are contributions to the history of local ecclesiastical art, and they must be included in conservation efforts being made for the church structures,” said Fr. Harold Rentoria, head of the NCCA-SCH, who graced the exhibit launch. “It is heartwarming that artists continue to embrace this genre using their own contemporary styles.”

Renditions that emphasize the ultimate message of Christ’s sacrifice, which is the gift of everlasting life, continue the spirit of “Kristo Manila” with the hope of fostering faith and keeping tradition by giving viewers a visual form of alternative meditation and cultural immersion.

The NCCA leg of “Kristo Manila 2014: A Heritage of Art in Faith,” is on view until May 31. NCCA is at 633 General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila; tel. 5272192.