Felipe de Leon Jr. Archives

Filipino artists inspired by Rizal featured in 2017 Venice Art Biennale

In an exhibit that aims to present art as witness to life, and society’s ills and conflicts, two Filipino artists tapped into Rizal’s work to re-define 19th century political resistance for the 2017 Venice Art Biennale. This year, the works of Lani Maesto and Manuel Ocampo, dubbed as The Spectre of Comparison, and curated by Joselina Cruz, will be mounted at the Arsenale, one of the event’s main exhibition spaces. The Spectre of Comparisons was drawn from the phrase El demonio de las comparaciones of Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, a book that reflected the Filipino society under the Spanish regime. “The phrase encapsulates the experience of Rizal’s protagonist, Crisostomo Ibarra, when he gazes out at the botanical gardens of Manila and simultaneously sees the gardens of Europe,” Cruz said in a statement.

March 1, 2017

Sudarshan Khadka Jr., Juan Paolo de la Cruz, Domingo Nolasco, Felipe de Leon Jr.

Filipino architects, artists depict ‘adolescent’ Manila in Venice

The finissage or closing ceremony of the 15th Venice Architecture Biennale in late November was a momentous and bittersweet one. It was the first time for the Philippines to participate

December 6, 2016

Senator Legarda with NCCA public information chief Rene Napeñas, ABS-CBN current affairs head Ging Reyes, and ANC official Cilette Liboro Co

Watch out for ‘Dayaw’

One-hundred thirty-one. This is the number of languages and ethno-linguistic groups in the Philippines. Each ethnic group boasts of its own unique way of life, genius, and subculture, contributing to Filipino identity.

October 24, 2016

Why Freddie Aguilar can’t just sing and strum his way to NCCA chairmanship

Like a tired refrain, Freddie Aguilar has been repeatedly announcing he has accepted the chairmanship of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts with nary a challenge from the media, NCCA and Malacañang itself.

July 20, 2016

Indigenous weaves in the (high-end) spotlight

Gaddang weaver Carina Amsiwen sat on the floor as she prepared the threads on the warp frame and set every single piece on the loom.

June 26, 2016

‘Development aggression’ blamed for ‘lumad’ killings in Mindanao

SINCE 2010, about 68 indigenous people have met untimely deaths. The number includes leaders of different cultural communities fighting for their ancestral domain and territories as well as children, according

September 28, 2015

NCCA slammed for ‘anti-artist, -writer,’ ‘pro-pork barrel’ new grant rules

GROUPS of writers and performing artists are voicing their opposition to the new guidelines of this year’s grants program of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), saying

September 14, 2015

NCCA makes call for grant proposals

THE NATIONAL Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), led by its chair Felipe M. de Leon Jr. and OIC executive director Adelina M. Suemith, is now accepting proposals for

August 31, 2015

NCCA backs Aquino in national artist brouhaha

Seeking to put the matter to rest, the head of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has written President Aquino assuring him that the commission, along with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), “respects” his decision excluding Nora Aunor from the list of national artists.

June 27, 2014

Nora Aunor’s fans, backers ain’t giving up yet

The fight is far from over, as far as the Superstar’s supporters are concerned. Inevitably, the noninclusion of actress-producer Nora Aunor on the roster of newly declared National Artists has resulted in numerous complaints among artists and ordinary citizens alike—with the most vehement objection coming from a National Artist and the chair of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

June 23, 2014