Overview

The month of February is not only a month of hearts but also a month of arts.

PIAF or The Philippine International Arts Festival is a yearly occasion celebrated during the whole month of February. Last Febraury 2011, the Philippines marked its 20 years of celebrating the National Arts Month through a month-long festival that was launched by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to honor the Philippine National Arts Month in February. The festival involves both local and international artists, and arts and culture organizations from all over the world.

A large number of local artists in different parts of the country gather for the biggest artistic celebration and competition. There are also guest artists from Japan, Lithuania, Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates.

The activities in the festival arranged and designed by the NCC under the Comissioner Ricardo de Ungria for Subcommission for the Arts feature the seven arts – architecture, cinema, dance, literature, music, theater, and visual arts.

The festival contains screenings and mini-performances like Higantes, marching bands, and street dances. The organizers of the festival also conduct a workshop for different kind of arts during the grand opening as a part of the celebration. The festival showcases the originality, creativity, skills, styles, and talents of the Filipinos. The celebration of the arts month was approved by the President Corazon C. Aquino.

NCCA is the main sponsor of the activities done at the festival, with the collaboration with other supporters and organizers - The Philippine Centre of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), culture and arts organizations, and local government units (LGUs).

Some of the Activities and Events during the Previous Celebration of Festival

• Walai-Vernacular Architecture of Mindanao
• Sinerehiyo
• Sayaw Pinoy
• Tanghal! The 3rd National University Theater Festival
• Taboan: Philippine Writers Festival
• Organik Muzik
• Philippine Visual Arts Fest
• 2nd Sining Pambansa in Baguio City