The Philippines celebrates the National Heritage Month this May. The theme for this year 2026 is “Roots and Horizons: Our Shared Heritage, Our Collective Future.” A fitting theme when Filipinos today are losing their heritage. A Filipino is lost when one doesn’t know his/her cultural history and identity.
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) kicked off the celebration this year on Sunday, May 10. The ceremonial opening was held at the Loyola Retreat House. The retreat house is Angono’s hidden gem of spirituality and art on top of Hieves Hills.
The Loyola Retreat House has stood on the hill since 1964 with an astonishing view of Laguna Lake. Architect Felipe M. Mendoza designed the building complex which occupies seven hectares. A place for a sanctuary of peace and self-expression. A fitting location to ceremonially open the National Heritage Month this May.
A ceremonial lighting of the torch began the National Heritage Month. NCCA Chairman Dr. Eric B. Zerrudo PhD lights up the cauldron and passes the torch’s flame. Angono’s famous papier-mache giants led the parade with the march of bakya (wooden slippers). As the parade reached the chapel the distinguished guests joined the parade dance.
NCCA’s subcommission on Cultural Heritage and National Committee on Art Galleries embraced this year with the opening of the Petros art exhibit just behind the chapel of the retreat house. The untying of the ribbon, a sustainable practice, reuses a Filipino textile as a conscious effort to embrace the heritage.
The Petros art exhibit shows off many of Angono’s talented artists. Their works express creativity and Angono’s heritage. The art exhibit displays why the municipality is called the Art Capital of the Philippines. Here Angono stands out as the creative heart of the country with the various talents it has.
The celebration of the National Heritage Month continues with speeches, recognition, and performances. The NCCA continues to keep the Philippine heritage alive despite the ongoing crisis the country is going through.
As the day ends the program celebration begins. Angono’s best band strikes the first note for the Philippine National Anthem and other hymns. Then a display of Angono’s beautiful sound from the choral groups and the accompaniment of the band. Then, the Philippine Post Office and NCCA unveiled the commemorative stamps for the National Heritage Month 2026.
The final part of the program shows off one of Angono’s heritages. The “Sayaw ng Tenyetna” is Angono’s cultural dance inherited from the Spanish and religious influence. This dance is performed to welcome Easter as the Lenten season ends.
Filipinos can look back on how far they have come this National Heritage Month. An opportunity for both locals and tourists to embrace Filipino culture shaped through time. Everyone is invited to celebrate Filipino heritage through different activities this May.
