The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has rolled out a new program for National Arts Month 2026. The series is called Art FriDates. It will run every Friday in February. All events will be held at the Likhang Filipino Exhibition Halls. The venue is part of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) in Pasay City. The location sits at Roxas Boulevard corner Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue.

Art FriDates is meant to showcase the best of Filipino art. The NCCA says the aim is to foster artistic excellence. It also hopes to strengthen cultural appreciation across the country. Local government units (LGUs) will take part. Each LGU will present its own art forms, traditions, and cultural projects.

The first Friday, February 6, will feature Angono, Rizal. Angono is often called the Art Capital of the Philippines. The opening will display the town’s famous Higantes. It will also include local art products. The open house will start at 2:00 p.m. After the open house, Part I of the program will begin. Cultural experts from Angono will give a talk. Part II will feature performances by Angono talents. The shows will highlight the town’s rich artistic heritage.

The second Art FriDates event will be on February 13. The host will be the Province of Bulacan. Bulacan will present its own cultural highlights. The third Friday, February 20, will spotlight Biñan, Laguna. Biñan will display its creative practices. The fourth Friday, February 27, will bring Quezon Province to the stage. Quezon will share its local identity through art. The final event will be on March 6. Muntinlupa City will close the series. Each LGU will select cultural pieces that reflect its heritage.

Details of each program will be announced in the coming days. The NCCA says the schedule will be posted on its website and social media. The agency encourages the public to attend. It also invites schools and community groups to join. The events are free to the public. Seating is on a first‑come, first‑served basis.

National Arts Month is observed every February by Presidential Proclamation No. 683. The proclamation places the NCCA at the forefront of cultural initiatives. This year’s theme is “Ani ng Sining: Katotohanan at Giting.” The theme translates to “Harvest of Art: Truth and Courage.” It underscores the power of the arts to speak truth. It also highlights how art can inspire courage. The theme aligns with the Philippine Development Plan for Culture and the Arts (PDPCA). It also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Through Art FriDates, the NCCA aims to champion the role of the arts in nation‑building. The agency believes that cultural exchange fuels creativity. It also believes that artistic expression mirrors shared realities. The program seeks to articulate the collective aspirations of the Filipino people. By giving LGUs a platform, the NCCA hopes to celebrate the nation’s diverse creative voices.

The NCCA urges everyone to mark the calendar. It invites Filipinos to explore the country’s artistic wealth. It asks citizens to support local artists. It reminds the public that art helps build a peaceful and sustainable future. As National Arts Month continues, Art FriDates will add color and rhythm to the nation’s cultural landscape.