1:00 AM—though the hour may be late, my energy is boundless in advocating for our nation’s culture and arts. We successfully defended the proposed FY 2025 budget for our cultural agencies—the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), National Library of the Philippines (NLP), and National Archives of the Philippines (NAP)—as well as the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
In these deliberations, we championed increased funding for cultural programs, the restoration of historical structures, and more support for art exhibitions. This amended budget ensures the Philippines shines on the world stage: our participation in the Venice Biennale will continue, and we will proudly stand as the Guest of Honour at the prestigious Frankfurter Buchmesse. The Schools of Living Traditions (SLTs) and the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) will receive sustained support, honoring and preserving the unique artistry of our Indigenous cultural masters.
These are the agencies that never tire me, for they nurture the very soul of our nation.
I am truly grateful to chair the Senate Committee on Arts and Culture, which was established as a stand-alone committee under the leadership of then Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.
I am beyond blessed to serve as an instrument in fortifying our collective identity through culture, arts, and heritage—and I would defend it for a lifetime if I could.
