The Kaisa Sa Sining (KSS) Visayas Network of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2nd KSSLAP (Kaisa Ini sa Sining, Lunsay nga Artistang Pilipino) Awards. The awarding ceremony is scheduled for December 14, 2023, at the Luce Auditorium at Silliman University in Dumaguete City.
The eight distinguished awardees are Jose R. Gullas (Cebu/music & cultural work/posthumous), Marianito Luspo Bohol (cultural work), Ramon B. Ramirez (Iloilo/cultural research), Rodolfo Reveche (Murcia, Negros Occ./cultural work), Cristina S. Taniguchi (Dumaguete/visual arts), Alma Taldo (Bohol/music), Dr. Vicente Villan (Sigma-Capiz/cultural research), and Mariant E. Villegas (Dumaguete/dance).
Established in 2014, the Kaisa sa Sining Regional Arts Centers is a collaborative initiative between the CCP, through its Cultural Exchange Department (CED). It aims to strengthen the CCP’s ties with regional educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, and local government units to enhance public participation in the arts, promote artistic excellence, and foster collaboration within communities. Over the past nine years, the CCP and the KSS network have witnessed dynamic growth, expanding to a total of 67 organizations: 26 in Luzon, 19 in Visayas, and 22 in Mindanao.
The KSSLAP Awards, conceived as a recognition for outstanding artists, cultural workers, and organizations, is an outcome of the KSS Visayas regional forum held in Roxas City in 2018. In adherence to this plan, the CCP CED guided the conceptualization, planning, and implementation of the project. In 2021, the inaugural set of awards was presented to thirteen honorees through virtual and on-site ceremonies due to the pandemic.
The KSSLAP Awards aim to acknowledge deserving individuals and organizations in Visayas that have demonstrated commendable work and services in cultural and artistic endeavors for at least ten (10) years or more. The criteria include exceptional accomplishments in creative work, leadership, resource management, education, artist support, audience development, community service, solidarity, and partnership.
The CCP KSS Visayas network, comprising 19 members, includes various entities such as the Province of Capiz, the City of Calbayog, the City of Ormoc, the City of Bago, the City of Himamaylan, the Municipality of Murcia, the Municipality of Cuartero-Capiz, the Municipality of Sta. Barbara-Iloilo, University of Antique, Central Phil. University-Iloilo City, University of St. La Salle-Bacolod City, Silliman University-Dumaguete City, Holy Name University-Tagbilaran City, University of Eastern Phils.-Catarman Samar, Leyte Normal University-Tacloban City, St. Joseph College-Maasin Leyte, Arts Council of Cebu, Negros Cultural Foundation, and the Sigmahanon Foundation for Culture and Arts.
For additional information, please contact the CCP CED at ccp.ced2014@gmail.com.
