SURIGAO DEL NORTE — A deep sense of pride and gratitude was felt across the Province of Surigao del Norte during the formal opening and blessing of the new Provincial Arts Theater and the launching of the Schools of Living Traditions (SLT) held on February 24, 2026. The event was part of the broader National Arts Month 2026 celebrations in the province, which featured the theme “Buyan nan Arte Surigaonon, Ani ng Sining: Katotohanan at Giting.” Held in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), this milestone reflects the province‘s unwavering commitment to preserving and promoting culture, arts, and traditions while providing a platform for showcasing the talents of the local community. The Schools of Living Traditions program, a major NCCA initiative, aims to ensure that traditional knowledge and artistic practices are passed on to younger generations.
A New Home for Culture and the Arts
Organized by the PGO–Culture and Arts Office under the leadership of OIC Jolly Joyce C. Tibay, the activity began with a blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony. The program officially opened with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and the Surigao March performed by the SNSU Chorale. In her welcome message, Tibay highlighted the importance of the initiative for cultural preservation. The Provincial Arts Theater will serve as a central hub for culture and the arts in Surigao del Norte, providing a dedicated space for performances, exhibits, and cultural events.
Recognizing Surigaonon Authors and Cultural Bearers
One of the highlights of the event was the recognition of Surigaonon authors who have made significant contributions to the preservation of language and culture. Honored were Rowella R. Parrucho for “Waya-waya sanan Jaun-jaun: A Language Description of Sinurigao,” Eliza E. Bayang for “Ortograpiyang Surigaonon ug Folklor ng Mindanao,” Merdolyn C. Lloren for “Ortograpiyang Surigaonon,” and Kenneth Charles E. Ferol for “Assessment of Surigaonon Practices Towards Cultural Tourism”. Their work underscores the province‘s commitment to documenting and preserving the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the Surigaonon people.
Schools of Living Traditions: Passing Knowledge to the Next Generation
The Schools of Living Traditions (SLT) is an initiative designed to pass on traditional knowledge and artistic practices to the younger generation. As a key program of the NCCA, the SLT framework ensures that cultural masters and bearers can formally teach skills and techniques of traditional arts and crafts to the youth. The celebration concluded with a Community Mamanwa Dance, performed by SLT cultural bearers and workers, symbolizing a living, vibrant, and continuously preserved indigenous culture in the province. This program ensures that the cultural practices, oral traditions, and art forms of Surigao del Norte‘s indigenous communities are not lost but are actively taught and practiced by the youth.
A Symbol of Surigaonon Identity and Pride
The Provincial Arts Theater and the Schools of Living Traditions stand as powerful symbols of Surigaonon identity and pride. They represent a forward-looking approach to cultural preservation, blending modern infrastructure with the timeless value of traditional knowledge. For the community, this milestone is a reminder that culture is not just something to be remembered—it is something to be lived, shared, and passed on.
