IN celebration of the 2021 National Children’s Month and National Indigenous Peoples’ Month, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) through its Cultural Exchange Department (CED) in partnership with the Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG) Artists Resource Management and Marikina Culture and Arts Council will hold another virtual edition of Kutitap: Isang Piging ng Kabataang Makasining from November 22-27, 2021.

One hundred fifty children and their adult leaders representing various cultural communities all over the country will be gathered for a six-day celebration of arts, culture and traditions.  Now on its 12th year, Kutitap pursues its goals of instilling among the Filipino children and youth a deep sense of understanding, appreciation and pride for Philippine indigenous arts and culture, as well as promote creativity and positive social values.  Kutitap will conduct interactive activities to include mini-workshops and showcases (in dance, drama, music, rituals, visual arts, etc.), storytelling, crafting, traditional games, film viewing, group discussions, creative collaboration, among others.

Since the first gathering in 2009, Kutitap has already reached over 3,014 children from 149 local communities nationwide.  In 2011, the project was redesigned for the benefit of the children in Northern Luzon who were badly affected by typhoons Pedring and Quiel.  For the first time in 2015, Kutitap was brought out of the CCP and was hosted by the City of Batangas.  For the first time too, the program was filmed and presented as part of the Children of Asia research project under the Asian Culture Institute (ACI) in Gwangju, South Korea.  The film made by Kevin K. Park was shown during the opening of the Asia Culture Center (ACC) in Korea.  In 2016, Kutitap was brought to the Visayas under the hosting of the Province of Capiz, in 2017 in Tagum City, in 2018 in Los Baños-Laguna and in 2019 in Koronadal City.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project migrated online last 2020 and was participated by 120 kids from 12 communities nationwide.  The 2021 edition adopts the theme “Mga Batang Makasining Para sa Isang Malusog, Mapagmahal, Mapagmalasakit at Masaganang Buhay” (Creative Children for a Healthy, Independent and Progressive Future).  From November 22-27, Kutitap will engage (virtually and on site) the kids in educational, cultural, creative and other participative activities designed to enable them to learn, understand, and appreciate better the indigenous life, traditions and practices while emphasizing the values of good health, love, compassion and perseverance.  It will also include sessions on indigenous food, games, folktales, music, dance, herbal medicine, film and crafts.

This year’s participants will be children ages 7-13 years old from 15 cultural communities: Mindanao: Manobo-Agusan del Sur, Iranun-Labangan-Zamboanga del Sur, Tboli-Lake Sebu, & Higaonon-Bukidnon; Visayas: Cuartero & Sigma of Capiz, Murcia & Himamaylan of Negros Occidental; Luzon: Mauban-Quezon, Sorsogon, Marinduque, Tagaytay-Cavite; NCR: Tondo, Quezon City and Marikina.

KUTITAP 2021 is also being supported by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) with over 500 books that will be given to all the participants.

For more information, check the CCP Cultural Exchange Department FB account and/or email at ccp.ced2014@gmail.com