Philstage and Office of the First Lady Formalizes ‘Institutional Partnership’
In an Instagram post, Philippine theater alliance, Philstage, announced a solidified ‘institutional partnership’ with the Office of the First Lady, headed by current First Lady Liza Marcos.
“The Office of the First Lady reached out as part of a new initiative to facilitate support to various NGOs through their advocacy partners,” according to Congressman Toff de Venecia, Pangasinan 4th District Representative, Philstage Vice President, and Artistic Director of The Sandbox Collective. “We’re grateful that Philstage was identified as the beneficiary for the performing arts sector, recognizing the organization’s value and decades-long hard work.”
The partnership was formalized during a gathering near Malacañang yesterday, May 30. Along with De Venecia, Philstage President and Trumpets Inc’s Artistic Director Audie Gemora attended the ceremony. The partnership is reportedly a means to bolster Philstage’s goal of “uplifting the performing arts industry in the country”.
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De Venecia further shared with TheaterFansManila.com, “Philstage’s ongoing policy initiatives which began in 2019 include congressional lobbying on legislative reforms such as freelancers’ welfare and protection, amusement tax relief, performing arts development initiatives, and mainstreaming the performing arts in the national governance agenda.”
“Internally, Philstage is in the process of crafting of a code of ethics and professionalization standards for the guidance of our members.” Additionally, “Philstage will also embark on generating more market intelligence and audience development initiatives towards sustainability, as well capacity-building initiatives to help empower emerging players and cohorts outside NCR towards a strong, vibrant, and inclusive national performing arts industry.”
This alliance is the beginning of several partnerships Philstage is looking to foster. As per Philstage, “We’re excited to pursue and formalize more partnerships in the coming months with both government and the private sector to benefit our stakeholders.”
Philstage is the alliance of Manila-based professional companies in the theatrical arts. Current Philstage company members include 9 Works Theatrical/The Sandbox Collective, Actors Actors/The Necessary Theater, Ballet Manila, Barefoot Theatre Collaborative, Culturtain Musicat Productions, Full House Theater Company, Gantimpala, PETA, Philippine Opera Company, Repertory Philippines, Stages, Tanghalang Pilipino, Trumpets, Twin Bill Theater, Upstart Productions, and Theatre Titas.
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