Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

av
HOUSE BILL NO. _496 7

Introduced by Representative Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica
4" District, Bulacan

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation Inc. (BKFI) is a community theater organization
that continuously developed and promoted the richness of Philippine history and culture
through its original productions in many performance venues both here and abroad.
Since its inception, it has done hundreds of one-act performances and full length
productions which are mostly original and possessed of the highest quality of industry.
In recognition of its excellent artistry, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) gave
it the highest honor that it can bestow to Filipino artists whose artistry is beyond
question when it was conferred the Gawad CCP para sa Sining.

This bill seeks for the designation of the BKFI as the National Community Theater
Company of the Philippines to give recognition to an outstanding theatre company and
elevating it to a national status symbolical of its unswerving excellence as a community
theatre of the country and at the same time inspire the group to organize greater
number of community theatre companies serving as a honing ground for the youth in

the formation of positive vales and quality education thus serving the cause of the
nation.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Si Meer

REP. LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

Second Regular Session _
4967

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica
4" District, Bulacan

AN ACT DESIGNATING THE BAYANIHAN PHILIPPINE DANCE COMPANY AS
THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL FOLK DANCE COMPANY, DEFINING ITS ROLE
AND FUNCTIONS AS SUCH, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - Pursuant to Article II, Sections 17 and 23, and Article
XIV, Sections 14, 15 and 18(2) of the Philippine Constitution, it is hereby declared the
policy of the State to appropriately recognize, designate and support nongovernment
organizations that have demonstrated pioneering, long, consistent and unassailable
competence, effectiveness and success in researching and documenting Philippine folk
art and culture and transforming these into art forms and cultural fame that have won
and continue to win national as well as international validity, recognition, acceptance
and renown,

Section 2. Designation as Philippine National Folk Dance Company. - The Barasoain
Kalinangan Foundation Inc. is hereby designated as the National Community Theater
Company of the Philippines, in recognition of its having fulfilled the norms of the above-
cited national policy, and having satisfied the following criteria:

(a) It is national in scope. It tackles and presents the arts, culture, traditions,
issues, and concerns of the nation and it draws the best artists from all over the
country;

(b) It is the best in its field in the country. It has maintained the highest
standard of excellence, manifested in the quality of its production, artists, artistic staff,
activities and products;


(c) It is world-class, having represented the country in numerous touring
engagements, festivals, competitions and international events and having been
acclaimed by foreign audiences and critics alike; and

(d) It has a track record artistically; has a regular and continuing set of activities
in pursuit of its mission; and was able to maintain a viable and sustainable organization
to support its programs.

Section 3. Role and Functions. — As the National Community Theater Company of the
Philippines, the Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation Inc. shall discharge the following roles
and functions:

(a) Undertake a continuing program of research and documentation of Philippine
folk and contemporary theatre culture with emphasis on myths, folktales, fiteratures,
oral traditions, culture and pop-drama accompanying songs, music, design and props.
This program will constitute the raw materials for the enrichment of script, music,
choreography and costumes suitable for staging as the Barasoain Kalinangan
Foundation’s productions and repertoire for national as well as international tableaux
performances;

(b) Document the research and its results as books, publications, compact discs,
digital-video discs and other forms of media or mass distribution intended for schools
and the public, thereby sharing the output of the program with all Filipinos as well as
the international audience;

(c) Develop a pool of community theatre artists, playwrights, directors and
technical theatre masters responsible for organizing, training and maintaining a
permanent corps of community theatre personnel that will monitor the development of
community theatre all over the country whose sole function is to implement a
community theatre program in all regions to transfer the technology of organizing and
mounting plays through workshops, seminars and laboratory-trainings, open to talented
Filipinos all over the country;

(d) Develop and maintain a world-class company to perform during state visits
and other state occasions and events, both in the Philippines and abroad;

(e) To conduct fund raising projects such as ticket selling, solicitations, corporate
sponsorships, benefit shows and other activities to further support other Barasoain
Kalinangan Foundation Inc. projects; and

(f) As a special role and function in connection with the celebration of Philippine
Independence every year, Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation Inc. is committed to mount


new tableaux based on themes and topics for national performance and/or international
production abroad.

Section 4. Entitlement, — The Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation Inc. shall be entitled to
the following:

(a) Free use of theatre facilities at the Cultural Center of the Philippines for
performances and stage rehearsals: provided, however, that a reasonable amount for
electric and water bills may be charged;

(b) Free use of office space, rehearsal studios, production and technical facilities
at the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) facilities in Malolos,
Bulacan: provided, further, that a reasonable amount for electric and water bills may be
charged; and

(c) Project grants for research, documentation and/or production from the
National Commission on Culture and Arts.

Section 5, Memorandum of Agreement. — Within thirty (30) days upon effectivity of this
Act, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the national Historical Commission of the
Philippines shall execute the necessary arrangements with the Barasoain Kalinangan
Foundation Inc, in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations.

Section 6, The President of the Philippines may hereby designate, upon the
recommendation of the Secretary of Education and the Cultural Center of the
Philippines, addiffonal national community theatre companies with the same
entitlements and privileges accorded by this Act.

Section 7. Appropriation of Funds. ~ The amount of Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00)
is hereby appropriated to support the roles and functions stated in Section 3 of this Act.
Thereafter, such sums necessary to sustain the aforestated roles and functions shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 8, Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected
thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, rules and regulations, inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Section 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following the
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.