NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
s0ifur of it) ’ t: rr
'22 JUL 13 PI :12
SENATE
s.No. 492
IllCtlV; E'.
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING PHILIPPINE PARTICIPATION IN THE 
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS OF THE VENICE BIENNALE
EXPLANATORY NOTE
With the inception of the 1895 International Art Exhibition in Venice, the Venice 
Art Biennale remains the oldest and most prestigious international contemporary art 
exhibition. Now on its 58th edition. Biennale Arte has been held every other year since 
1895. The first Biennale was opened on April 30,1895 by the King and Queen of Italy, 
Umberto I, and Margherita di Savoia.
In the following years, exhibitions and festivals for the other arts were 
established: Biennale Musica in 1930 (International Festival Contemporary Music), 
Biennale Teatro in 1934 (International Theater Festival), and the Venice Film Festival 
in 1934 (Venice International Film Festival).
The first Philippine participation in the Venice Biennale was in 1964 during the 
32nd Venice Art Biennale through the initiatives of the Art Association of the 
Philippines, where the works of painter Jose Joya and sculptor Napoleon Abueva were 
established. In 2015, the Philippines returned to the Venice Biennale and participated 
in the 56th International Art Exhibition. After a 51-year hiatus, the Philippines 
showcased an exhibition curated by Dr. Patrick Flores titled Tie a String Around the


World, featuring the works of Jose Tence Ruiz, Manny Montelibano, and National 
Artists Manuel Conde and Carlos //Botong// Francisco.
In 2016, the Philippines/ first participation in the International Architecture 
Exliibition was marked by the exhibition curated by Andy Locsin, Jr. and Architects 
Sudarshan Khadka, Jr. and Juan Paolo dela Cruz, titled Muhon; Traces of an 
Adolescent City. In 2017, the Philippine Pavilion in the 57th International Art 
Exhibition presented the exhibition titled "The Spectre of Comparison," curated by 
Joselina Cruz, which featured artists Lani Maestro and Manuel Ocampo. In 2021, the 
Philippines received the Special Mention as National Participation honor from the 
Venice Biennale for the Structures of Mutual Support exhibition created by 
Framework Collaborative composed of the members of the Gawad Kalinga Enchanted 
Farm community. Architect Sudarshan V. Khadka Jr., and Architect Alexander 
Eriksson Furunes. The Special Mention is the first time the country has been 
recognized in the prestigious exhibition since its first participation in 1964.
This bill seeks to institutionalize the country's participation yearly in the 
international exhibitions of the Venice Biennale. To carry out the mandate under this 
Act, the Philippine Arts in Venice Biennale Coordinating Committee (PAVB-CC) is 
hereby created to be lodged in the NCCA.
Recognizing the important role of the arts in fostering patriotism and 
nationalism and the vital part of the culture and the arts in democratic and inclusive 
nation-building, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
LOREN LEGARDA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. 4 9 2
, 
I 
-rw'ts'Ui -
‘22 JUL13 PI :13
Rl'CEIVD) 3’;
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING PHILIPPINE PARTICIPATION IN THE 
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS OF THE VENICE BIENNALE
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Arts in Venice
2 
Biennale Act of2022".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to:
4 
a. Recognize the important role of the arts in fostering patriotism and
5 
nationalism and promoting human liberation and development;
6 
b. Recognize the vital part of the culture and the arts in democratic,
7 
pluralistic, and inclusive nation-building;
8 
c. Nurture, promote, and sustain Filipino cultural and artistic diversity
9 
that mirrors and shapes Philippine economic, social, and political
10 
life;
11 
d. Advance art as a form of expression and understanding and a force
12 
for achieving creative breakthrouglrs;
13 
e. Evolve, promote and conserve Filipino national art and culture that
14 
mirrors and shapes Philippine economic, social, and political life;
15 
anci
16 
f. Promote and disseminate to the most significant number of people
17 
the talent and ingenuity of our artists.


1 
Sec. 3. The Philippine Participation in the International Exhibitions of the Venice
2 
Biennale. - The country shall endeavor to participate yearly in the international
3 
exhibitions of the Venice Biennale held in Venice, Italy.
4 
Sec. 4. The Philippine Arts in Venice Biennale Coordinating Committee. - The
5 
Philippine Arts in Venice Biennale Coordinating Committee (PAVB-CC) is hereby
6 
created to oversee the country's participation annually in the Venice Biennale
7 
exhibitions in Venice, Italy. It shall act as coordinator and commissioner for the
8 
Philippine Pavilion in the Biennale Exliibitions and lead in the following activities:
9 
a. Manage the selection process for curatorial proposals;
10 
b. Coordinate the timely installation of the Philippine Pavilion in
11 
Venice and of the homecoming exhibition; and
12 
c. Such other activities that may be necessary for the execution of its
13 
mandate.
14 
The PAVB-CC shall be lodged in the National Commission for Culture and the
15 
Arts (NCCA). When necessary, the Department of Foreign Affairs shall provide
16 
administrative support through its foreign posts.
17 
Sec. 5. Homecoming. - All Philippine Pavilion exhibitions shall be installed and
18 
mounted in appropriate government facilities and exhibition spaces for at least one
19 
year for the viewing and appreciation of the general public.
20 
Sec. 6. Appropriations. - The initial funding of this Act shall be taken from the
21 
current year's appropriations of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
22 
Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continued implementation shall be included
23 
in the annual General Appropriations Act.
24 
Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the date
25 
of effectivity of this Act, the NCCA shall formulate the rules and regulations for the
26 
proper implementation of this Act.
27 
Sec. 8. Separabilihj Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
28 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in
29 
full force and effect.
30 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive and administrative orders, rules
31 
and regulations inconsistent with the foregoing provisions are hereby repealed or
32 
modified accordingly.


1 
Sec. 10. Ejfectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its
2 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,