NQC to Brief the Nation On the Quincentennial
Posted on 23 April 2020
By NQC Admin
The National Quincentennial Committee (NQC) designated 27 April 2020 as the reckoning date of the 1-year countdown to the main event of the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines (2021 QCP): 500th anniversary of the Victory at Mactan. As the country combats the COVID-19 pandemic, various stakeholders of the 2021 QCP will come together to keep the public abreast about the milestones in 2021 through “Countdown to 500 Special.”
The public may join in the discussion primarily on the official Facebook page of the Radio-Television Malacañang, the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), and the National Quincentennial Committee (NQC) from 8am to 8:30 p.m. It will be cross posted on various government pages.
Facilitated by the PCOO and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the “Countdown to 500 Special” complements the current government campaign against COVID-19, alluding that the present generations of Filipinos are enthusiastic to be victorious in the battle of humanity against COVID-19—inspired by the triumphant, heroic examples of Lapulapu and the recorded heroes in our nation’s history over the past 500 years. According to PCOO Representative to NQC Asec. Ramon Cualoping III, “We take inspiration from the past as we fight the battle of our lives to stop COVID-19”
Cualoping further said: “On April 27, Monday, the grateful Filipino nation will commemorate the 499th anniversary of the Victory at Mactan. The event was among the inspirations of the founders of the Filipino nation in the 19th century, reminding each and every Filipino that over adversity and struggles we triumph always.”
PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar will lead the “Countdown to 500 Special” as host of two segments. Among the confirmed resource persons are National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab and National Artist for Film Kidlat Tahimik, NHCP Chairperson Dr. Rene R. Escalante, Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna Feria, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan, and Guiuan Municipal Mayor Annaliza Kwan. Former Presidential Spokesperson and now Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ernesto C. Abella and film director Jason Paul Laxamana will join the pool of moderators.
Follow the link for the program, resource persons, and topics [link].
Meanwhile, around thirty quincentannial major activities had been canceled or postponed by the NQC, here and abroad, due to COVID-19. This includes a military parade, international conferences, cultural exchanges program, the visitation of Portuguese training ship, and unveiling of government projects.
Follow the link for the list of COVID-19-affected quincentennial activities [link].
In the meantime, the NQC is active in engaging the public through social media, www.facebook.com/nqc2021. It continuously generates educational materials on the said Facebook page, as well as on its official website www.nqc.gov.ph and YouTube Channel. Among the materials shared online during the extended community quarantine is the context of Yoyoy Villames’ landmark composition, “Magellan” [link]
Moreover, the NQC is calling for Filipino artists to join the Quincentennial Art Competition, with over two million pesos cash prizes at stake. Follow the link for the details about the competition [link].
Furthermore, the NQC has scheduled the release of the songs comprising the Quincentennial Playlist every other two weeks on Spotify. This is in collaboration with PhilPop, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Follow the link for details [link].
Access the comprehensive list of the calendar of activities here [link].
To learn more about the celebration, kindly follow the link [link].
