Do only ‘ghost’ projects get funding?

Working in the arts pays great dividends — spiritual, psychological — but rarely financial or economic.

- DOREEN G. YU

For every successful musician, actor, dancer or visual artist, there are thousands of others still struggling, doggedly working at their craft day in and day out, for hours on end, just to be better, to improve their mastery of their craft.

I can’t carry a tune or play a chord or do a jeté, but I have had the privilege of working with and supporting artists. I feed on their creative energies and vicariously, my heart is filled and my spirit uplifted.

The performing arts world cheered when RA 11392 (National Performing Arts Companies Law) was signed in 2018. Six years later, national companies in theater (Tanghalang Pilipino), dance (Philippine Ballet Theater) and choral music (Philippine Madrigal Singers) were named, plus an orchestra grant (Manila Symphony Orchestra).

As a trustee, I was so proud and excited for Tanghalang Pilipino. Beyond the much-deserved accolade, the distinction came with an annual P10-million grant for five years, which meant a little relief from constant fundraising and, more importantly, a raise for the actors and staff to above starvation wages and more scholarships for the Actors Company school. Plans for the season were expanded, especially for the company’s 40th anniversary season in 2026-2027.

But alas, we rejoiced too soon, because as of this month, no money has been released, and it looks like no funds are forthcoming. The companies were told, in no uncertain terms, that the NPAC program “did not receive any subsidy / budget from Congress or the Department of Budget for 2025.”