“Mindful of public health and safety, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) regretfully cancels the Pasinaya Multi-Arts Festival 2020 Edition,” writes festival director Ariel Yonzon in a Facebook post. The decision was made in light of the Department of Health’s recent advisory to avoid crowds to lessen the spread of the virus.
In its statement, the CCP notes that “last year, more than 16,000 people participated in the country’s biggest multi-arts festival.” It also quotes CCP artistic director and festival founder Chris Millado saying “as the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus as a public health emergency of international concern, we urge the Filipino people not to panic and remain calm. Let us work together to prevent the virus from spreading. Let us remain vigilant and keep safe.”
Pasinaya is the country’s largest multi-arts festival scheduled every first weekend of February. It’s an open house festival that only requires attendees to make a P50 donation to enter.
Featured photo courtesy of Cultural Center of the Philippines
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