Philippines Welcomes ASEAN Young Artists for BOAPA 2026

Sharing the vision of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in fostering a region that  values peace, inclusivity, and mutual understanding, the Philippines will host the Best of ASEAN  Performing Arts (BOAPA) 2026: Navigating Cultural Currents from August 5 to 9, 2026, in Manila  and Los Baños, Laguna. 

Organized by the Philippines’ ASEAN National Committee on Culture and Information - Sub Committee on Culture (COCI-SCC PH) through the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in  cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), BOAPA has been one  of ASEAN's flagship cultural initiatives, bringing together emerging and young artists from across  Southeast Asia annually to celebrate the region’s shared heritage while highlighting the unique culture  of each of the ASEAN member states. 

True to the vision of “One Vision, One Identity, One Community,” BOAPA has become a platform  where young artists forge lasting friendships, exchange creative practices, and deepen their  understanding of various cultures that make ASEAN a vibrant and interconnected community  through the years. 

From August 5 to 7, young performers from the 11 ASEAN member-states will gather at the National  Arts Center in Los Baños, Laguna where they will participate in cultural exchange sessions, artistic  workshops, collaborative rehearsals, cultural immersion activities, and interactions with the students  of the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA).  

Their cultural journey culminates on August 9 at 6:00 PM with a performance at the historic  Metropolitan Theater in Manila that will be open to the public. Delegates from each of the ASEAN  member-states will showcase their unique cultural traditions, and then join the Alice Reyes Dance  Philippines in performing excerpts from Rama, Hari, directed and choreographed by National Artist  for Dance, Alice Reyes with music by National Artist for Music, Ryan Cayabyab and libretto by  National Artist for Literature, Bienvenido Lumbera.  

“The Ramayana is part of the common heritage among the countries of Southeast Asia. The  participation of the delegates in a production of the Rama, Hari, as well as their country presentations  will showcase ASEAN’s rich culture and evolving heritage while providing opportunities for 

interaction among the region’s young artists,” said CCP Vice President and Artistic Director, Dennis  N. Marasigan. 

The delegates will also be guests at the inauguration of the ASEAN Cultural Center in Manila earlier  that day, also at the Metropolitan Theater. 

As the Philippines continues with its ASEAN Chairship in 2026, hosting BOAPA reflects the  country’s longstanding commitment to strengthening regional cooperation through culture.  

In bringing together the region’s next generation of cultural bearers, BOAPA 2026 affirms that the  peoples of the ASEAN remain connected by stories and artistic expressions that enable them to  navigate the cultural currents of a shared cultural community.