File photo MANILA - Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr. on Wednesday underscored the importance of art to Filipinos, saying it plays a valuable role in strengthening "our sense of nationalism." As the country celebrates National Arts Month, he said the government should gear up to putting more effort into promoting arts that "can be instrumental in driving tourism growth." Former president Corazon Aquino declared February as National Arts Month under Presidential Proclamation 683. It is during this time that Filipino artists are honored for their contributions to the country's history, culture, and overall development as a nation. This year, the theme of National Arts Month is "Ani ng Sining, Bunga ng Galing." It alludes to the bounty of extraordinary, one-of-a-kind works borne from the passion and talents of Filipino artists. "It is unfortunate to note. that for many people art comes second fiddle to fields deemed more serious, lu