Don’t miss these fun-filled artistic events at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) before it temporarily closes next year.
The Cultural Center of the Philippines has always been at the forefront of the country’s culture in the arts. Since 1966, CCP has been steadfast in its commitment to promote and preserve the best of Filipino arts and culture. For aspiring artists, enthusiasts, and audiences, the CCP has become a colorful haven where you can immerse yourself in the Philippines’ diverse beauty through its music, dance, theater, film, broadcast arts, visual and literary arts.
That is why it feels concerning at first to hear about the planned renovation and retrofitting works for the leading cultural institution as announced last September, which will begin in January of 2023 and will be finished in March 2025. Three years without the CCP will definitely make us miss its yearly offerings that satisfy our artistic and cultural needs. But don’t fret, the CCP has a packed lineup this year that will give you excellent and engaging experiences to tide you over. Scroll through to know more about these events.
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PHILIPPINE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
The country’s premier orchestra, Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra returns onstage to give us live performances and an uplifting classical music experience. Entitled Metamorphosis, PPO’s 38th Concert Season features an excellent and exciting lineup of conductors, some of whom are the orchestra’s potential candidates for the Musical Director position. Witness world-class classical music performances, which feature international soloists and renowned Filipino artists on December 16, at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).
A special concert series will also be held at the CCP’s Black Box Theater with a performance of a virtuoso piece from PPO trombonist Ricson Poonin. Have your night filled with some trombone goodness on October 20 at 7 PM.
TURANDOT
Filipino opera fans, rejoice! After two years, a new live opera performance will full CCP’s concert halls through Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot. Co-presented by the CCP, Filipinas Opera Society Foundation, Inc., and Rustan Group of Companies, with the Embassy of Italy, the production promises a grand and dazzling spectacle for Filipino music lovers who will get the chance to listen to Nessun dorma, the most popular tenor aria. Don’t miss Turandot’s limited run on December 9 (8 PM) and on December 11 (3 PM) at the CCP Main Theater.
ART FOR WELLNESS WORKSHOP
Want to elevate your creative abilities? As part of the CCP’s Arts Education Programs, Upskilling In The Performing Arts: Arts For Wellness offers a venue for aspiring artists in the National Capital Region to nurture their talents and explore growth opportunities in the creative industry. And it’s also free! The workshop will be held at CCP’s Tanghalang Huseng Batute from October 25-27 while another specialized training called Dance for Parkinson’s Disease, which incorporates performing arts in mental wellness, will happen from October 27-29. You can register for the event through this link.
KABATAANG GITARISTA
Filipinos who are passionate about playing the classical guitar can enjoy free training sessions through CCP’s Kabataan Gitarista (KG) Program. Organized in 2012 by CCP’s Artist Training Division, the highly successful and fruitful program is open to junior high school students from public schools, with an aim to provide the highest level of classical guitar training for free. CCP is now accepting student applicants from Caloocan, Manila, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Bacoor, and Imus, Cavite. Do you think you have what it takes? Submit your application video now through this link and head on to CCP’s Facebook page for the full program schedule.
CULTURAL DANCE FILMS SCREENING
Celebrate our rich Filipino roots and heritage through CCP’s screening of cultural dance films from all around the archipelago. Titled TA(Y)O: Daloy ng Katauhan, Indak ng Pagkakakilanlan, the cultural event will screen nine films from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, which feature several cultural and community dance troupes. Know more about Filipino dance in the screenings that will be held at the CCP’s Bulwagang Nicanor Abelardo on October 19, at 6 PM. Online screenings will follow in November via the CCP’s Facebook page.
ANG DAKILANG TEATRO NG DAIGDIG
Theater buffs, this one’s for you. As one of CCP’s Black Box Theater’s inaugural productions, Ang Dakilang Teatro Ng Daigdig is an experimental play based on Pedro Calderon de la Barca’s El gran teatro del mundo and Tony Perez’s Hoy, Boyet. Presented by De La Salle College of St. Benilde, the play “highlights how modern Filipinos mentally grasp the pursuit of truth and spiritually cling to the true meaning of life as they navigate the world, which beautifully drowns in an ocean of individualities.” It is directed by Nonon Padilla and stars award-winning actors, Frank Rivera and Sherry Lara. Don’t miss the show on November 4-6 and November 11-13 at the CCP Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (Black Box Theatre).
GUNITA AT PAG-ASA MEDIA ART SHOW
The Donghaeng: Gunita at Pag-asa media art show, which celebrates 73 years of Philippine-Korean friendship, is still ongoing until October 21. From 6 PM to 9 PM, the grand media arts spectacle will be projected at the historic CCP Main Building facade, which you can watch for free. The digital exhibit, which features a visual display on how the Phil-Kor friendship has thrived and flourished over the years, is organized by the CCP, Korean Embassy in the Philippines, the Korean Cultural Center of the Philippines (KCC), and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
CINE EUROPA FILM FESTIVAL
Catch some award-winning European movies for free at the 25th Cine Europa Film Festival. In collaboration with Cine Europa Philippines and organized annually by the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, the CCP gives you a week-long fun cinematic experience with public screenings at the CCP Front Lawn and at the CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde. Head on to the CCP Facebook page to check the schedule and mark your calendars!
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