Stories of devotion and reflection unfold on the CCP Channel this Holy Week

Observing Holy Week is deeply embedded in the Philippines arts and culture as Filipinos commemorate the life, death, and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. But beyond its religious definition, the season calls for reflection and heartfelt reconnections. Embodying the poignant spirit of Holy Week, CCP Channel’s line-up presents stories of moral dilemmas, familial tensions, and life-changing lessons.

Keeping true to its mission of expanding access to Philippine arts and culture, the CCP Channel offers a curated selection of Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival films, entries from Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, Virgin Labfest (VLF) plays, and dance performances from the CCP T(A)YONG Dalawa Project.

Experience Cinemalaya, Gawad Alternatibo, and VLF this April on the CCP Channel

Leading the selection is Hapagkainan, a standout one-act play from VLF 2016 written by Rick Patriarca and directed by Chris Martinez. Set around a seemingly typical family dinner, the story slowly unfolds into a fierce confrontation as suppressed tensions and hard truths surface. This play captures the complexity of Filipino family dynamics and the pressure of unresolved conflicts with satire and dark humor.

From Cinemalaya 2017, Lionel B. Arondaing’s Sa Gabing Nanahimik ang mga Kuliglig (Clouds of Plague) presents a compelling moral conflict set on Good Friday. A priest and a young altar server are burdened with a confession that challenges their faith and sense of justice, prompting reflection on the lines between moral duty and religious beliefs.

Nenok, a 2015 Cinemalaya short film by Rommel Tolentino, follows the story of a nine-year-old street kid who finds shelter in the historic Barasoain Church. Through his mischievous yet emotional journey, the film explores innocence and survival at the intersection of faith and everyday life.

Fresh from the Gawad Alternatibo 2025 comes more selections that further deepen the month’s reflective tone. Pieta by Dy Margarette Cerio and Johnfil Crisjim Nuñez juxtaposes a mother’s anxiety with devotion.

Meanwhile,young filmmaker Jillian Santiago tells a quiet and personal story of a young girl searching for a parent who left home in Farther, Closer, Farther. Through memories and fragments of the past, this third place prize-winner in the Animation Category showcases the contradictory but constant push and pull between distant people connected through longing.

An honorable mention from the recent 37th Gawad Alternatibo, Wika Nadera’s Tirik follows a father visiting the former resting place of his son in a cemetery. As he walks through the space, memories resurface, blending his personal grief with the visible neglect and decay around him. The experimental film becomes a reflection not only on loss, but also on how nostalgia and history intertwine in moments of mourning.

Oda Kay Papa by Johnsep Mari Abode offers a profound documentary on illness and the strength of familial love that endures. Told from the perspective of a devoted wife and son, the film follows a family’s mental and financial struggles as they care for the father, who is bedridden with Parkinson’s disease.

Regional dances that embody love and faith from the CCP T(A)YONG Dalawa Project 

Complementing the film and theater line-up of the CCP Channel are performances from the CCP T(A)YONG Dalawa Project, which offer instructional videos on folk and indigenous dances on love, ritual, and tradition across different regions in the country.

Balse ng Desposorio: Unang Hakbang sa Walang Hangganpresents marriage as both a personal and spiritual journey. The bride and groom are made to understand that forming a family requires believing in what the Lord can do. Performed by Sining Bulakenyo, this dance from Bulacan highlights love as a commitment grounded in deep faith. 

Kasal Dauinanon: Ritwal, Rito, Ug Tradisyonexplores the wedding traditions in Negros Oriental. Through the moving image of his Polaroid, a photographer discovers the magic of the Dauin Church. A dance during the reception, Sulili, follows the rites. Spearheaded by PFDS Negros Oriental Chapter and NORSU, and brought to life by the Kahayag Dance Company, this cultural treasure bridges the old tradition to the modern artistic taste of the younger generation.

A romantic courtship through dance, Valse Zamboangeña: El Paranguas de Amor uses the art of movement to express affection, effort, and the beginnings of love. A shy boy returns the parasol of a girl. Accidentally, they will be partnered in a dance of valse (waltz) where they express their budding feelings for each other. The WMSU Jambangan Dance Troupe beautifully interprets this Spanish-influenced social dance from Zamboanga City.

Serving as a gateway to Philippine arts and culture, the CCP Channel continues to bring meaningful stories and performances closer to audiences anytime, anywhere. By availing a monthly subscription of Php 99 or an annual rate of Php 599, viewers can access a wide range of curated content from the CCP’s archives and productions, ranging from Cinemalaya films to full concert seasons of the revered Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

For more information on the CCP Channel, visit its official website at https://culturalcenterph.channel/. You may purchase a subscription directly through the link. Follow the CCP’s official website (https://culturalcenter.gov.ph/) and social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for updates on its shows, workshops, and productions.