The Cultural Center of the Philippines eases up to better normal with artistic programming that answers the contemporary time’s call. The premiere cultural institution laid out its plans and projects for 2022 and the following years in a recent press conference held at the Main Theater Lobby.
“2022 will be a year for recovery. It will be a year when we march on to a better normal and create a better future for our nation. We don’t know the long-term effects of the pandemic on the arts communities and our audiences, but this is the year we soldier on,” said CCP chairperson Margie Moran-Floirendo in her welcome remarks.
For artistic matters, the Office of the Artistic Director has been working on the inaugural season of the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Blackbox Theater), as well as the upcoming CCP’s 53rd anniversary.
2022 will be a year of recognitions, honoring exemplar Filipinos for their artistic excellence and numerous contributions to nation-building and empowering. The CCP, with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, will be proclaiming the new National Artists. The premiere art institution will also name the Gawad CCP Awardees.
The CCP Intertextual Division provides opportunities for artists to contribute to the canon of Philippine literature through its various events such as the National Children’s Book Day, the VLF Playwrights’ Fair, and Performatura.
The most-anticipated and well-loved festivals such as the Virgin Labfest, Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, and the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) return this year, with hybrid stagings and screenings.
The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra returns with its concert season, starting September. The orchestra hopes to do an on-site Tricks and Musical Treats: A PPO Family Concert, the annual orchestral adventure for kids to appreciate, learn, and experience the different sounds of musical instruments in the orchestra.
Watch out for PPO Young People’s Concert online, featuring young talented soloists accompanied by the CCP resident orchestra.
NEW DIGITAL PROJECTS FOR ARTISTS
The CCP Board of Trustees recommends new programs and projects focusing on the Philippine rich cultures and traditions to develop the value of nationalism among the youth.
To be executed by concerned departments, the CCP BOT will roll out “Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang” where selected stories from the well-loved Filipino literary classics by Severino Reyes will turn into short animation films, the CCP Animation and Comics Grants highlighting the Filipino folktales and epics, and the CCP Game Development Grant. The output of these grants will be uploaded in the CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Arts Digital (EPAD).
Aside from that EPAD will be continuously updated and enhanced with new contents, including the Media Gallery, a virtual repository of still and moving images, the Timeline of Philippine Art documenting the history and diachronic development of Philippine arts, and documentaries on Philippine theater particularly Sarsuwela, komedya, Sinakulo and Bodabil.
The CCP Channel, under the Cultural Content Department, will premiere its own productions such as #FromTheArchives educational videos based on the center’s events, #AllInADaysWork documentations of day-to-day activities of the cultural workers at the CCP, and The Buffeteria Conversations with cultural movers sharing stories about their arts.
Utilizing virtual reality through specially-made cardboard goggles, the CCP 360 Project brings more intimate experiences and unique perspective on CCP and its productions.
Soon to rise at a choice corner of the CCP Complex is the CCP Digital Hub, a one-stop-shop where the general public can access all CCP digital projects through touch screen wall monitors and other immersive devices. It will also have a pop-up cafe and a hole-in-the-wall boutique.
UPSKILLING THE ARTISTS, EDUCATING THE PUBLIC
The CCP expands its programs to include younger audiences, in support of the holistic development of children through arts. This year, the CCP Arts Education Department (AED) will hold the second Children’s Biennale in November.
AED launches Indigenous Lullabies, featuring poems and music of indigenous lullabies in music videos for parents and other nurturers. The lullabies from the regions are based on ethnomusicological research, arranged by an esteemed musical director, performed by contemporary artists and nurturers and visualized on-screen by young filmmakers.
Instructional videos on folk and indigenous dances from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will be produced and distributed to educators. The videos will focus on the significance of the dance, music and costume, dance instruction, and performance.
There are also ongoing projects: Young At Art, a series featuring children having conversations with artists, is now on its third season; Arts Online, a learning resource and lecture series for art educators; Sining Sa Eskwela, teacher training in the arts; Sining Galing art-based psycho-social activities; CCP Summer Arts Academy, a specialized teacher training program in the arts and K-to-12 arts and design; Hands-On Choral Workshop, among others.
The Production and Exhibition Department has been providing technical theater and design training on lights, sets, and sound. They also have an apprenticeship program that provides hands-on training and exposure in various performance genres and interactions with designers and technical theater practitioners.
REACHING THE REGIONS
The Cultural Exchange Department (CED) continues to expand its partnerships in the regions through its Kaisa sa Sining (KSS) program. Currently, the CED has 23 regional partners in Luzon, 19 in Visayas, and 18 in Mindanao.
Under the KSS, the CCP provides Apprenticeship Program for regional cultural workers and gives awards and recognitions to outstanding regional artists, cultural workers and organizations.
Lakbay Sining, touring programs, continue this year with Art in the Workplace (Sining sa Tanggapan) and Local Tour Grants for communities affected by recent typhoons. Through Ugnayan sa Sining, CCP will hold a music camp and outreach concerts with the Sing Philippines Youth Choir.
After two years, the CCP Office of the President carries on with its outreach concerts and activities featuring the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Bayanihan, and other resident companies. This year, catch the PPO in Iloilo, Taguig, Manila Hotel, Laguna, Isabela, Cagayan, Bohol, Cebu, Samar and Leyte, while look out for Bayanihan in Palawan.
There will be Band Festival: Banda Rito, Banda Roon, in celebration of Tarlac’s 150th founding anniversary; a classical concert featuring French conductor Cousteau, in celebration of the Philippine-France bilateral connections; Ventriloquist Festival and Turandot opera in partnership with the Philippine-Italian Association.
REHABILITATION OF THE CENTER
The Administration Services Department (ASD) executes a three-year rehabilitation plan of the Tanghalang Pambansa (CCP Main Building) from 2022 to 2024, starting with the renovation of the fourth floor, roof deck, and the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater) and culminating with changes in upper and lower basements.
In the past years, the 50-year-old edifice has been showing signs of deterioration and has been undergoing renovations. During the pandemic, the ASD constructed STP, replaced the escalators, retrofitted the CCP Ramp, and replaced the Cooling Tower.
Beginning this year, the CCP Library and Archives will be relocated to the Design Center Building temporarily to make way for the impending renovation, which will set off the realization of expansion plans that includes a space for content creators and a multimedia research library.
