Cultural Center of the Philippines to showcase diverse range of artistic events

by Nickie Wang

The year 2010 was a great year for the Cultural Center of the Philippines amid curtailed budget. Its resident companies were still consistent in the quality of their performances. For this year, at the annual press appreciation lunch held on Jan. 19, key people behind the institution were delighted to announce additional activities that center in promoting and preserving Filipino arts and culture.

A grand musical at the CCP

By Nickie Wang

The UST Conservatory of Music and UST Symphony Orchestra will turn the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater into a splendid stage with a grand musical event slated today and tomorrow at 8 p.m.

With the direction by Floy Quintos, lighting by Ruel Beronio, and set design by Ricardo Cruz, the impressive roster of UST faculty, alumni, and students come together to present Love Unspoken, a pre-Valentine and a post-New Year concert, which features an operatic setting of excerpts from various operas, operettas, and Broadway musicals.

CCP ends 9-month anniversary celebration

By Nickie Wang / MST

The Cultural Center of the Philippines marks its 40th anniversary on Sept. 8, and it has unveiled programs and events designed to illuminate its major contribution as an important institution that helps discover, nurture and support Filipino artists while it promotes cultural empowerment in the country.

The celebration started in February and the different venues at the CCP have witnessed an array of different performances, festivals, musicals, concerts and exhibits that celebrate the excellence and accomplishments of Filipino artists in different fields.

In a recent press conference held at the CCP Main Theater Lobby, CCP vice president and artistic director Dr. Raul Sunico introduced another set of events that took place in the month of August. He also announced the preparation the Center has been doing to conclude the nine-month anniversary celebration, which ends this September.

“We had staged highly-successful events like the 5th Cinemalaya, the Pasinaya Festival, among others. In September we’re going to have events that are grander. Just like what I’ve mentioned, we’ll be featuring different artists to conclude the anniversary celebration,” Sunico told Standard Today shortly after the press conference.

Among the highlights in August was the exhibition of winning photographs of scenes about the CCP called Moods of CCP. It is on view at the Pasilyo Vicente Manansala until Sept. 20. It features the winning photographs from the CCP On-the-Spot Photo contest undertaken by the Nayon Photographers Club since last year.

From a photo exhibit, the CCP held the first choral competition from Aug. 18 to 22. It was a weeklong event at the Main Theater where choirs from different nations competed for international awards in the children’s choir, mixed choir, sacred music and folk music categories.

Other more important anniversary activities will take place this month, which is the founding month of the CCP. The month-long cultural festivity is centered on the theme of remembrance (of the past 40 years), celebration and eager anticipation of the future.

Last Sept. 1, a time capsule containing tokens from the arts of the country as well as from the international communities was planted within the foundations of the CCP building.

The CCP resident companies, together with a stellar billing of performing arts talents, will present a dazzling musical extravaganza in the CCP 40th Anniversary Gala event on Sept. 8. Taking the lead on this occasion will be conductor Laureate Oscar Yatco and Maestro Ryan Cayabyab.

On Sept. 11, a special production dubbed as Seven Arts, One Imelda pays tribute to former First Lady Imelda Marcos, as founding chair of the CCP. The gala will be directed by theater thespian Alex Cortez, concept/script by Floy Quintos and music direction by Josefino Chino Toledo and Ryan Cayabyab.

Internationally-acclaimed artists Filipina pianist Cecile Licad and German cellist Alban Gerhardt will perform in two special concerts at the Main Theater on Sept. 15 and 16, at 8 p.m.

On Sept. 18, all CCP incumbent and former officers and employees will gather in a night of Tipanan at Gabi ng Parangal ng CCP Gawad SINAG at the CCP Main Theater. The event is a thank you-cum-recognition party (Pasasalamat, Pagkilala, Pag-alala at Pagsasaya) for CCP employees who have been or still are part of the Center for the past 40 years.

Likewise, a multi-media and multi-sensory exhibit entitled Daloy: 40 years, which chronicles the development of the CCP as a cultural institution, opens at the CCP Bulwagang Juan Luna (Main Gallery) on Sept. 18, and will be on view up to Nov. 8. The exhibit will be curated by CCP Thirteen Artists Awardees Don Salubayba and Claro Ramirez Jr.

On Sept. 24, a commemorative magazine entitled Genesis will be launched at the CCP Main Theater Lobby. Penned by some of the country’s distinguished writers, the magazine provides the readers with information on the CCP’s past and present program, honors significant personalities, and introduces activities marking the CCP’s 40th anniversary. Photos are provided by the Camera Club of the Philippines and the Nayon Photographers Club.

Finally, on Sept. 30 at the Main Theater Lobby, the CCP Outreach and Exchange Division celebrates its 30th anniversary with a commemorative CD entitled Lakbay Himig, a compilation of the best musical creations and performances by 30 of the country’s most prominent musical artists.

For tickets and information, call the CCP Marketing Department at 832-1125 loc. 1800-1808 or visit the CCP Web site http://www.culturalcenter.gov.ph.