artaturningpointe: CCP 2018 Season, Breaking the Boundaries

The conclusion of the very colorful ASEAN once again put the Philippines in the global map as a center of robust art. All of a sudden social media is filled with #pinoypride posts about how much talent exists in our country. But you see, we've been glorious all along. We just occasionally need a bit more spotlight directed towards the red white and blue. So let's talk about how great 2018 will be.

Living room of art

Last January 26, 2018 the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) set up a homey press conference. Vice President and Artistic Director Chris Millado was quick to say think of the CCP as the living room of arts. It is self explanatory, the CCP is a home that opens the doors to anyone and everyone. It is a venue for conversation prompted by the art that fills the space. It is a place to entertain and be entertained. Lastly it is a place that collects memories and snapshots of life much like the picture frames we can see in homes. Quite appropriate was the similarity of both places. I was inspired however by news that for 2018 it will go beyond the basic parallelism. It seems our living room of art came alive when it was completed by the nurturing heart of a parent. Incorporated in the 2018 CCP Season are worthy projects that heal the soul.

CCP President Nick Lizaso
Photo courtesy of CCP

CCP President Nick Lizaso addressed the press highlighting some of CCP's prioritized projects. The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO), one of the resident companies of the CCP, has worked several times with UP-Philippine General Hospital and Philippine Cancer Society with performances dubbed as Songs for Healing. Lizaso lauded the collaborative efforts of these organizations and announced that it is a project that he intends to strengthen. Continuity is a certainty. Just recently the PPO finished their first performance of the year at the PGH grounds filling the hospital with symphonic melodies meant to create a healing and soothing energy for the patients and the employees present. It truly was a wonderful way to start the year. Nothing beats the rush of art in an unexpected place.

Sining Para sa Kalinaw is an art for peace project organized by the CCP Cultural Exchange Department for the victims and evacuees of the Marawi war. Activities like art therapy and culture education are done hitting two birds with one stone. The victims are provided an escape from their otherwise dreadful present and they come closer to knowing about their cultural heritage. In 2017 when the project started, there were fifteen CCP satellite councils at work to bring joy through art in depressed areas. There are now twenty six CCP satellite councils that are able to support the project (and others). In 2018, Lizaso reported that they are expecting another ten satellite councils to be fully activated. Warms that heart to see nurturing efforts that go beyond the boundaries of the CCP.

Another event that is worthy of attention is Marawing Salamat that will be held at the CCP Main Theatre on April 6, 2018. It promises to feature the very best of Philippine Opera and Fashion. The net proceeds are intended to support the rebuilding of Marawi City, the artistic and cultural mecca of Muslim Mindanao.

Breaking Boundaries

Millado updated everyone about the progression of their expansion project. Everyone is quite thrilled to find out that the ground breaking of the artist center will be happening in the near future. A space with forty rehearsal studios and a few galleries will surely elevate the Filipinos into a higher level. I'm just hoping that this time around ALL the resident companies get their own space to call their NEW HOME.

Dance Season

2017 was a bit disappointing because efforts that have been gaining support and interest were discontinued. It seems 2018 will follow suit. Dance Manila was created in 2016 and was launched as the first and widest collaboration of Ballet Manila, Ballet Philippines and Philippine Ballet Theatre as well as other relevant dance groups. It was a festive showcase of Filipino talent. It was a wonderful collage of our range. Unfortunately it was not continued in 2017. I initially thought maybe it's a biennial activity but was disappointed it was still not included in the CCP 2018 dance calendar. It seems there is little to no chance of fulfillment considering the full calendar at the CCP.

International Dance Day which has been a tradition for years was also discontinued in 2017. While there still might be hope that the CCP would resume sponsorship of the celebrations, probability seems low. On the bright side NCCA just might team up again with generous Ballet Manila?! Storming heavens for that.

What is happening though is a comeback of Pulso which was last seen in 2012. This show is a celebration of Filipino dance. It exemplifies the diversity that exists here in the Philippines and presents the differentiation of dance genres. Pulso is tentatively scheduled in the CCP calendar on June 26-30, 2018.

Unifying dance activities for me is quite essential to growth because it's a time that competition with each other is set aside in favor of enjoying the inspiration that different flavored artists provide. It is my hope that there are more events to look forward to.

Ballet is Life

Balletomanes can look forward to mix of classical, neoclassical and all out contemporary shows this 2018. Ballet Philippines will begin the year with their season ender Don Quixote scheduled to run from February 9-18, 2018. This will be followed by the Young Choreographer's Showcase on June 8, 2018. National Artist for dance and Artistic director Alice Reyes will herself mentor 6 aspiring choreographers and have the company perform the their pieces in full. Neo-classical Carmina Burana will be performed on Sept 7-9, 2018. Mixed bill Carmen and Other Ballets will be shown on October 5-7, 2018. Lastly their Christmas Offering will be Snow White which runs from Nov 30- December 9, 2018.

Philippine Ballet Theatre will have a few re-runs for 2018. Merry Widow will make a comeback and so will Martin Buczko (formerly from Staatsballet Berlin). A revitalized restaging of Cinderella will run from September 28-30, 2018. Ronilo Jaynario will re-imagine the ballet to adapt to the technical facilities of the dancers. PBT will again stage their family favorite The Nutcracker from November 16-18, 2018.

Line up seems fairly entertaining but I keep hoping for NEW and original Filipino ballets.

Contemporary Flavors

Aside from Ballet Philippines' possibly contemporary line up for the Young Choreographer's showcase, Neo-Filipino will again provide a platform for established choreographers to show their hopefully new work on August 21- 27, 2018.

Healthy Competition

2018 is competition year with international and local ballet competitions happening outside the CCP premises. Adding to that is the CCP Ballet Competition happening on Nov 14-17, 2018.

From inspiring advocacy projects, thrilling infrastructure possibilities to innovative unique dance line ups, I think the CCP will be breaking boundaries this year. If the idea is to reach out to new audiences beyond the loyal and give opportunities to create new art, then I think it's gonna be a productive year. Looking forward to seeing and chronicling everything this 2018. Care to watch with me? Take a step into the living room of art and enjoy the experience. See you at the theatre.

A TASTE OF 2018