CCP Art will Find its Way to Your Heart

 CCP President Margie Moran-Floirendo at the Main Theater. (Photo by Kiko Cabuena)

In 2017, the management of the Cultural Center of the Philippines presented to the public their blueprint of what they envisioned CCP to be.  It was an expansion plan for the complex that would include new venues to present art. It included a new black box theater, additional rehearsal halls, new commercial areas, and exhibition spaces.  The main objective as explained by the then Artistic Director and Vice President Cris Millado was to open up the space to new audiences. the change was to make CCP once again a household name instead of a tourist spot for even the local residents.  In the recent press, According to President of the CCP Margie Moran Floirendo from 2018 to 2019  they conducted a building audit to check what needed to be done to ensure that the CCP was rehabilitated prior to expansion. While the CCP leadership seemed ready to take on the challenge of renovation and expansion, things did not exactly go their way. The first wave of challenges came when the budget approved during the  Pres Noynoy Aquino administration was way below what was proposed. Nonetheless, this amount was enough to at the very least repair everything that needed to be fixed and upgrade the Main Theater.  The money was finally released sometime during President Rodrigo Duterte's administration.  The second wave of problems hit when the covid pandemic caused a total national lockdown. The pandemic not only made it impossible to have full-scale construction, it also created a ripple effect on the price of construction and materials. Since the COVID safety regulations have been relaxed significantly,  CCP  has gone forward unfazed by the surreal experience of sustaining the CCP as a premiere cultural institution of the country.  All offices have now been relocated. The CCP has officially been closed to the public and is expected to resume operations in 2026.  Despite the daunting obstacles, the board of directors remains enthusiastic. Armed with an initial budget of Php 900 million  Floirendo says confidently " The CCP Main building may be closed but we promise that we will not falter in our mandate to promote artistic excellence, nurture artists and engage audiences through cultural experiences. We are committed to remaining the leading art institution in the country. And when all of this is done we will remain the premier art institution not only in our country but in Asia". 

CCP Chairman Jaime C. Laya speaks to guests prior to the tour of CCP. (Photo by Erica Jacinto)

                       Ms. Tess Rances, CCP Administrative Services Department manager leads the press tour of the CCP (Photo by Erica Jacinto)

Current State of the Little Theater

Current State of Silangan Hall

Current State of the exhibit area with the contents of the Library

Current Status of the Main Theatre Lobby

Looking Forward

It seems the battle cry of the entire CCP organization is " Expect the Unexpected and respond creatively".  Looking at everything as challenges instead of problems, they will attempt to make the CCP a green institution. The goal is for it to be environmentally friendly and environmentally resilient. Its facilities will aim to be gender-responsive, and considerate to persons with disabilities and senior citizens. While the people wait for this future-ready- complex, the CCP intends to maximize their itsstrong cultural network.  Artistic Director and Vice President Dennis Marasigan reported that the dictum is to broaden its itsreach through partnerships with different venues in Manila and the regional area. Among those mentioned were the Metropolitan Museum, the Samsung Theatre, and the Newport theater. Its exhibitions will inhabit partner museums all over the country. The recent Pasinaya shows that indeed this is possible. In the recent cultural event, CCP  partnered with 30 museums and held 72 performances in various venues. This of course includes the only available CCP Venue the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (Blackbox theater) and outdoor performances at the lawn area. 

CCP Vice President and Artistic Director Dennis Marasigan presents the artistic highlights for 2023

Cultural Revolution

During these trying times the resolution remains the same, making the CCP a household name. As former CCP Artistic Director Cris Millado once said " Art matters to every Filipino" or at least it should. Dennis Marasigan presented a fascinating range of activities breaking the norms of cultural exclusivity. One of the major projects of the CCP is Kanto Kultura which opens up opportunities to reach out to unknown Filipino artists and art forms. It is an attempt to close the gap between social classes with art as the equalizer. Out of the box and into people's minds.  At the same time, Marasigan reaffirms that the main programs of the CCP like the Cinemalaya, Virgin Labfest, Pasinaya, and  Performatura will remain on the agenda.  CCP will work closely with the resident companies Ballet Philippines, Philippine Ballet Theatre, the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group and the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company, Tanghalang Pilipino, Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philippine Madrigal Singers and the National Music Competitions for Young Artists Foundation (NAMCYA) so that they can present their seasons with dignity. The CCP  without its facilities now has an opportunity to rebrand. It is not just a building( or a complex) the CCP is a cultural movement. They will leave no stone unturned until everyone gets excited by art. CCP is homeless but hopefully not displaced in the hearts of the Filipino people. Margie Moran-Floirendo encourages everyone to continue supporting the CCP so that we can look forward to a greater CCP.

The energetic CCP Board of Directors