Sulong Pasinaya Sulong!

 

  Following the theme “Sulong,” the country’s largest multi-arts festival returns on a grander scale with more artistic and cultural offerings in its 20th year. Established in 2005, Pasinaya was conceived as a jump start to the National Arts Month celebration; hence it is scheduled every first week of February. Originally, it was created as a preview for the CCP’s artistic programming for the year. But the festival has grown bigger over the years and has become a venue for art appreciation and education, networking, and collaborations.  It has now grown into a multi-faceted program covering, free workshops, a massive offering of shows, exhibits, and an art market networking activities to promote artists of different kinds. What makes it different this year is its expansion to the Visayas and Mindanao region. Unified in its goals the multi-arts festival will commence simultaneously with opportunities to cross-connect via live streaming of shows from Manila to  Iloilo and Davao and vice versa. This ambitious attempt happening on February 3 and 4 will be a historical first for the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Dancing their way to the stages are resident ballet companies Philippine Ballet Theatre and Ballet Philippines who will go all Filipino in theme.  Philippine Ballet Theater will offer its charming suite of dances with music from Jose Mari Chan. Ballet Philippines will present its contemporary art piece Diyosa. Alice Reyes Dance Company will follow suit and perform excerpts from Rama Hari. Reflective of the seemingly robust commitment to present works that cultivate national pride and more importantly interest in our roots.  It feels good to know that these companies made a choice to feature something inspired by their own heritage and history. Catch them at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (TIG) Blackbox Theatre. Stay connected to the official CCP Facebook page to see more details about schedules and venues.

Photo by Athena Fontamillas

With these companies are more than a hundred different groups showcasing their own art.  In 2023, audience counts reached 37,888 – 12,055 participated in 43 Palihan workshops, 24,482 watched 101 Palabas shows (58 at the CCP Complex, and 43 in partner museums/galleries), and 1,236 enjoyed the Paseo Museo tours in 13 museums and galleries. Total donations amounted to Php 253,514. With the expanded reach, CCP aims to destroy this already impressive record. “Breaking free from the common notion that CCP is just the building in 2023, we have continuously proved that we can be anywhere. This year, we are reaching farther and wider into different performing spaces, and into the regions. Year 2024 will be the year we, at the CCP, continue to move forward, despite the challenges that will come our way,” said CCP president Michelle Nikki Junia. I have no doubt that Pasinaya will help bridge the gap between audiences and artists in a fabulous way. No reason to stay home . See you all at the CCP complex.