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Tag: Cultural Center of the Philippines

  • Korea’s Friendship with the Philippines Showcased Through Art at CCP’s Media Art Show

    The Cultural Center of the Philippines joins the Korean Embassy in the Philippines, the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) as they present a media art show billed as Donghaeng: Gunita at Pag-asa from October 6 to October 21, 2022, 6PM to 9PM at the CCP Front Lawn.

    Specially curated with the origin, exchange, development, and prosperity of Philippine-Korean friendship with the graceful gestures and music of Korean and Filipino artists, the media art show is part of the celebration of the 73-year friendship of the Philippines and Korea.

    The 8-minute-long spectacle will be projected at the CCP Main Building façade and will be shown to the public for free.  Guests can also have the chance to win different prizes when visiting by joining contests in KCC’s official social media accounts.

    The continuous people-to-people exchange between the Philippines and Korea has rendered immense expectation and need for the experience of Korean culture, and KCC prepared this media art show so that Filipinos can experience Korea even here in the Philippines.

    “I hope that the constant appearance of national symbols of two countries and their harmonious movements in the video would serve as an opportunity to better understand each other,” said KCC director IM Young A.

    Media art shows are public displays of art projected on the exterior of buildings using them as large screens.  Due to the pandemic, a lot of Filipinos are unable to go outside and enjoy art to unwind.  This media art show is specifically made to be enjoyed by everyone, for free, without worry as the venue is outside.  Anyone can marvel at the intricate design, art, lights and sounds from the CCP grounds with the company of their friends or family.

    The media art show is divided into three parts: the cultural origins and growth, the communication of both the beautiful rich cultures and lastly, the celebration and harmony of friendship between the Philippines and Korea.

    The media art show is a collaboration of Korean cutting-edge technology and Filipino arts.  To exhibit the authentic Filipino and Korean culture, the movements of both Filipino and Korean dancers were recorded through motion capture and AI technology.  They perform traditional dances such as Pandanggo and Buchaechum (Korean fan dance) with an ethnic score.  At the end of the show, there is a festive collaboration of the traditional dances of each country.

    These fluid movements are also integrated in the features of different symbols of each country.

    The graceful and fluid movements were created by celebrated choreographer SHIN Chang-Ho, while the music is a collaborative effort between Korean music director PARK Woong-Seo and Filipino music director Josenic France Juanite. The overall art was created by the genius of director CHO Chung-Yean.

    From watching it from their phone screens, Filipinos can now see live media art shows that are popular in Korea in one of the celebrated architectures in Manila.

    Donghaeng: Gunita at Pag-asa is an event under the theme“Kita Kita Korea” where Filipinos can experience Korean culture in the Philippines without traveling to Korea.  Other KCC events include the Philippine-Korean Hats Exhibition with The M on October 21, 2022.

    Experience the exquisite and artistic representations of Philippine and Korean friendship and hopeful future embroidered in the Manila sky like the Christmas lights.

  • Trombonist Ricson Poonin to Play at CCP’s Special Concert Series

    Trombonist Ricson Poonin will be the second featured artist of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Special Concert Series on October 20, 2022, 7:30pm at the CCP Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (Black Box Theater).

    For his solo concert, he will be rendering “The Casterede Sonatine” which he described as challenging to play because of its 20th century syncopated rhythms; “Milagros”, a showpiece Filipino music presented with piano accompaniment; and the Pandemic Concert Piece for Trombone and Piano.

    Composed by Poonin’s long-term mentor Maestro Herminigildo Ranera, The Pandemic Concert piece is a new trombone composition which Poonin himself requested from Ranera to create especially for this recital.

    According to Poonin, the piece is highlighted by various composition techniques and represents the Filipinos’ experiences during the crisis

    During the pandemic years, together with his colleagues, Poonin gathered different Filipino trombonists who lived in the Philippines and overseas and had practice sessions, lectures, open fora, and virtual videos featuring multiple trombonists playing together in the first-ever Philippine Trombone Festival held virtually.

    Poonin is renowned for his distinctive musicality, sound technique, and adaptability as a soloist in an ensemble or with an orchestra.

    He graduated from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in 2012 with a degree in Bachelor of Music Major in Trombone Performance under the tutelage of the Maestro, Dr. Herminigildo Ranera. 

    “Sir Hermie has been a big influence in my career,” Poonin said. “As my mentor, I would like to pay tribute to him by featuring his work here”, the artist recounted.

    Maestro Ranera described Poonin as “very musical, meticulous and highly skilled.”

    Ranera, who is associate conductor of the PPO, and Poonin continue to work together in the orchestra.

    Due to Poonin’s outstanding performances and active student life, he was granted a full scholarship at the famous John Hopkins University’s Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, with the support of Irene Marcos Araneta, Zenaida Tantoco, Monique Villonco, Tricia Amper-Jimenez, and Chuchu Madrigal Eduque and the FAPI.  He won both the Peabody Excerpts Competition and the James Winship Lewis Memorial Prize Performance Award. He also played with a great number of other Peabody Ensembles including the Fourtissimo Trombone Quartet, Marquee Brass Quintet, the Peabody Jazz Ensemble, and the Trombody Peabones Trombone Choir.

    Consequently, he became a part of the International Trombone Association’s Guinness record for having the most number of trombone players performing at a single event in Lincoln Center in New York.

    Currently, Poonin is a trombone teacher at St. Scholastica’s College and at the University of Santo Tomas–to which he proudly says that his students have improved and progressed and are winning in competitions too.

    Savor music through the instrument known to be “the Voice of God” (trombone) as it creates a full and beautiful reverberation through the versatility of interpretation by Ricson Poonin, an amusing and light-hearted musician in this otherwise serious concert setting.

    Likewise, applications are being accepted for the Ricson Poonin Trombone Masterclass which will be held on October 19, 2022, 2:00pm – 6:00pm at the CCP Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez.

    Please check the health and safety protocols at https://bit.ly/staysafeatCCP

    For more information about the event, please follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

    For inquiries on the Ricson Poonin Trombone Masterclass, email artist.training@culturalcenter.gov.ph or call at 8832-1125 local 1605.

  • CCP Arthouse Cinema presents an Ishmael Bernal Special Film Screening

    In celebration of our National Artist for Cinema Ishmael Bernal’s birth month, the CCP Arthouse Cinema presents one of his masterpieces, a film that serves as a social commentary and a bold reflection on the existing realities of the struggles of the Filipino. Ishmael Bernal’s “Pagdating Sa Dulo” is a storytelling of the life of a bourgeois filmmaker who sought out a stripper to act in his film, subsequently catalyzing her career as an actress. It is a journey on how stardom, glamor, and wealth can contribute to the corruption of one’s soul becoming morally conflicted and wounded by the on screen façade of their love and selves.

    PagdatingSaDulo IshmaelBernal

    Watch one of Philippine Cinema’s classic gems, “PAGDATING SA DULO” by Ishmael Bernal at the CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde on September 30, 2022 at 2 PM Manila Time. 

    The film screening is FREE to the public.

    Due to the ongoing pandemic, the new normal protocol of the CCP will still be implemented.  Everyone is advised to wear a facemask upon entering the premises and bring a vaccination card/certificate (e-copies are allowed).  Find out more about CCP’s new normal protocol here: https://bit.ly/CCPNewNormalProtocol2022

    For more information, visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) and follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates.

  • CCP Arthouse Cinema’s ‘ON VERS(E/U)S AND DRONES’ to Screen ‘Ang Hupa’ and ‘Respeto’

    The Cultural Center of the Philippines Arthouse Cinema proudly presents a two-day special screening event with the theme “ON VERS(E/U)S AND DRONES” this September 2022.  Featuring two excellent masterpieces that capture and preview our current timeline, the films exhibit how poetic verses and the panoptic humming of drones remind us to defend our humanity in the face of violence and indifference.

    CCP Arthouse Cinema 1

    Lav Diaz’ “Ang Hupa” shows a fictional 2034 AD where Southeast Asia has been in the dark for the last three years, literally, because the sun hasn’t shone as a result of massive volcanic eruptions at the Celebes Sea in 2031 and madmen control countries, communities, enclaves and bubble cities. It exposes cataclysmic epidemics razing over the continent where millions have died and millions have left. The film will be screened at the CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde on September 21, 2022 at 2 PM with a running time of 4 hours and 39 minutes.

    On the following day, Cinemalaya 2017 Best Film “RESPETO” by Treb Monteras II will be screened at 2 PM which then, exhibits the underground Pinoy hip-hop culture and on how we, as artists and individuals, find the words to find ourselves.

    CCP Arthouse Cinema 2

    Both films will have a talkback session after the screening and are FREE to the public. A reminder to everyone as well that due to the still existing pandemic, the new normal protocol of the CCP will still be implemented. You can find out more about CCP’s new normal protocol here: https://bit.ly/CCPNewNormalProtocol2022

    For more information, visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) and follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates.

  • Cholo Paz Returns to the Stage with the Kadipan-PNU & CCP

    The Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Intertextual Division and Kapisanang Diwa at Panitik-PNU will produce an online show titled “Ang Walang Kupas na Panulat at Musika ni Cholo Paz: Tugtugan at Kwentuhan” on the musician Cholo Paz via Zoom on September 24, 10 AM.  It will also be broadcast on the following Facebook accounts: facebook.com/CCPIntertextualDivision/ and facebook.com/KadipanPnu.

    Writer and musician Cholo Paz was born on December 17, 1952 in Santiago, Isabela, and graduated from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1974 wherein he took a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. When he started to pursue his talent in music, he also started the journey of creating different classical songs.

    Paz’s “Kupas na Maong”, “Bulag na Carriedo” and “Bangkang Papel” rose to fame. He also recorded songs in Las Vegas, Nevada titled “Bomba Atomika” that talks about the world war and its cruelty, “Anting-Anting” which highlights the belief of the Filipinos in the power of amulets, “Handa Na Ba Kayo” that discusses the destruction of the environment as we continue to attain advanced technology and finally, “Himig ng Gabi” that is about the life and love of a farmer. Freddie Aguilar, Florante de Leon, Heber Bartolome and the group Asin were among his colleagues at the time.

    Despite living in a foreign country for a length of time and being away from his home country, his passion for music is still burning when it comes to creating and sharing his talent in the field. Paz will be showcasing his talent once again as he comes back to the Philippines for his supporters and the new generation to watch on the date mentioned above.

    The CCP Intertextual Division supports the artists in their works as a contribution to the field of art.  For more information, you can reach us via email (ccpintertextualdivision@gmail.com), text (09193175708) or leave a message on the CCP Intertextual Division Facebook Page.

  • CCP Partners with ARTHALAND for CCP 21AM Collection Exhibit in October

    Given the closure of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Main Theater Building for rehabilitation beginning next year, off-site exhibitions are now lined up to be able to continue showcasing the CCP 21AM collection to the public.

    As a kick-off to the exhibition roadshow, and in celebration of Museum and Galleries Month, the CCP Visual Arts and Museum Division partners with ARTHALAND for an exhibition this coming October at the ground floor lobby of Arthaland Century Pacific Tower (ACPT) at 5th Avenue corner 30th St., Bonifacio Global City.

    The CCP had chosen ACPT as the venue to host its inaugural off-site exhibition titled Details & Abstractions: Selections from the Cultural Center of the Philippines 21AM Collection.  Arthaland Century Pacific Tower is the first building in the world to be certified by the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, as zero carbon under its EDGE program, the acronym standing for Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiency. In addition to its world-class design and its superior quality construction, ACPT’s sustainable features serve to enhance its occupants’ mental and physical health similar to how art brings about immeasurable benefits to an individual’s as well as the entire communities’ well-being.

    Present in the MOA signing held on September 14 at the Arthaland Century Pacific Tower were (from left to right): Oliver L. Chan (Arthaland Corporation, Senior Vice President), Christopher G. Narciso (Arthaland Corporation, Executive Vice President), Jaime C. González (Arthaland Vice Chairman and President), Maria Margarita Moran-Floirendo (CCP President), Dr. Jaime C. Laya (CCP Chairman), Michelle Nikki M. Junia (CCP Vice Chairperson and Head of Board of Trustees’ Committee on Artistic Matters) and Junie del Mundo (CCP Trustee).

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    Homestream image shot by Orly Daquipil of CCP.

  • CCP’s ‘Sinag 2022’ Light & Sound Spectacle Starts This September

    To celebrate the 53rd anniversary of the Cultural Center of the Philippines this month of September, the SINAG 2022: Light and Sound Spectacle will light up the CCP façade from September 22-25, 2022.

    Multi-awarded lighting designer John Batalla conceptualized the outdoor light show with sound design by Jethro Joaquin.

    CCP Sinag2022 1

    “We will interpret the three transcendentals of Truth, Goodness and Beauty paired with a soundscape of indigenous Filipino instruments, snippets of folk music and quintessential Filipino sound bites or quotable quotes from the past,” Batalla said.

    Batalla partnered with Joaquin to curate the soundscape or soundtrack for the show.

    SINAG 2022 is produced by the CCP Production Design and Technical Services Division.  The event will create a vibrant and effervescent atmosphere on the façade and its environs, the CCP PDTSD said.

    The show, which runs for 10 minutes, will open at 7pm on September 22 and run from September 23 to 25 at 7:00pm, 7:30pm, 8:00pm, 8:30pm, 9:00pm and 9:30pm.

    SINAG is an annual anniversary light and sound spectacle of the CCP enjoyed by pedestrians, motorists, promenaders and regular visitors to the Complex.

    For more information, visit the CCP (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) website. Follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for latest updates.

  • CCP Dance Series (Live!) 2022 Presents Pulso Pilipinas I

    THE Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is pleased to present Pulso Pilipinas I as part of the CCP Dance Series (LIVE!) 2022, happening from September to December 2022, featuring productions created by National Artists for Dance, Alice Reyes and Agnes Locsin, renowned French choreographer, Redha Benteifour, and promising performances and choreography works by young Filipino dancers.  It will take place at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo on September 23 at 8:00 pm and on September 24 at 3:00 pm.

    Pulso Pilipinas 1

    Pulso Pilipinas I aims to celebrate unity in dance by featuring a diverse dance culture and showcasing works from various dance styles and regions. Through the CCP Arts Education Department, Pulso Pilipinas selected Regional Dance Training Program Scholars who have been mentored by professional dancers of the CCP Professional Artist Support Program (PASP) during the course of the pandemic.

    This production event brings the regional dance groups such as Guang Ming College Hiraya, UE Silanganan Dance Troupe, Teatro de Baile de Cavite, Sorsogon National High School, regional dance students and professional dance artists to share the CCP Main Theater stage in groundbreaking new and classic works that include “Company” by National Artist for Dance, Alice Reyes; “Moriones” by National Artist for Dance, Agnes Locsin; “We Men” by Lester Reguindin; “Asong Ulol” by Denisa Reyes; and “Mamang Kutsero” from Edna Vida’s “Ensalada.”

    Please contact the CCP Box Office at 8832-3704, the CCP Production Management Services Division at 8832-2314, the CCP Arts Education Department at 8832-1125 loc. 1605, or visit www.culturalcenter.gov.ph for more information and ticket inquiries.

  • Tenors Markki Stroem, Arman Ferrer, and Poppert Bernadas in 2022 Triple Threats

    Musical theater artists Markki Stroem, Arman Ferrer, and Poppert Bernadas are headliners in this year’s TRIPLE THREATS: THREE TENORS from October to December 2022 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater) at 7:30 p.m.  After the successful event last 2013 to 2018, this series is now back on track.

    TRIPLE THREATS is a series of solo concerts featuring the stalwarts of Philippine Musical Theater.  Each concert is an intimate evening of beautiful music, personally selected by the artists themselves, from their vast repertoire of favorite songs from Broadway, West End, original Filipino musicals, and the movies.  Dubbed as a series of “concept concerts”, the narrative of the performance is dictated by the song choices.  It is a rare opportunity for the audience to see a different facet of the acclaimed theatre artist being featured.  The definition of a “triple threat” is someone in a particular field who exhibits the three skills that are necessary to excel – can act, can sing, and can dance.

    Leading this series on October 14, 2022 is Markki Stroem, known as today’s Contemporary Crooner.  He was a finalist on ABS-CBN’s Pilipinas Got Talent Season 1 and had nine (9) theater credits including Henry in Next To Normal (Atlantis, 2011), Shane Gray in Camp Rock (Repertory, 2012), Tommy Ross in Carrie: The Musical (Atlantis, 2013), Leading Man in Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady (Dalanghita Production, 2015), Tommy de Vito in Jersey Boys (Atlantis, 2016), Gabby in Awitin Mo at Isasayaw ko (Ballet Philippines, 2016), Claude Hooper Bukowski in Hair (Repertory, 2017), Terry Connor in Side Show (Atlantis, 2018) and Joe Pitt in Angels in America (Atlantis, 2019).

    Aside from theater, he also dived into the Television industry as he became a part of the variety show, ASAP’s Boys R Boys (BRB) and won as Most Promising Male Group in the Guillermo Mendoza Box Office Awards.  Stroem was then nominated as Best Actor (Cinema 1 Originals Awards), Best Breakthrough Performance by an Actor (Golden Screen Awards), Best Breakthrough Actor (Gawad Tangi), and New Movie Actor of the Year (PMPC Star Awards for Movies) for Cinema One Originals 2012 Slumber Party.  He also produced and directed music videos for artists – Rachelle Ann Go, Christian Bautista, and Noel Cabangon.  His first album, “Thousands of Pieces” tapped the Astroplus top-selling album charts in 2012.

    Make sure to look out for the second act performer on November 18, Arman Ferrer. He is considered one of the brightest musical theater actors today.  He was only 21 years old, an operatic tenor, and had no acting experience for his first audition in the zarzuela, “Walang Sugat” at Ateneo, bagging the lead role of Tenyong in 2010.  He then had to do an acting workshop.

    He then reprised the role of Tenyong in Tanghalang Pilipino’s staging of “Walang Sugat” directed by Carlitos Siguion Reyna at the CCP.  After that, he appeared in “The Best of Opera” at Resorts World Manila, “A Christmas Carol” for 9Works, “Mabining Mandirigma” at CCP, and two original musicals for Director Joel Lamangan, “Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag” and “Binondo: A Tsinoy Musical”, where he received great reviews.  In 2021, he bagged the title role in “Lapu Lapu” the musical, directed by Dexter Santos and the first production staged at the newly renovated Metropolitan Theater (MET).

    Closing the series on December 21 will be Poppert Bernadas, a complete and world-class performer through his unwavering passion to his craft as a singer and actor.  He is a singer with stories flowing from his lips in each and every performance.  From 2007 until now, he has been an original member of the multi-awarded vocal group the “Ryan Cayabyab Singers” or RCS when he was handpicked by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab to be a part of the prestigious singing group who continues to tour successfully and perform in local music scenes.

    In 2014, Poppert was cast as “Kenny” in the iconic, longest-running, all-original Filipino musical: “Rak of Aegis” of PETA.  He has been a part of other productions such as “Magsimula Ka!”, “LORENZO the Musical”, “Ang Huling Lagda ni Apolinario Mabini”, “GodSpell”, “Spoliarium”, “Marawi The Musicale” and on Season 7 for “Rak of Aegis”, Poppert reprises his original role in the 2019 production.  He ventured into his acting prowess by playing the role of “Kanor” in the Primetime Teleserye of ABS-CBN, “Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin” and the role of “Rio” in the Season 2 of the said teleserye.  Last year, he became a part of management called “Ateam” headed by OPM Icon Ogie Alcasid and co-managed by Star Magic headed by Lauren Dyogi.  Last year, he released his two original songs dedicated to his late mother “Payakap Inay” which was featured in “Maalaala Mo Kaya” for their Mother’s Day Special and the other one is “Mama Ko” his first collaboration with Maestro Ryan Cayabyab.

    TRIPLE THREATS is presented by the Cultural of the Philippines.  The three concerts will begin at 7:30 pm at Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater).  Check out the CCP’s official website https://culturalcenter.gov.ph and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/culturalcenterofthephilippines for more information about the series.

  • CCP Unboxes the New Black Box Theater

    As it marks its 53rd year this September and emerges from the two-year pandemic, the Cultural Center of the Philippines opened the doors of the new Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box) on September 8 with an inaugural show featuring excerpts of the first performance season.

    Blackbox Theater 1

    Slated at the new venue are the CCP Special Concert Series, Tanghalang Pilipino’s Anak Datu, CCP Triple Threats Series, Ang Dakilang Teatro ng Daigdig, Carousel and Ternocon.

    Coming 30 years after the last building was erected in the complex, the new state-of-the-art and world-class performing arts space represents CCP’s leap into the future, keeping it relevant with the times.

    At the inauguration, the new building was blessed in Christian and Muslim rites; its logo unveiled as well.

    The logo, according to B + C, the company that designed it, extracted its shape and colors from Philippine indigenous weaves.  “It represents the bold new works that will take place at the venue—progressive, experimental, fluid, contemporary.  In effect, ‘out of the box’.”

    The new building takes its name from the businessman whose generosity made it possible and from the theater term that refers to a performance space, bound by four walls, but offering both flexibility and versatility, with seats, and painted black.

    CCP Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez CCP Black Box Theater

    Businessman Ignacio Gimenez, once a scholar of National Artist for Theater Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero, donated the building to CCP to honor his mentor as his way of giving back to the Filipino people, and to encourage local business community leaders to engage more in Philippine theater.  Together with his brother Roberto Olanday, the funding for the construction of the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez was made possible.

    The building took three years to finish with the support and administrative assistance of the Leandro V. Locsin Partners.  The groundbreaking ceremony was held in January 2016 and construction of the building commenced in 2017.

    In 2019, delegates to the Association of Asia Pacific Performing Arts Centres’ Manila Conference hosted by the CCP went on a Hard Hat tour to get a glimpse of this modern theater then still in the making.

    Located on the corner of Jalandoni and Sotto Streets, the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box) is a three-level structure with a flexible theater expanse that can be adjusted to artistic and technical needs of live productions of concerts, recitals, plays, and other live events, such as arts conventions, workshops, and exhibitions.

    Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box) boasts of at least four flexible stage and seating configurations, a removable trap door, a portable dance floor, and a high-end sound and light technology system.  Its catwalk offers provisions to accommodate lighting, sound, video equipment, and additional drapery.  It also has various orchestra and choral risers, as well as aluminum trusses, which can be used for rigging stage sets and designs.  The loading dock can accommodate a 20-foot container truck.  A carpentry area with a high ceiling can accommodate tall scenic pieces.  An acoustically treated door separates the Carpentry Area from the Performance space.

    The new building is compliant with the Magna Carta for the Disabled.  It is equipped with high-speed data/internet or ethernet connection that can be used to enhance audience experiences.

    The inauguration of the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez is a welcome development to the Center as the CCP Main Building will be closed for rehabilitation from 2023-2024.

    For more information, visit the CCP (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) and follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates.