In 1969, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) was formally launched with the premiere of “The Golden Salakot: Isang Dularawan.” It was established by the government to preserve and develop the arts and culture of the Philippines.
Since then, the institution has been producing and presenting remarkable musical, dance, and theatrical performances, exhibits, seminars, workshops, and design events featuring artists from different parts of the country and all over the world.
Margie Moran Floirendo and Vice President-Artistic Director Chris Millado unveil the center’s two
commemorative markers as part of its golden anniversary celebration. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
CCP started its year-long 50th celebration last September by launching limited-edition commemorative stamps, the “BayBayan” font, performances, and exhibitions. But before 2019 ends, CCP revealed during its annual institutional press conference the complete list of shows, their future plans, and other festivities that are bound to happen in 2020.
Road to digitization
Just like any other decade-old organizations, CCP also experience challenges and problems along the way.
“This [CCP] building is 50 years old now. It’s way past its prime, it has many things that need to be attended to,” Vice President and Artistic Director Chris Millado said. “But this is the feeling of 50. CCP needs some kind of care and attention.”
Aside from the physical structure, Millado mentioned that their archives also need to be taken care of. Hence, CCP’s digitization efforts resulted in 82,911 digitized materials from their library, but there’s still a lot of work to do to reach a wider audience.
“One of the major ways that I can describe 2020 for CCP is we’re making the first steps towards CCP’s digital future. It’s the engagement of the performing arts and the digital,” he shared.
Moreover, CCP will be launching more technology-based projects including the digital version of the Encyclopedia of Philippine Art (EPA). Unlike the print edition, the digital one is now open for updates and will be available in three forms: website, mobile app, and digital installation.
The CCP EPA website and mobile app allow users with a subscription to view it online. It provides up-to-date information including additional visuals and videos about the different art forms.
The digital installation will be exhibited using eight 43-inch screens and will showcase a timeline that highlights the history of Philippine art.
As part of the anniversary project, CCP Digital Time Capsule and CCP in HD are also scheduled to be launched next year. The Digital Time Capsule is an interactive digital repository of “memories” by the institution’s employees, artists, and anyone who experienced or participated in any event inside the CCP. It highlights how CCP’s culture and history have changed over the course of 50 years.
The CCP in HD on the other hand, is an effort by the institution to produce high-quality coverages to allow people from the provinces to watch their shows.
Sterling lineup of performances
Apart from the usual events like Virgin Labfest, Pasinaya, and Cinemalaya, CCP continues its golden anniversary celebration with exciting shows for 2020.
The “University Theater Season” happening from January 28 to February 2 will be the opening festival of CCP next year. Select university-based theater groups will showcase productions of original works and adaptations of classics. The lineup features notable shows from Dulaang UP, Tanghalang Ateneo, DLSU College of St. Benilde, regional colleges and universities.
Decision makers, thought leaders and art advocates will also gather to discuss arts education and current issues via the forum entitled “Imagine Nation: Summit on Arts Education.”
Millado pointed out that this summit is important as it addresses concerns and encourages everyone to join the dialogue and talk about the happenings in the industry.
“Basically, this is a conversation that we would like to have between the educators, advocates, and the local government. This is a way to begin to engage the mayors, congressmen, senators, to have active participation in arts and culture,” he stated.
CCP also announced that the theme of ANI for this year is “Lakad, Layag, Lipad,” three Filipino words linked with traveling through the means of land, water and air. The launch of CCP’s literary folio is open to the public and will feature different literary performances from the ANI 41 contributors.
To cap off the 50th anniversary, CCP facade, front lawn and the Liwasang Kalikasan will shine bright through site-specific video mapping projections on September 30 of next year. This is a collaboration with Creative Director Ignatius Jones and Spinefx, the creatives behind the world-renowned “Vivid Sydney: Festival of Lights and Ideas.”
To know more about CCP’s upcoming events in 2020, visit culturalcenter.gov.ph.