Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) has a lot to offer in 2018.
Cris Millado with some of the performers this year
At a press conference, CCP Vice President and Artistic Director Chris Millado said these include film screenings, musical, theater and dance concerts, art exhibits, etc.
There will also be some conferences, trade fairs and networking program; competitions; recognition of excellence; attractions; on air or radio variety; facade lighting for seasonal events; and onsite arts infrastructure development.
CCP is excited to present the 14th season of "Pasinaya," "Cinemalaya" and "Virgin Labfest."
A PPO Concert will also be held, as well as the staging of classic "Don Quixote" by Ballet Philippines.
For theater enthusiasts, there's the musical "Triple Threats" featuring sterling performances by Isay Alvarez and Robert Sena.
All details about their offering are on the venue's official website.
What's new?
Chris divulged the movies in their festival will be shown nationwide and not just in Metro Manila.
There's also CCP's new venue for the arts called "block box theater" for experimental and adventurous works. The building has no fixed seating, and with facility to easily lift props and equipment to another floor.
Another good news is the approval of government in allowing the construction of two facilities – artist center composed of around 40 rehearsal halls; and a new performing arts center.
Chris Millado
"Hopefully by 2020 eh tatlo na ang art centers sa CCP complex," he said.
Purpose
According to Chris, all the events they planned are in line with the mandate of CCP.
"Gusto nating abutin in the long term to make arts available to every Filipino," he said. "As much as possible throughout the year kaya ganu'n kadami because we tried to schedule programs, different activities that will reach out to different sector not only in Manila but all over the Philippines."
He noted they're showing not just any art but "quote unquote 'galing' ng Pilipino especially sa sining."
And this "excellent" works are all original, he added.
CCP's guiding vision includes nurturing a new generation of artists. Chris said the millennials are their target audience.
"What is very encouraging about millennials is that very exposed sila dahil nga naka connect sa internet, hindi sarado 'yung utak," he noted. "May exposure na on their own to different art forms, to different trends all over the world so hindi mahirap mag-introduce ng mga quote unquote 'bago.'"
"Maganda din sa millennials may attitude na kailangan kasali, hindi pwedeng hindi kasali. And that's what we need. Art needs participation, a lot of interaction and engagement."
Chris summed: "We look for ways to make the arts accessible and to break down the whole myth that this is just for a special group of people who has a special taste.
"These are very good ways of introducing to new audience varied kinds of artwork and art experiences. It's a very nice development dahil ibig sabihin na wi-widen na o buma-bata na ang interest ng sining at kultura. Siguro pinapakita dito sa increase ng numbers na maraming gustong hindi manuod lang kung hindi mag-participate mismo sa paglikha ng sining."