CCP Pasinaya commemorates EDSA People Power
By Joe Priela
Demonstrating the power of arts in social transformation and empowerment
Two years into the pandemic, the CCP Pasinaya Open House Festival continues on the online platform on Feb. 26 and 27 with the theme “Sana All Lumilikha, Lumalaya.” Celebrating the 36th anniversary of EDSA People Power, Pasinaya 2022 embodies the spirit of EDSA and demonstrates the power of arts in social transformation and empowerment.
Pasinaya 2022 is a two-day virtual event that will showcase various activities in the performing arts, literary arts, visual arts, film, and broadcast arts. It will feature an exhibit, a forum, a digital timeline, and the lighting of the CCP façade. The Festival will also be highlighted with special video premieres.
The special video premieres are “Radyo Malaya: Soundbites of a Revolution by Pumapodcast,” a radio drama re-enactment of the events during the EDSA Revolution in 10 bite-sized episodes. “EDSA Book Videoke,” an animation of the counting book for children entitled “EDSA.”
“Pagsamo: Gabay at Pagbabago,” presented by Kaisa sa Sining - Luzon Network, is a prayer for guidance and change. Pagsamo aims to awaken the minds and hearts of the viewers about the importance of the Malolos Congress, the freedom fought for in 1898, and the lessons from the EDSA People Power.
“EDSA Playlist 1: Revolu-Tunes,” a medley playlist of three songs sung and used during the People Power Revolution to be sung by the Akapela Collective, which consists of Astrafellas, Calafellas, ConChords, KNKTD, Phisix, Sayil, and Vocalmyx. “EDSA Playlist 2: Magi-SING!,” a medley playlist of three songs sung and/or used during the People Power Uprising to be sung by Acapellago.
Together with these is a storytelling session by Kara David as the book talks about a girl and her mother during Martial Law with “Isang Harding Papel.” This will be followed by “Kwentuhang Sining Para sa Pagbabago,” a round table live discussion with leaders known and recognized as active agents of social change.
“Pangamuyo” is a prayer of gratitude and supplication presented by Kaisa sa Sining - Visayas Network as we celebrate culture, environment and society that continue to give meaning in our existence.
A book talakayan will also be held, led by Jayson Vega of Pinoy Reads Pinoy Books Book Club with “Paglaya Yarn?! Freedom and Dissent: A Book Talakayan of F. Sionil Jose’s ‘Mass’.”
“Pamahandi Alimaong” is a presentation by the Kaisa sa Sining - Mindanao Network about Linganay, a graduating senior high school student who is forced to return to their forest settlement. He retraces kinship and rediscovers the struggles his community has gone through, nowhere better from the time he left—it is February. The radio blares speeches commemorating the EDSA People Power, an event Linganay barely recalls.
“OPM’s Not Dead! Ang Panitik sa Musika ng Asin, Banyuhay, at Pinoy Punk” is a tribute to the songwriters and musicians of Original Pilipino Music (OPM). On the same note, “Panata sa Kalyaan,” A dramatic reading of “Panata sa Kalayaan” by artists Nanding Josef, Shamaine Buencamino, Irma Adlawan, Monique Wilson, Nonie Buencamino, Tibo Fernandez, PETA, Kasing Sining of Bohol, Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company followed by the song interpretation by Sing Philippines Youth Choir conducted by Mark Anthony Carpio.
A dance video collaboration interpreting the powerful song during the People Power “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo” will also be presented through “PILI-PINO,” with the direction and choreography by Ronelson Yadao.
To amplify the celebration of the CCP Open House Festival is “Kumpeti,” the façade will be bathed with multi-colored confetti silhouettes along with the Pasinaya logo chasing in different Pasinaya-related colors with the use of manually cut gobos on aluminum sheets and woven color filters. This is a collaborative effort of the Production Design and Technical Services Division Façade Lighting Team, Danilo Villanueva, Louie Alcoran, Nestor Noviza, Camille Balistoy, Allan Fami, Shantie De Roca, Mark Macapulay and other Theater Crew members.
One can also reminisce the EDSA Revolution days through social media by tuning in to various posts such as “People Power 1986: Where Were You? Mga Saysay Mula Sa Sining Biswal,” “Edsa 36: An Intimate Retrospective on The CCP During The People Power Revolution,” “Banned! Valerio Nofuente Collection - Online Exhibit and the Kalayaan Book Fair.”