CCP expands its festivals amid main building rehabilitation

THE ARTISTIC programs of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) continue to reinforce arts education and appreciation even while its Main Building undergoes extensive rehabilitation.

After over 50 years of existence, the structure’s rehabilitation commenced in January 2023. A full year later, it is about 30% complete.

“CCP is the work of National Artist Leandro Locsin. We can’t just overhaul the whole building,” said CCP president ad interim Michelle Nikki Junia at a Feb. 1 press conference in the Bamboo Pavilion at Liwasang Kalikhasan at the CCP Complex in Pasay City.

“It has been a delicate balancing act of preserving the design and modernizing the building to keep up with the time,” she said.

The rehabilitation project emanated from an audit done from 2018 to 2019. Findings revealed that, while the 55-year-old building’s foundation remains strong, there has been considerable wear and tear beneath the surface.

Work on the building is being done in phases, starting with structural retrofitting following 2015 building code standards, and modernizing structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical features.

“The next phase will strengthen the mechanical and technical capacities of the theaters themselves, to be at par with global standards,” Ms. Junia said.

The project is expected to be complete by 2025, with the Main Building and its theaters “definitely open by 2026.”

FESTIVALS EXPAND TO THE REGIONS

CCP vice-chair Margie Moran-Floirendo said at the press conference that the institution will improve its arts advocacy to the best of its capabilities.

“This year, the CCP heralds another year of firsts and of good old reliable programming, celebrating and advancing the unique creativity of our people and culture,” she said.

Because of the work being done on the main building, its artistic programs and projects are spread out across the regions and online instead. Popular festivals such as the

Pasinaya in February, the Virgin

Labfest in June, and Cinemalaya in August will be going beyond

Metro Manila.

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