CCP makes video of 50th anniversary gala concert available online
The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) has uploaded the video of its 50th anniversary gala concert “Bulawan” on YouTube.
The concert, held September last year at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo, saw the best of the best in Philippine dance, music and theater. It featured masterpieces by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, Ramon N Santos, Lucrecia Kasilag, Lucio San Pedro, National Artist for Literature Bien Lumbera, National Artist for Theater Rolando Tinio, National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes, and many more.
Their compositions, words and choreography were brought to life by the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, Bayanihan National Folk Dance Company, Ballet Philippines, Rachelle Grodias, Raul Sunico, the Philippine Philharmonic orchestra, Joanna Ampil, Gian Magdangal, Lara Maigue, Poppert Bernadas, Philippine Madrigal Singers and many more.
Veteran actors Celeste Legaspi, Nonie Buencamino, Shamaine Buencamino, Audie Gemora, Monique Wilson also shared their artistic talents in a series of performances.
“Taking from the Bisaya word for “Gold,” BULAWAN celebrates the Filipino artists’ trailblazing turns at home and on international stages,” it says on the description box of the video on the channel.
According to CCP, the twoand-a-half-hour show is a gift to Filipinos during this enhanced community quarantine that’s been extended to April 30.
“Since you requested it, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) brings you HD and archival recordings in theater, dance, visual arts, film, literary, and workshop events from its Cultural Content Digital Archives!” they said in a previous post.
The gala launched the five-year fund raising initiative to rehabilitate the iconic but ageing building and bring it up to standards of the 21st century, placing it at par with the world’s best art venues such as the Lincoln Center, the Sydney Opera House and other theaters worldwide which have become iconic landmarks in their respective countries.
“The CCP has been showing signs of its time. The Main Building is now in need of major renovation and technical upgrading, if it is to remain a cultural landmark and a leading showcase of the performing arts. The challenge for us is to raise P1 billion pesos (in cash, supplies and services) in the next three to five years,” said CCP Chairperson Margie Moran-Floirendo back then.
The funds raised will go to structural rehabilitation and renovation, including electrical and plumbing renovations, purchasing art lighting and sound equipment, upgrading fire systems, installing security systems, wifi connectivity, interior designing and landscaping, rehabilitating the hydraulic system for the main theater’s orchestra pit, among others.
“The renovation project aims to provide the best facility for the production and presentation of performing arts and visual arts in the Philippines. With the facility upgrades, we hope to provide enhanced performing arts experience, pleasing both the artists – local and international alike – and the audiences. By embarking on this journey, we hope to recuperate the CCP’s reputation as one of the best performing arts centers in Asia,” said CCP vice president-artistic director Chris Millado.