Star Powerhouse

The Cultural Center of the Philippines Kaisa Sa Sining (CCP KSS) Mindanao Network names the roster of artists and culture specialists who will receive the 3rd Gador Award, a recognition for outstanding artists, cultural workers, and organizations in Mindanao. The Awarding Ceremony will take place on December 14, 2025, in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, co-presented by the CCP KSS Mindanao, City of Koronadal, and the Province of South Cotabato. The awardees are: music artist Bayang Barrios (Agusan del Sur); dance master-visual artist Leonardo “Bing” Cariño (Gen. Santos City); cultural manager Carlo Ebeo (Koronadal City); anthropologist, literary artist-educator Dr. Nagasura Madale (Marawi City); filmmaker Gutierrez “Teng” Mangansakan (Maguindanao); theater director Romeo Narvaez (Gen. Santos City);  Koronadal Hinugyaw Cultural Dance Troupe (KHCDT); contemporary dance group RMMC Teatro Ambahanon (Gen. Santos City),  and the University of Mindanao Chorale (UMC) Davao City. The Ga...

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) continue the celebration of contemporary Filipino art with the 2024 Thirteen Artists Awards (TAA) Exhibition’s Public Programs, following the recent awarding ceremony held on October 6, 2025 and the official start of the 2024 TAA Exhibition on October 7, 2025 at the National Museum of Fine Arts. In line with the celebration of Museums and Galleries Month, this program features a compelling series of artist talks and a curator-led exhibition tour, offering the public an opportunity to engage with the 2024 TAA awardees and curator and gain deeper insights into their creative journeys. The artists talks began on October 11, 2025, with “Bodies, Myths, and Intimacies,” moderated by Rica Estrada Uson, officer-in-charge of CCP Visual Arts and Museum Division, featuring artists Catalina Africa, Russ Ligtas, Joshua Serafin, and Jel Suarez at the Osmeña Hall of the National Museum of Fine Arts. The conv...

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Philippine Madrigal Singers unveil the roster of acclaimed members of the choir community locally and internationally, who will serve as the jury for the upcoming Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival (AOVICF).  The AOVICF is a melting pot of culture synchronizing in perfect harmony through musical artistry. Reflective of this are the jury members for AOVICF 2025 who hail from different cultural regions across the globe: Maria Theresa Vizconde-Roldan and Mark Anthony Carpio from the Philippines, Elise Bradley from New Zealand, Andrea Angelini from Italy, Gene Peterson from the United States of America, Ana Maria Raga from Venezuela, and Roni Sugiarto from Indonesia. Maria Theresa Vizconde-Roldan (Philippines) Dr. Maria Theresa Vizconde-Roldan co-founded the Treble Choir Association of the Philippines with her husband, dedicated to teaching and nurturing children, and promoting Philippine choral music. They also arran...

F rom left: Libertine Dela Cruz (CCP Cultural Content Department Officer-in-Charge), CCP VP-Artistic Director Dennis Marasigan, PNU Vice President for Academics Dr. Marilyn Balagtas, CCP Chairman Jaime Laya, CCP Vice Chair Margie Moran-Floirendo, Nelson Caliguia Jr. (director of Lola Basyang animated film), Benjie Marasigan Jr., Dr. Christine Bellen-Ang (Children’s book writer and playwright), and PNU Vice President for Finance and Management Dr. Lordinio Vergara. (Photo by Orly Daquipil)     THE Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) harnesses the power of storytelling to raise social awareness and advocate for environmental preservation with the launch of Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang: Ang Mahiwagang Bantay ng Bundok Arayat .  It is a captivating animated short film that transports viewers into the enchanting world of Filipino folktales while emphasizing the importance of protecting the Philippine natural heritage.  Featuring the iconic Filipino character Lola Basy...

  Violinist Diomedes Saraza Jr takes music lovers on a journey of imagination with the third installment of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO)’s 40th concert season, slated on December 6, 7:30 p.m., at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater. With his 1972 French violin by Eugene Guinot and Rene Morel (given by Standard Insurance), Saraza Jr. will captivate with his exceptional skill and artistry on the violin as he effortlessly meets the virtuosic demands of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius’ Violin Concerto op.47, D minor. One of the most challenging in the repertoire in the classic music scene, Sibelius concerto premiered in 1904, with violin teacher Victor Novàček as soloist. With lukewarm reception during its premiere, Sibelius rewrote the concerto in 1905, with Berlin concertmaster Karl Halir playing the revised piece. Music history has revealed that the concerto was initially created for violinist Willy Burmester, who was then the concertmaster in Helsingfors. After Sibeli...

S PYC-Tolosa-Spain-2024-A  Andrea O. Veneracion Sing Philippines Youth Choir with choirmaster and conductor Mark Anthony Carpio face the audience at the Tolosa Choral Competition in Spain.   THE Andrea O. Veneracion Sing Philippines Youth Choir, under the leadership of choirmaster and conductor Mark Anthony Carpio, secured an impressive fourth-place finish in both the Polyphony and Folklore categories at the prestigious 55th Tolosako Abesbatza Lehiaketa (Tolosa Choral Competition) held last October 31, 2024, at the historic Leidor Aretoa in Tolosa, Basque, Spain.   Competing against 16 countries from around the world, the SPYC captivated the audience with their rendition of a diverse repertoire, including folk songs and classical and popular choral works. Their performance was met with loud applause and accolades from an international audience.   This competition marks another significant milestone for the AOV Sing Philippines Youth Choir, adding to their list of int...