Star Powerhouse

  The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) ushers in the Christmas season by illuminating the iconic facade of its Main Building with a striking Lubenas parol from Pampanga alongside a belen logo, forming a centerpiece that embodies the enduring spirit of the Christmas season for Filipinos. Titled “GABAY”, the display also highlights the building’s ongoing construction, making it a major component of the display. The façade lighting will be on display from 6pm to 5am, from December 16, 2025 to January 6, 2026. This year’s Christmas facade lighting references the early Filipino belief that a star-shaped lantern (parol) guides churchgoers to the dawn masses (Simbang Gabi). The light display is directed by CCP Trustee and Gawad CCP Awardee for Lighting Design Felix “Monino” Duque. It was conceptualized and designed in collaboration with culture and arts officer and lighting designer Jericho Pagana. “I wanted to have one clear element, which is the logo of the belen. It serves as t...

Every piña fiber, abacá , and jusi fabric woven into a barong Filipino carries the struggles of being acknowledged as the Philippine national dress for men. Along with them, the nation’s fight for acceptance and freedom is reflected in patterns drenched in Philippine culture and tradition.  “The barong Filipino overcame many obstacles, the biggest of which is the Filipinos’ own colonial mentality,” said cultural advocate and Gawad CCP awardee Dr. Nicanor Tiongson in his special lecture at Costume Laboratory (COSLAB) 2, the Costume Design and Construction Laboratory for Philippine Theater workshop held last November 17 to 23, at the De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde. Through its Production Design and Technical Services Division, the CCP conducts ladderized workshops and lectures on the national dress with COSLAB. COSLAB started with the Traje de Mestiza from the 1890s to 1920s.  COSLAB 2 features the baro - the men’s shirt covering the period 1800s, 1920s and 1970s. COSLAB...

  Clothing began as a necessity – protection from the elements, a tool for survival. But over the centuries it transformed into one of humanity’s most powerful aesthetic languages, allowing humans, particularly women, to express identity, emotion, and artistry through what they wear. For renowned fashion designer Josie Natori, being woman-centered in her work helps her highlight the intricacies of women’s personalities through clothing.  “I’ve always said my biggest asset is being a woman, second is being Asian. That’s inherent in the work we do, where a woman is able to express herself through the kind of clothes that we make. I think women have many moods – you can go very simplistic, you can go from just black to a lot of colors – it depends on what she feels. And that’s part of it, because fashion is a way of self-expression,” said the renowned fashion designer. Natori is one of the earliest and most successful Filipino‑American designers, and one of very few immigrant wom...

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 Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) is bringing the joy of live orchestral music to the communities of Nueva Ecija and Dumaguete with its upcoming outreach concerts in the regions. These events aim to bring PPO’s brand of music to different regions, broadening its audience reach and making world-class orchestral music accessible outside the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex.  Under the baton of Resident Conductor Maestro Herminigildo Ranera, the orchestra will present a vibrant program, with each concert highlighting a distinct theme. In Nueva Ecija, audiences will be swept into the festive spirit of the Christmas season through the PPO’s lively performances. Dubbed Himig ng Pasok, Alay sa Inyo , the PPO Nueva Ecija concert will feature home-grown performing groups such as the Voices of the City of Muñoz and the CLSU Maestro Singers with opera singer Gerphil Flores and soloist Gian Carlo Gonzales. The concert will begin at 6:00pm on November 26 at the Science...

CCP Vice President for Administration Jose Victor Gaite, CCP Board of Trustee Teodoro "Junie" Del Mundo, CCP President Kaye C. Tinga, CFO Chairperson Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II, CFO Project Management Division Chief Marita Del Rosario Apattad.   The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) have officially forged a partnership to promote Philippine culture and the arts among overseas Filipinos, especially the youth. The collaboration seeks to deepen the understanding and appreciation of Filipino heritage among our kababayans living abroad through joint initiatives. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on September 25, 2025, at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez. Present at the signing were CFO Chairperson Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II, CCP President Kaye C. Tinga, CCP Board of Trustee Teodoro "Junie" Del Mundo, CCP Vice President for Administration Jose Victor M. Gaite, and CFO Project Management Division Ch...