The main building may remain asleep, but the shows must go on.
For CCP President Michelle Nikki Junia, the people do not need to go to Manila to experience world-class productions and training because the Cultural Center of the Philippines endeavors to bring the best of Philippine culture and arts closer to all Filipino people in the regions.
The CCP Office of the President’s Outreach Program has its calendar full of concerts featuring the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, and Kabataang Guitarista, with select guest performers. While the CCP Main Building remains closed due to the ongoing rehabilitation, CCP intensifies its outreach programs and events, reaching as far as Tawi-Tawi, Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon in the south, and Nueva Ecija in the north.
“Our outreach programs help us connect with our kababayan in the regions, and also learn what are the cultural and artistic needs of the locals. In this way, the CCP can expand its artistic programming to address the gaps and needs,” said Junia during the media briefing held in Iloilo City.
Junia stated how the outreach activities help discover the type of support a region needs and create cultural exchanges and artistic collaborations among artists from different localities.
For many years, the leading institution for the culture and arts has been widening the stage for Filipino artists and audiences. She observed that some existing musicians from the far regions have limited access to proper training and mentors, and this is where the CCP comes in by providing free, convenient, and accessible masterclasses in every town and province the PPO sets foot on.
“The outreach events are not just about performances. Take, for example, the PPO outreach concert in Iloilo. We incorporate educational components such as masterclasses by the PPO’s resident conductor, Maestro Herminigildo Ranera. We also have concerts where the members of the orchestra teach interested young Filipinos about musical instruments. This is our way to educate the public about the value of classical music,” said Junia.
Following its mandate to nurture the next generation of young artists, the CCP president believes there are so many undiscovered talents in the regions and that the CCP president hopes to provide them with opportunities and equip them with skills through the various training and upskilling programs that the center offers.
Bringing these programs and concerts to the regions is only possible through good collaborations with provincial and local government units, as well as support from the executive and legislative branches of the government.
“We are happy to have our Senators backing up our outreach programs. We are also grateful to our LGU partners. Our CCP network and community have been growing, thanks to these partnerships and support. We don’t want this to be just a short-term relationship. We want it to be a long-term, sustainable collaboration. We hope to gain more support from more and more government units. Our wish is to bring CCP programs to all the towns and provinces in our country, especially in the far-flung areas,” said Junia.
The CCP Office of the President Outreach Program kicked off with a back-to-back concert of the PPO in Iloilo City, in celebration of the Dinagyang Festival, and in Roxas City, Capiz. The country’s premiere orchestra enchanted both the Iloilo and Roxas crowds with classical and contemporary music. Singers Gian Magdangal and Lara Maigue serenaded the audiences with well-loved Filipino music.
“We hope to see you at the next leg of our outreach concerts. We will be in Palawan for Prinsipeng Bahaghari performances, and Cavite for some classical concerts this February. I found fulfillment in seeing our fellow Filipinos, singing along, and enjoying the music. These are precious moments I shared with the artists performing, and with the audiences,” shared Junia.
The CCP Outreach Concerts will be at Palawan (February 23), Carmona, Cavite (February 28), Silang, Cavite (March 22), Bukidnon (April 12), Tacloban and Calbayog (April 26 to 30), San Pedro, Laguna with Madrigal and Kabataang Gitarista (May 3), Binan, Laguna (May 25 to 27), Tawi-Tawi with Madrigal Singers (August 4), Cagayan de Oro through Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (August 15 to 19), Munoz, Nueva Ecija (December 9), and San Agustin Church in Manila (December 18).
