The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), in partnership with the Philippine Normal University (PNU), conducts the first-ever national training program for Bachelor of Culture and Arts Education (BCAED) teachers and administrators on August 4 to 8, 2025, at Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez (TIG), as well as at the PNU Gymnasium and selected rooms in its Bonifacio P. Sibayan (BPS) building.
The milestone event is part of the annual CCP Arts Academy, an innovative platform where teachers and administrators can converse on recent developments and future directions in reimagining the pre-service BCAED curriculum. The program will also highlight specialized teaching strategies through three components: Pananaw, Palihan at Paglikha, and Pagbabahagi.
The CCP Arts Academy’s five-day training kicks off with Pananaw, which orients attendees and utilizes rich cultural resources. Techniques and tools are distributed through hands-on and collaborative activities in Palihan at Paglikha. Under this component, the CCP Arts Academy invited esteemed practitioners to observe strategies and disciplines of the craft.
Winchester Lopez, dance supervisor for GWB Entertainment and Base Entertainment Asia’s production of Miss Saigon in 2024, is the resource speaker for dance alongside Philippine dance educator Clarissa “Issa” Mijares.
Bianca Lopez-Aguila, former soprano of the Philippine Madrigal Singers and current member of The Nightingales, will discuss the art of musicality for voice ensemble.
Award-winning director Zig Dulay (Cinemalaya’s The Baseball Player and Black Rainbow, and GMA’s Maria Clara at Ibarra) will also impart valuable knowledge on film, alongside acclaimed designer and Ternocon’s founding artistic consultant Gino Gonzales (Maria Clara at Ibarra).
Fresh from spearheading the special production of Ganito Na Kami Noon, Paano Na Ngayon? last July 19 in Intramuros, CCP Vice President and Artistic Director Dennis N. Marasigan will elaborate on the intricacy of devising theater productions.
National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee, known for iconic scripts Himala (1982), Moral (1982), and Karnal (1983), details how he describes Filipinos’ everyday lives in films. Lee also wrote Trip to Quiapo, the culmination of his 18 years of scriptwriting.
Meanwhile, the CCP Arts Academy’s third component, Pagbabahagi, emphasizes art as a powerful tool in education. It immerses teachers and students in the Philippine creative industry through the guidance of several resource speakers across various academic and cultural organizations.
Prof. Josue Greg Zuniega, the current Director of the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) and featured soloist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Manila Symphony Orchestra, and Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra, serves as the resource speaker for music.
Nanding Josef, Artistic Director of Tanghalang Pilipino Inc. (TP), will focus on sharing TP’s KAPWA as a philosophy and pedagogy in Philippine theater, while theater-making will be expounded by award-winning director Marco Viaña.
Currently serving as the President of the Philippine Folk Dance Society and as the CCP’s Chief Culture and Arts Officer, Ronnie Mirabuena shares his expertise and passion for enriching Filipino dances within the nation and on international platforms.
Rica Estrada Uson, the Officer-in-Charge of the CCP Visual Arts and Museum Division, imparts valuable knowledge on the visual arts, drawing on her involvement in various organizations, including the Association of Greater Manila Area Museums, the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, and the Asia Pacific Network for Cultural Education and Research.
Mae Caralde, Broadcast and New Media Division Chief of the CCP, will discuss creating film-making alongside the bright future of Philippine cinema. Meanwhile, Associate Artistic Director of CCP’s Arts Education Department Eva Mari Salvador spearheads the conversation on navigating the performing arts.
The CCP Arts Academy aims to equip “future-ready” arts educators, scholars, and practitioners with artistic and teaching skills. The national forum curated modules aligned with the current learning competencies of BCAED students, cultivating their knowledge on art education and production. To advance their artistic development and critical thinking skills, the invited teacher-applicants will participate in a mentoring and critiquing process facilitated by a pool of revered speakers.
The CCP, through its Arts Academy, fulfills its promise to integrate Philippine arts and culture into everyday life. The national training also fosters camaraderie within a community bound by the profound passion for understanding the Philippines’ cultural tapestry. While teasing a deeper appreciation and admiration for the nation’s heritage, the CCP reaffirms its dedication to supporting the professional and artistic growth of Filipino educators and students.
For current and future workshops, trainings, and events, follow the CCP’s official social media accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. You may also check on the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) for updates.
