my thoughts, exactly.

practicing my featured writing skills for portfolio purposes.

[inartsbywenss]

Here's what we'll miss when CCP closes in 2023.

The Cultural Center of the Philippines, which has stood along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City for 53 years to preserve and promote Filipino culture and arts, will close in January 2023 for a three-year renovation.

The CCP, designed by National Artist for Architecture, Leandro V. Locsin, houses three theaters, one audio-visual space with a changing exhibit lobby, hallways, and galleries. Great Filipino artists were honored with the names of each of these spaces.

The CCP Main Theater is named for Nicanor Abelardo, the father of Philippine Sonata. The Little Theater is named after Aurelio Tolentino, a Filipino playwright and revolutionary during Spanish and American colonization; the former Dream Theater, now the CCP Arthouse Cinema, is dedicated after National Artist for Film, Manuel Conde; and the Studio Theater is named after Huseng Batute, King of Balagtasan.

The Main Gallery is dedicated after Juan Luna, while the Small Gallery is named after Fernando Amorsolo. The Little Theater Lobby, which is also a changing exhibit space, is named after Carlos "Botong Francisco, a National Artist for Visual Arts.

Vicente Manansala, a National Artist for Visual Arts, Guillermo Tolentino, known for works such as Oblation and Andres Bonifacio Shrine, and Victorio Edades, the Father of Filipino Modern art, were also honored with hallway names.

As it is home to a variety of permanent works of art, many of which were created by National Artists, such as Vicente Manansala's Tribute to the Seven Arts, Arturo Luz's  Black and White Painting and Paper Clip, Napoleon Abueva's Hilojan and Dancers, and Cesar Legaspi's Triptych, CCP might be considered as a museum.

There is no entrance fee when you visit CCP to explore on your own. You can, however, make a reservation with a tour guide for a more instructional trip.

These are just a few examples of what we can see and learn inside the institution. So, before it closes, come see the artworks and support Filipino culture.

[inartsbywenss]

Cinemalaya at CCP with its’ new normal set-up

CCP Main Ramp with the giant Cinemalaya signage.

On its’ 18th year, the Cinemalaya Independent FIlm Festival is coming back to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) on Aug 5 -14, 2022. From online streaming for the past two years, what should the festival patrons expect at CCP this year?

With its’ theme of Breaking Through The Noise, the full-length competition will comeback to the Tanghalan’s screens with 11 entries along with the 10 short films in competition. 

Remember, CCP tickets sells fast even before the screening schedule. Just like the pre-pandemic days, you must plan your Cinemalaya week as early as now. 

click link for the schedule of screenings: 

http://bitly.ws/tbNq

Here are the lists of the competing films:

• Full Length Films o 12 Weeks by Anna Isabelle Matutina o Angkas / “The Backride” by Rainerio C. Yamson II o Batsoy by Ronald Espinosa Batallones o Bula sa Langit / “Trigger” by Sheenly Gener o Bakit Di Mo Sabihin/ “Tell Her” by Real S. Florido o Blue Room by Ma-an Asuncion Dagñalan o Ginhawa / “Solace” by Christian Paolo Lat o Kaluskos / “Rustles” by Roman S. Perez Jr. o Kargo / “Cargo” by TM Malones o Retirada / “The Retiree” by Milo Alto Paz and Cynthia Cruz-Paz o The Baseball Player by Carlo Obispo

click here for synopsis of each full-length film with schedule: 

http://bitly.ws/tbNv

• Short Films o Ampangabagat Nin Talakba Ha Likol / “It’s Raining Frogs Outside” by Maria Estela Paiso o City of Flowers by Xeph Suarez o Black Rainbow by Zig Dulay o Duwa-Duwa / ”The Play” by Nena Jane Achacoso o DIstance by Dexter Paul de Jesus o Dikit by Gabriela Serrano o Kwits / “Quits” by Raz de la Torre o Mata Kang Busay / “Vision of the Falls” by Niño Maldecir and Cypher John Gayorgor o Mga Handum Nga Nasulat Sa Baras / "The Dreams That Are Written On The Sand" by Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay and Richard Jeroui Salvadico o Si Oddie by Maria Kydylee Torato o See You, George! by Mark Moneda o Roundtrip to Happiness by Claudia Fernando

The film fest will pay its’ Tribute to the outstanding artists who have joined our creator by featuring their respective works. The 2020 and 2021 short film entries will get its’ chance to be screened under the Cinemalaya Retrospective: One More Time with Feelings at Tanghalang Manuel Conde (CCP Arthouse Cinema.)

Delikado by Karl Malakuna and a Documentary, We Don’t Dance for Nothing by Stefanos Tai will be the closing films on Aug 13, 2022. Then followed by the closing ceremony and awards night on Aug 14, 2022 at the CCP Main Theater. 

These featured films are available for 250 pesos each ticket. 20% discount is applicable to students, senior citizens, PWD, retired personnel, government employees and Filipino athletes. You can watch all films in competition via Festival Pass which can be purchased for 2,500 pesos at the CCP Box Office.

click link for Tickets and Festival Pass details: 

http://bitly.ws/tbNx

Looking for free screenings? There are several films scheduled in a first-come, first-served basis for free. It includes the Gawad CCP para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, a film competition with 4 categories: Shorts, Animation, Experimental and Documentary films.

click link for the Gawad CCP schedule:

http://bitly.ws/tcFA

Another free admission is the opening ceremony on Aug 5, 2022, at the CCP Main Theater which features Martika Ramirez Escobar’s film, Leonor Will Never Die, a Sundance Film Festival’s Jury Prize winner.

click link for Opening Ceremony and Film details: 

http://bitly.ws/tbNt

Talkback at the Cinemalaya Tent is an additional free opportunity. With this, you will get your chance to interact and hear the filmmakers’ perspective and experiences with making their entries. It will be on a first-come, first-served basis, too.

For those who plan to have a one-day marathon, there will be food stalls located at the CCP Promenade and coffee shops within the building. But remember, only bottled water is allowed inside the theaters.

The CCP Film Society members can watch previous Cinemalaya entries at the CCP Library. An event such as book launch of different artists including the National Artist, Ricky Lee is also scheduled.

The output of John Lloyd Cruz photographs with the filmmakers will be exhibited at the 3rd floor hallway, Pasilyo Guillermo Tolentino. The Center also prepare multiple instagrammable set-ups all over the building for picture-taking.

Since we’re still adjusting to the new normal, CCP management is still strict when it comes to Covid-19 safety protocols. Vaccination ID/card must be presented upon entry along with the temperature check. Of course, wearing of facemask and physical distancing must be observed at all times.

Are you living too far from CCP? You can check the cinemas near you. Because SM Cinemas will join Ayala Malls in screening Cinemalaya entries starting on Aug 10 until Aug 16 for 230 pesos to 250 pesos. Online streaming will be available on Oct 17-31, 2022 via CCP Vimeo account.

For more details, follow Cinemalaya social media accounts: https://www.facebook.com/Cinemalaya/ https://twitter.com/cinemalayaoffcl https://www.instagram.com/cinemalaya/

[inartsbywenss]

With the comeback of live theater shows at CCP, I was able to experience what we've been missing these past two years. In the list of things we took for granted prior to pandemic crisis, it includes the beauty of art in the form of live storytelling.

It feels nostalgic as I enter the studio theater, the cold-air from the full-blast aircon welcomes and embraces its' guests. And the excitement seeing familiar faces from the theater industry, even with our facemasks on. I can tell that many misses and still supports the festival, and they are ready to announce that the live theater shows are back and the industry is very much alive.

I felt a pinch on my chest when I saw the white-markers on the bleachers seats. It simply indicates the physical distancing in seating arrangement. I guess, no brushing-elbows "literally" with other audience this time. But what is Virgin Labfest without the jeepney-ride feels? Especially, when the all tickets were sold out. Will there be a chance for those who are hoping for stand-by tickets outside the Box Office?

The contagious vibe of excitement is pretty obvious within the black box during the Technical Dress Rehearsal. There's the shift of moods from genuine laughters with every punchlines, to bitterness reaction when the gloomy atmosphere kicks in during the dark plot scenes and the their sighs on heartbreaking parts. The applause with every curtain call shows the mixture of emotions and messages - the support to the production and to being able to watch live theater again. Indeed, these are the experiences that we missed with its' two year absence. I can't even remember that it felt like this before pandemic.

With this year's Virgin Labfest, they put a them with each set. “Life is Strange Fiction” is for Set B and it triggers the rollercoaster of emotions with the combination of plays it consist. First, is a much-disturbing piece by Jerry o’Hara, entitled “Liberation” which was set in a Japanese occupation; then “Absurdo Events Day” by BJ Crisostomo, wherein the events coordinators still doing their jobs as the world ends and where everyone burst-out-laughing in aone-scene loop with a multi-genre play “Nay, May Dala Akong Pansit” by Juan Ekis.

Set A has “Life is Full of Surprises” theme and offers an unsettling reality-bites type of stories. From “Mga Balo” by Maki Dela Rosa which tackles the struggle of a writer, writing about the widows of EJK victims; followed by “Bituing Marikit” by Bibet Orteza that unravels the secrets of a family members of men including their mother; up to “Walang Bago sa Dulang Ito” by Eljay Castro Deldoc that tells a story of a millipede researcher, when she finally fought for justice, life shows her how rotten the system is.

With its' 17th year, the Virgin Labfest Hinga featured 12 one-act plays divided into four sets. It will run from June 16, 2022 until June 26, 2022, with sold-out seats, live at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute. After the live theater week, there will be online show at ticket2me.net from June 30, 2022 until July 10, 2022.