Cultural Center of the Philippines welcomes new chairperson Margie Moran-Floirendo

CCP Chairperson Margie Moran-Floreindo

The Cultural Center of thePhilippines welcomed Margarita “Margie” Moran-Floirendo as its new chairperson during a turn over and recognition ceremony held recently at the CCP Main Theater Lobby.

Margie Moran is no stranger to the CCP after serving as president (2009-2018) of Ballet Philippines, a resident company of the CCP. She was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as a member of the CCP Board of Trustees in January 2018 and was subsequently elected as CCP Chairperson at the board meeting held in April 2018. She succeeds advertising maven Emily Abrera who has served as chair from 2003 up to 2018.

Past and Present CCP Officers and Board of Trustees

The turn over ceremony also recognized and presented with plaques of appreciation some past members of the board of trustees namely Florangel Braid, Carol Espiritu, Isabel-Caro Wilson, Danilo Dolor, Arch. Cristina Turalba. Previous CCP president Dr. Raul Sunico and previous chairperson Emily Abrera were also among the list of recipients.

Kabataang Gitarista

CCP’s role in discovering and nurturing young music talents were also given a spotlight at the event through performances by the Kabataang Gitarista Quartet whose members are Fernando Sy-Changco, David Tiongson, Andrei Fernandez, and Edel Mark Bitao and National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) winners namely tenor Radnel Ofalsa, soprano Nicole Pugeda, and pianist Gabriel Allan Paguirigan.

Pianist Gabriel Paguirigan, soprano Nicole Pugeda, and tenor Radel Ofalsa

A press conference with Margie Moran followed soon after wherein she stressed the importance of the role of media in promoting arts and culture. She also mentioned that education is key in arts appreciation especially now with the K-12 system already in place.

She also noted that CCP’s upcoming 50^th anniversary is on the horizon and it will be a yearlong festival with concurrent anniversaries also happening like Ballet Philippines’ 50^th and the 15^th for Pasinaya, Virgin Labfest, and the Cinemalaya that have become some of the most well attended events at the CCP. The launch of two new structures, the Black Box Theater and the Artist Center, will book end the celebrations.

Margie Moran has cemented her place in Philippine pop culture history when she won the country’s 2^nd Miss Universe crown back in 1973. But she is more than just a beauty queen and just like her, CCP is more than just Imelda Marcos. Not shying to take advantage of her celebrity status, she aims to make CCP as the center of Arts in Asia and also as a destination for people to come even when there is no show.