The last time I was at the Cultural Center of the Philippines was back in February 21, 2020 for Alice and Friends, an unforgettable night considering all the drama and controversy that surrounded that performance.
That night feels like ages ago but now, after almost 20 months and dozens of uploaded online presentations later, the CCP is ready to let audiences in (albeit in very limited numbers) for a series of special film screenings. Billed as Wagi: A Celebration of Filipino Excellence, this series features three titles highlighting Filipinos whose achievements made headlines this year in the international scene.
Kicking off the series on November 5, 2021 is Ramona Diaz’s A Thousand Cuts in celebration of journalist Maria Ressa. In October, Ressa was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, along with journalist Dmitry Muratov, for her stand on the truth, democracy, and press freedom. After the screening, there will be a talk back with the filmmaker and other media personalities.
Athletes from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, led by weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz who brought the country’s first ever Olympic gold, are the subjects of Atom Araullo’s Team Pilipinas. This GMA 7 documentary will be screened on November 26, 2021. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics Philippine contingent is the most successful campaign in the country's sporting history with 4 medals won. Along with Diaz's gold, boxers brought home the other medals with Nesthy Petecio and Carlos Paalam winning silver and Eumir Marcial winning bronze.
On December 9, 2021, the spotlight will be on John Arcilla, the winner of the Coppa Volpi for Best Actor at the 78th Venice Film Festival with the screening of Erik Matti’s On the Job: The Missing 8. Arcilla's win marked the first time that a Filipino won an acting award at this film festival which is the oldest and among the most prestigious in the world. This screening, co-presented with the Embassy of Italy in Manila, will also feature a talkback afterwards.
All screenings will be at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) and will begin at 7:00 PM.
In line with the protocols imposed by the government in regards to establishments, there will only be a 30% capacity allowed for the screenings. Only fully vaccinated audience members will be allowed inside. One must present vaccination card, fill up health forms or scan QR code via the Stay safe mobile app upon entry. There will be temperature checks too. Expect a shift in ticketing system too as the CCP adopts scanning QR codes in mobile devices in lieu of paper tickets.
There will also be a strict entry and exit procedure meaning that socializing at the lobby before and after the screenings is now a huge no-no. Of course, the minimum health and safety measures like wearing of face masks and those controversial face shields along with social distancing are still mandatory.
Before the pandemic, the longest time I’ve been away from the CCP was two months and that happened way back in 2009. Now, the CCP is just a few days away from opening its doors once again since the lockdown of March 2020. It might take some time before live performances can happen again, but showing films that celebrate the success of Filipinos is an encouraging step for the CCP to bring some hope to the country that is still getting battered and pummeled by the pandemic.
Check out the CCP's website www.culturalcenter.gov.ph for more details about the screenings and also the protocols being implemented as the center reopens.
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