CCP opens applications for 14th batch of Kabataang Gitarista

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), through its Artist Training Division under the Arts Education Department, once again opens applications for Batch 14 of the CCP Kabataang Gitarista (KG) Program until August 25, 2026. An initiative designed for young musicians, the program provides FREE weekly classical guitar training that fosters understanding of the instrument and its repertoire.

Open to public high school students in the National Capital Region (NCR), the CCP KG program seeks aspiring classical guitarists in Grades 7, 8, or 9 who are eager to develop their skills. Applicants must be willing to commit to weekly training sessions on Saturdays at the CCP Annex Building and to dedicate time to self-practice on weekdays outside regular training hours. They must also be able to bring a nylon-stringed guitar to the lessons.

Interested applicants may complete and submit the online application form (through this link: https://tinyurl.com/ApplicationFormB14) on or before August 25, 2026 (Tuesday), 5:00 PM. They are expected to attend the onsite auditions on August 29, 2026 (Saturday), from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Complex. Walk-in applications will also be accommodated on the day of the auditions.

Applicants who successfully pass the onsite auditions will be invited, together with their parents and guardians, to attend an orientation and lecture on September 5, 2026 (Saturday), from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the CCP Annex Building.

Now in its 14th year, the CCP KG Program has provided young guitar players with quality classical guitar lessons and performance opportunities. Members of the ensemble have also performed across various CCP venues, selected public and private schools, outreach concerts outside Manila, and private engagements.

Several members have likewise distinguished themselves in local and international competitions, earning recognition for their schools and bringing pride to the country through their achievements. More than technical training, the program aims to develop a performing classical guitar ensemble and provide young musicians with opportunities to explore their musical potential.

For inquiries regarding the CCP Kabataang Gitarista Program, interested applicants may visit this link: https://linktr.ee/kabataanggitarista.official or contact the CCP Artist Training Division via email at kabataanggitarista.official@gmail.com. For updates and additional information, visit the official CCP website (https://culturalcenter.gov.ph/) and follow the CCP Arts Education Programs and CCP Kabataang Gitarista Facebook pages.

CCP outreach performance delights Malabon audience

Male Ensemble Philippines, Jobry Cimafranca, Bishop Pablo Virgilio David,
Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, Jaime Laya, and Kabataang Gitarista

The Cultural Center of the Philippines' outreach program bid the Arts' month adieu with Huni Mula sa Sacristia, an intimate afternoon of music held at the Diocesan Archives and Museum at the San Bartolome Parish Compound in Malabon.

Inside a jam-packed venue, the program featured performances by the Kabataang Gitarista, violin/vocalist crossover artist Jobry Cimafranca, and the Male Ensemble Philippines.

Kabataang Gitarista

The Kabataang Gitarista opened the performances with a selection of pieces that showcased the collaborative spirit of ensemble guitar playing whether it be a duo, a trio, or a quintet.

Jobry Cimafranca

Jobry Cimafranca continues to carve a name for himself beyond the classical music circles as he has now added pop vocals in his solo acts.

Male Ensemble Philippines

The Male Ensemble Philippines proved to be a huge hit as the group serenaded the audience with classic songs by Basil Valdez, the Apo Hiking Society, and the Bee Gees. They also showed a generous dose of humor when singing JK Labajo's mega hit Buwan that led the audience clamoring for an encore.

In attendance were CCP Chairman Jaime C. Laya, National Commission for Culture and the Arts Director Victorino Manalo, Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, D.D. of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalookan, and Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval.

With the enthusiastic response from the audience, it won't be surprising to see more intimate performances such as this be held at the Diocesan Archives and Museum, just behind the San Bartolome Church.

CCP presents Kabataang Gitarista, Jobry Cimafranca, and Male Ensemble Philippines in outreach concert at Malabon

The Cultural Center of the Philippines, in cooperation with Diocese of Caloocan and the City Government of Malabon, presents Huni Mula sa Sacristia on February 28, 4:00 PM at the San Bartolome Parish, Malabon.

Performing uplifting music in this intimate concert at the church's sacristy are the young guitar ensemble Kabataang Gitarista, "viocalist" Jobry Cimafranca and the male vocal ensemble, Male Ensemble Philippines.

The San Bartolome Church is a 408-year-old church that has recently been declared by the National Museum of the Philippines as an Important Cultural Property (ICP).

Kabataang Gitarista gives free concert at St. Scho

In celebration of National Arts Month, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and St. Scholastica's College School of Music present the Kabataang Gitarista in a free concert happening on February 18, 2023, 3:00 PM at the Corazon Aquino Hall, St. Scholastica's College, Manila.

The guitar ensemble group will perform an all-Filipino program consisting of folk and other songs arranged by Monching Carpio.

The performance is for free and open to the public.

Kabataang Gitarista is a program by the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Artist Training Division that aims to promote appreciation for, and interest in classical guitar performance among public high school students. The program provides the highest level of guitar training to public high school students from Manila, Pasay, and Parañaque free of charge through a scholarship program.

CCP opens National Arts Month with Masayang Kabukiran

The Cultural Center of the Philippines in cooperation with the Tribung Pilipino Cultural Foundation welcomes the National Arts Month with Masayang Kabukiran, an online performance of Philippine art songs premiering this February 1, 2022, 6:00 PM at the CCP Facebook page.

This production features sopranos Rachel Gerodias and Jasmine Salvo, baritone Byeong-In Park, tenor Arman Ferrer, and the Kabataang Gitarista Ensemble composed of David Tiongson, Laurence Cadiente, Edel Mark, and Daryll Tiongson.

Masayang Kabukiran brings online the concept of Harana sa Dapit Hapon, a series of afternoon concerts showcasing Filipino music such as the kundiman, harana, balitaw, danza, and other love songs by Filipino composers, that was staged at the CCP Main Theater Lobby back in 2015.

Tribung Pilipino Cultural Foundation is headed by Danny Dolor, nationalist art patron and recipient of the Tanging Parangal at the 2020 Gawad CCP Para sa Sining.

Kabataang Gitarista holds recital online

As the celebrations for the National Arts Month wind down, the Kabataang Gitarista will stream Special Recital on February 27, 2021, 3:00 PM at the Facebook pages of the CCP Arts Education Department and Kabataang Gitarista.

Kabataang Gitarista (KG) is a group of public school students from Manila, Pasay and Parañaque who are receiving classical guitar training for free through the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Arts Education Department.

Since its inception in 2012, this music program has made an impact in the classics guitar scene here and abroad with third prize wins for the KG Trio at the Ensemble Category and Edel Mark Bitao at the Solo Category of the Saigon International Guitar Festival and Competition in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam back in November 2019. Bitao went on to win first prize at the Junior Category of the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) later that month.

Joining Edel Mark Bitao at the upcoming recital are David Tiongson, Laurence Cadiente, Daryll Tiongson, Sarah Salipada, John Ericcson Rapadas, Charles Brian Mendoza, Kyle Adam Lorenzana, Kenneth Manacio, Maeriel Mon, Eliandre Tiongson, Cristian Abion, Gedd Evan Baylongo, Juan Paulo Cristobal, Augustine Francisco, Renz Land Alonzo, Heart Antang, Zack Fazunila and Kerby Trinidad.

CCP’s Kabataang Gitarista celebrates first anniversary with recital

The Kabataang Gitarista, the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Classical Guitar Program for public high school students will celebrate its first anniversary through a first guitar recital on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 3:00 PM at the CCP Silangan Hall. The students will play solo numbers, perform duets and ensemble pieces.

The Kabataang Gitarista is an ensemble of public high schools students from Manila and Pasay who have been taking classical guitar lessons free of charge for almost a year, as part of the Artist Training Program of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The program  was organized in August 2012 to promote appreciation for, and interest in classical guitar performance among public high school students, to provide the highest level of classical guitar training, free of charge, as well as to develop a performing classical guitar ensemble. Under the tutelage of renowned Filipino guitar pedagogue, arranger and performer Maestro Jose Valdez, the group takes regular guitar lessons every Saturday morning.

The ensemble gave its first performance during the 2013 CCP Pasinaya Open House Festival in February 2013. Since then the group has performed in selected public schools such as Lakan Dula, Arellano High and V. Mapa High School in February and March, and gave a performance at the European International School in April 2013.

Due to the interest they have developed in the instrument and their desire to further improve their craft, two of its members are now music majors.  One of them is currently enrolled as a partial scholar of the St. Scholastica’s College School of Music as a guitar major, the other at the Philippine Normal University as a Music Education major.

Its members are: Angelo Argosino, Ezra Bautista, Godrick Banquito, Johann Bueno, Ervin Jubay, Jeulo Madriaga, Christian Mercader, Maia Rutaquio, Daniel Suilen, Carol Teope, Jeremiah Teope and Jezliah Tolentino.

The program includes solo classical, Filipino and popular works as well ensemble numbers.  Some of the works to be performed include Bach’s Bourrée in E minor, Tarrega’s Lagrima, Adelita, Marieta and Recuerdos de la Alhambra; de Guzman’s Bayan Ko, Molina’s Hatinggabi, traditional Filipino songs Ili-ili and Lulay, Pachelbel’s Canon in D, and San Pedro’s Sa Ugoy ng Duyan.

Tickets:

Free admission

For inquiries:

CCP Artist Training Division 832-1125 local 1604/1605, ccp.artist.training@gmail.com