New component 'Palaro', expanded reach at CCP's Pasinaya 2025

The Cultural Center of the Philippines just announced that Palaro is newest component of Pasinaya 2025, the country's largest multi-arts event happening on February 1-2, 2025 at the CCP Complex and various venues nationwide.

The introduction of Palaro, featuring the final output of the CCP Game and Comics Development Grant awardees, solidify video games and comics' undeniable contribution to national culture. The component will let participants try live gameplay demos, join tournaments, and explore the developer's final products that showcase Philippine heroes, mythology, landmarks and more.

Adopting the theme CCP Pasinaya 2025 Open House Festival: Para sa Lahat!, this year's edition, its 19th overall, now expands to Clark, Pampanga in collaboration with Clark Development Corporation, Batangas Province, Himamaylan, Negros Occidental, and Sorsogon City, Bicol. Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA), Iloilo and Tagum City, Davao del Norte with the Musikahan sa Tagum Foundation, Inc. both return as Pasinaya venues through the partnership with CCP's Kaisa sa Sining. In Metro Manila, the CCP Complex will be joined by Circuit Makati, The Metropolitan Theater, Intramuros, Aliw Theater and various partner museums and galleries.

As usual, Pasinaya 2025 will have the See-All-You-Can, Workshop-All-You-Can, Network-all-You-Can, Pay-What-You-Can scheme to experience not only what the CCP has in store for 2025 but also a whole lot more.

Reprinted below is the press release for Pasinaya 2025.

CCP Pasinaya 2025 Open House Festival expands its two-day program nationwide

The Philippines' largest multi-arts event, the CCP Pasinaya Open House Festival, returns bigger and better than ever, featuring an exciting new component and an expanded audience reach. The festival will take place on February 1 and 2, 2025 at various venues nationwide under the theme “CCP Pasinaya 2025 Open House Festival: Para sa Lahat!,” in its 19th edition.

This year, CCP Pasinaya will serve as the vibrant launch event for the National Arts Month 2025 celebration, setting the stage for a month-long tribute to the Philippines' rich cultural heritage and artistic excellence.

In partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), this year's National Arts Month aims to engage audiences from all walks of life, inviting them to explore, support, and celebrate the dynamic and flourishing arts scene across the country.

With the country's leading cultural institutions collaborating, CCP Pasinaya will not only showcase Filipino artists but also foster a deeper appreciation for how the arts shape the nation's identity and cultural landscape, unite communities, inspire creativity, and preserve its rich traditions.

The festival also extends its reach to new regional partner sites, including Clark (Pampanga) collaborating with Clark Development Corporation, Batangas Province (Batangas), Himamaylan (Negros Occidental), and Sorsogon City (Bicol). It also makes a highly anticipated return to Iloilo City headed by the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) and Tagum City (Davao del Norte) with the Musikahan sa Tagum Foundation, Inc. This is in partnership with the networks of the CCP Kaisa sa Sining.

In Metro Manila, the CCP Pasinaya will unfold across multiple venues such as Circuit Makati, The Metropolitan Theater, Intramuros, Aliw Theater and various partner museums and galleries, offering a vibrant celebration of Filipino arts and culture.

“The CCP Pasinaya has always been a celebration of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the Philippines. As we mark its 19th edition, we are excited to expand the festival’s reach and bring more inclusive, accessible, and engaging experiences to audiences across the country. With new regional partners and innovative components like the Palaro, Pasinaya 2025 promises to be a grander, more vibrant showcase of Filipino artistry for all to enjoy,” said CCP President Kaye C. Tinga.

Favorite components – Palihan, Palabas, Paseo Museo, Palitan, Pagtitipon, and Pamilihan – bring together a diverse mix of art groups and individual artists from across the Philippines. They offer over 200 performances, workshops, and activities showcasing the best of music, theater, dance, visual arts, films, and literature.

In Palihan, the public can participate in workshops of various art disciplines conducted by leading artists, resource persons, and experts. Palabas is all about performances featuring the CCP resident companies such as the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the Bayanihan National Dance Company, the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, and the Madrigal Singers, along with professional, amateur, and community-based artists and arts organizations.

Meanwhile, Palitan is an arts market where pre-registered participants can pitch their productions and other contents to prospective producers from here and abroad; while CCP Kaisa sa Sining regional network members converge in Pagtitipon. Paseo Museo gives audiences a hop-on, hop-off tour of the partner museums and galleries in Manila and Pasay cities.

A new highlight of this year’s Pasinaya is Palaro, which features the final output of the CCP Game and Comics Development Grant awardees that showcase Philippine mythology, simulation with iconic Filipino heroes, exploration of Philippine landmarks, puzzles, and story-driven adventure. This component lets participants experience live gameplay demos, participate in exciting tournaments, and explore the developers' innovative creations up close.

“The addition of Palaro to this year’s CCP Pasinaya is a groundbreaking step in celebrating the intersection of art, technology, and creativity. By featuring the innovative works of the CCP Game Development grantees, we are highlighting the immense talent and potential of our Filipino creators in the gaming industry by providing them a platform to showcase their craft. Palaro offers a fresh and exciting experience for our audience, making CCP Pasinaya 2025 even more dynamic and inclusive. Truly it is Para Sa Lahat,” said CCP Vice President and Artistic Director Dennis N. Marasigan.

With its See-All-You-Can, Workshop-All-You-Can, Network-all-You-Can, Pay-What-You-Can scheme, the CCP Pasinaya anticipates an audience of over 50,000. In 2024, the festival attracted approximately 45,347 audienceship in six venues in Manila, Iloilo and Tagum. It collaborated with 26 embassies, partnered with 17 museums and galleries, featured 142 performing groups and artists, and 44 Pamilihan vendors.

Established in 2005, the CCP Pasinaya was conceived as a launch event to the National Arts Month celebration. It was originally created as CCP’s marketing tool to provide previews for its upcoming productions and programming for the year. Through the years, the festival has grown bigger and become a venue for art appreciation and education, networking, and collaborations.

For more details on Pasinaya and other CCP events, check out the CCP website at www.culturalcenter.gov.ph and its official social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Pasinaya Feature: Art Advances in Tagum City Despite the Calamity

Children, artists, and other participating groups together at an evacuation center
in Barangay San Miguel

True to its theme "Sulong", Pasinaya: The CCP Open House Festival forged ahead and pushed through with its regional edition in Tagum City on February 3 to 6, 2024 despite the heavy rains and floods that hit the Davao region in recent times.

Everyone gathers at the Opening Program of Pasinaya sa Tagum City
held at the Tagum City Historical and Cultural Center

With safety as the top priority, CCP Pasinaya 2024 gathered more than 300 artists, performing groups, production staff, and Kaisa sa Sining (KSS) representatives from Luzon, National Capital Region, Visayas and Mindanao and continued with its four-day festival programming.

Audiences watch a performance at an evacuation center
in the Municipality of Dujali, Davao del Norte

While the three venues, namely, Tagum City Historical & Cultural Center, City Hall Atrium, and Meditation Center, became inaccessible to the public, the production managers and organizers decided to bring the festival and various performances to flood victims at the four evacuation centers in Barangay San Miguel, Bingkungan, Cuambogan and Mangkilam, including the Tagum City Cathedral.

Crowds watch a group perform at an evacuation center in Barangay Bingkungan

Audiences admire the performance of a group at an evacuation center
in Barangay Bingkungan

Although most of the activities and shows did not push through, the warm response and smiles of the evacuees made the CCP Pasinaya in Tagum even more meaningful.

CCP's cultural exchange and outreach continue through its Ugnayan sa Sining Visayas
collab production "Hinablon" in the Municipality of Asuncion, Davao del Norte

The regional performing groups under the CCP Ugnayan sa Sining Visayas and Mindanao presented their original performances of Hinablon: Threads of Visayan Creativity and Bunnal: Breaking New Grounds for Mindanao for Davaoeños in the municipalities of Asuncion and Dujali, Davao de Oro on February 6. The various art forms of dance, music, drama, and visual arts including the KSS collaborative mural paintings under beam posts of the Tagum City flyover served as inspiration and call to the Tagumeños, Davaoeños and the public on the importance of intense conservation of nature and propagation of art and culture.

Audiences watch a performance at an evacuation center
in the Municipality of Asuncion, Davao de Oro

CCP extends its heartfelt gratitude to all the artists and performing groups who participated in the first Mindanao edition of CCP Pasinaya in Tagum City. The Kaisa sa Sining visual artists from Luzon included: Marlin Lopez (Nueva Vizcaya), Brendale A. Tadeo (Zambales), Tristan Bamba (Mauban, Quezon), Carlo Dimaano (Laguna), Johnley Mayorga (Marinduque), Salvador Ching, facilitator (Bulacan), Roen Capule, facilitator (Bulacan), Jonathan Carpio, facilitator (Bulacan).

A Collaborative Mural painting by KSS visual artists on a beam post
under the Tagum City flyover

Kaisa sa Sining visual artists pose with one of the collaborative mural paintings
on a beam post under the Tagum City flyover

Visual artists from Visayas who also joined were Lloyd Develos (Roxas City, Capiz), Brent Naranja (Murcia, Negros Occidental), Engelbert G. Ramirez (Himamaylan City), Efraim Alfaras (Iloilo City). The Mindanao visual artists were Sarsalem Malekysu (General Santos City), Xyla Sumalinog (Tagum City), Ejay Que Doronio (Tagum City), Reymart Ursabia (Tagum City), Ruben Langamen (Tagum City), Lestine Sarillana (Tagum City), Maegz Ordoña (Tagum City), Jamedith Abuan (Tagum City).

Kids and adults watch a performance at an evacuation center
in Barangay San Miguel

The following performing groups from Luzon also participated: Ari Tau Folkloric Society (Nueva Vizcaya), Bataeno Lahing Magigiting Vocal Ensemble (Bataan High School for the Arts), Likhang Sining Dance Company (Batangas City), Pundaquit Virtuosi (Zambales).

A group performs before audiences at an evacuation center
in Barangay Bingkungan

RMMC Sinag-Laya enthralls audiences at an evacuation center
in Barangay Bingkungan

Four groups from the Visayas joined as well, namely the Iloilo National High School (Iloilo City), Leyte Dance Theater (Tacloban City), Kasing Sining (Bohol), Kultura De Artes (Himamaylan City), Mandaue Children & Youth Chorus (Mandaue, Cebu).

The University of Mindanao Chorale performs at the Tagum City Cathedral

There were a number of performing groups from Mindanao - AORNHS Rondalla (Maco, Davao de Oro), Kathara Dance Theater Collective (Davao City), Kaliwat Performing Arts Collective (Davao City), University of Mindanao Chorale (Davao City), RMMC Sinag Laya (General Santos City), RMMC Teatro Ambahanon (General Santos City), Mindanao Hiphop Collective (General Santos City), MSU Tambuli Cultural Dance Troupe (Tawi Tawi), MSU Sining Kambayoka Ensemble (Marawi City), MSU Sining Kandidilimudan Ensemble (Maguindanao), Mandayanayaw (Tagum City).

Kids interact with members of a performing group at an evacuation center
in Barangay Cuambogan

The CCP Cultural Exchange Department (CED), in collaboration with the Tagum City local government, the Tourism and Cultural Office, the Musikahan sa Tagum Foundation, and the Tagum City Council of Women Foundation, managed all the activities for the KSS general assembly and CCP Pasinaya in Tagum City and neighboring communities. The CCP sends its appreciation to all volunteers and production-technical staff from Tagum, Ozamiz, Iligan, General Santos, and Agusan del Sur.

Himig Himbing lullabies at Pasinaya in Libya

The Cultural Center of the Philippines was not kidding when it said that it is keen on expanding the Pasinaya beyond the CCP Complex. And expand it did with the second edition of Pasinaya sa Libya 2024 happening this February 16, 2024 at the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli, Libya.

Presented by the CCP and the Philippine Embassy in Libya, Pasinaya sa Libya 2024 will be headlined by the screening of Himig Himbing: Mga Heleng Atin, a collection of music videos of folk and indigenous lullabies that have been recently recorded. A talkback with ethnomusicologist Sol Trinidad and musical director Krina Cayabyab is scheduled after the screening.

Pasinaya sa Libya 2024 will also feature an art exhibit with works by Ed Parrocha and other performances.

More details can be found at the press release reprinted below.

CCP PASINAYA BRINGS FILIPINO LULLABIES TO LIBYA

For two years now, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Philippine Embassy in Libya have partnered to celebrate the National Arts Month with the Pasinaya sa Libya, an abridged version of the largest multi-arts festival organized by the premiere arts institution in the Philippines. Through Pasinaya sa Libya, the Philippine Embassy aims to reintroduce Philippine arts and culture to the Filipino community in Libya, as well as promote cultural exchanges between the two countries. Pasinaya in Libya will be happening on February 16, 2024.

This year, CCP and the Philippine Embassy present “Himig Himbing: Mga Heleng Atin” music videos, featuring the modern interpretations of Philippine folk lullabies. A project by the CCP Arts Education Department, “Himig Himbing: Mga Heleng Atin” aims to reintroduce the Philippine indigenous lullabies to contemporary audiences and develop nurturers that are grounded in our Philippine songs and hele. Last year, selected Cinemalaya short films were screened during Pasinaya in Libya.

"We are happy to continue the partnership with the Philippine Embassy in Libya to keep the Philippines' arts and cultures alive in the hearts of our kababayans living outside their home country. I'm sure some grew up hearing these lullabies from your parents and guardians. If you are not familiar with these heles, this is a good opportunity to learn about our lullabies. We have so many heart-touching lullabies we should preserve and promote. We don't want the younger generation to not experience them. We don't want these lullabies to be forgotten," said CCP president ad interim Michelle Nikki Junia.

After the screenings, there will be a talkback with ethnomusicologist Sol Trinidad, whose research became the basis of the project, and musical director Krina Cayabyab, who did the modern musical arrangements of the featured lullabies. They will share their knowledge on Philippine lullabies, and explain the importance of preserving these Filipino lullabies.

Aside from the film screening, there are other events everyone can participate in. An art exhibit opens at 10am which will feature works of Ed Parrocha, followed by a series of performances at 2pm.

For its 2024 edition, the CCP Pasinaya attracted and drew over 50,632 audience count, with 44,115 from the CCP Complex and partner museums, 1232 in Circuit Makati, 656 in Iloilo City, and 4629 in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. This was the first time that the CCP Pasinaya went beyond the complex and into the regions. The management hopes to bring CCP Pasinaya to every regions in the country, and even in other countries where there are Filipino communities.

Interested participants may register here: https://bit.ly/PasinayaSaLibya2024. Follow the official CCP social media pages on Facebook, X, Instagram and Tiktok for more updates.

Pasinaya Feature: 15 Museums and Galleries You Can Visit in CCP Pasinaya

EXPERIENCE the hop-on, hop-off museum tours with CCP Pasinaya’s Paseo Museo this February 3 and 4. The country’s largest multi-arts festival partners with various museums in Metro Manila to bring cultural and artistic experience that provide insights on Philippine history and heritage, contemporary arts, and what have you.

For the Paseo Museo, you can visit as many museums and galleries as you can while you pay and donate what you can. Ride the CCP shuttle van and explore these 15 museums and galleries.

1. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES – The National Museum of Fine Arts showcases several art exhibitions of classical Filipino masters, National Artists for the Visual Arts, leading Modernist painters, sculptors and printmakers. See and appreciate well-known masterpieces, such as Juan Luna’s “Spoliarium” and Félix Resurrección Hidalgo’s “The Assassination of Governor Bustamante”.

2. FORT SANTIAGO AND CASA MANILA, In partnership with the Intramuros Administration – Follow the footsteps of Dr. Jose Rizal, at the Fort Santiago and the Rizal Shrine Museum, exhibiting memorabilia of the Philippine National Hero. Experience the historic architectural heritage at Casa Manila, with its bahay na bato structure.

3. GSIS MUSEUM – Established in 1996, the GSIS Museum showcases their rich art collection of National Artists for Visual Arts such as Fernando Amorsolo’s “History of Philippine Music” mural, as well as exhibitions from new and upcoming Philippine artists.

4. GALLERIA DUEMILA – Established in 1975, Galleria Duemila is known as one of the oldest art galleries in Manila. Galleria Duemila specializes in highlighting Filipino and other ASEAN contemporary artists and other modern masters such as Fernando Amorsolo, Fernando Zobel, Jose Joya, H.R. Ocampo, among others.

5. ASIAN INSTITUTE OF MARITIME HISTORY (MUSEO MARITIMO) – Learn about Philippine seafaring and marine history through the rich repository of marine art, ship models, and nautical artifacts of Museo Maritimo.

6. MUSEO MARINO – Museo Marino highlights the rich history and experiences of the seafaring union Associated Maritime Officers and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines-All Japan Seamen’s Union (AJSU-AMOSUP) through their exhibitions and informative displays giving tribute to the welfare of Filipino seafarers. Inside the museum, one can find replicas of the types of vessels many Filipino seafarers serve on, from cargo vessels to car carrier ships.

7. MANILA CLOCKTOWER MUSEUM – Designed by Architect Antonio Toledo in the 1930s, the iconic clock tower is accessible through Manila City Hall and stands at 100 feet high. Transformed into a museum in 2022, the Manila Clocktower Museum features an immersive and multi-sensory experience about the history of Manila, and also features changing exhibitions in the visual arts, design and fashion.

8. PWU SFAD GALLERY – Located inside the Philippine Women’s University, the School of Fine Arts and Design Studio Gallery holds numerous exhibitions that showcased works of PWU alumni, students, faculty and organizations. It is designated as a studio gallery by setting itself as a laboratory for academic study, artistic exploration and inquiry.

9. MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART AND DESIGN (MCAD) – Explore contemporary art exhibitions and other cultural and art-inspired activities showcasing the possibilities of technology and new media at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design.

10. ADAMSON UNIVERSITY MUSEUM – Adamson University Museum has two wings – the Vincentian Wing, exhibiting the history of the university from 1964 to present, and the Founder’s Wing, presenting the life of the university’s founder, Dr. George Lucas Adamson, and the early years of the Adamson School of Industrial Chemistry and Engineering.

11. DESTILERIA LIMTUACO MUSEUM – Delve into the rich history of the Philippines’ oldest distillery, with insightful narratives about the establishment's heritage and the individuals who have propelled this century-old business to its current success.

12. BAHAY TSINOY – Develop an understanding of the cultural identity of the Chinese-Filipino community at Bahay Tsinoy’s Kaisa-Angelo King Heritage Center. The museum has documented the history, lives and contributions of the ethnic Chinese in Philippine history.

13. CCA BENILDE – The De La Salle – College of St. Benilde’s Center for Campus Art explores the intersections of art, design, society, communities, and the environment through exhibitions of artists in several disciplines, as well as featuring works and collaborations with the student body of Benilde.

14. ILOILO MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART – This year, Pasinaya goes to Iloilo City. Festival participants can visit the first museum in the Visayas region dedicated to modern and contemporary art, the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA).

15. FILM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF THE PHILIPPINES CINEMATHEQUES – Indulge in cinematic experience at the FDCP Cinematheques in Manila and Iloilo City, both serve as alternative theaters showcasing more diverse content offerings.

CCP Pasinaya’s Paseo Museo tours start at 9:30am, with the last trip at 4pm on February 3 and 4, 2024. The multi-arts festival is simultaneously held at CCP Complex, Circuit Makati, various partner museums and galleries in Metro Manila, ILOMOCA in Iloilo City, and in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

Follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok for the latest updates.

Pasinaya 2024 expands with Circuit Makati, FDCP Iloilo as new venues

The Cultural Center of the Philippines' Main Building might be out of commission for the Pasinaya: The CCP Open House Festival for the second consecutive year, but it doesn't mean that there is less to explore.

In fact, Circuit Makati's Power Mac Spotlight Blackbox Theater and Activity Center as well as The Film Development Council of the Philippines' Cinematheque in Iloilo have joined the Pasinaya as new venues.

Additional details about the new venues and more information can be ready below.

CIRCUIT MAKATI AND FDCP CINEMATHEQUES JOIN CCP PASINAYA 2024

Supporting Filipino artists and cultural groups since 2005, Pasinaya: The CCP Open House Festival gets bigger and better for its 20th year with additional venues in Tagum, Davao Del Norte, Iloilo City, Circuit Makati and the Film Development Council of the Philippines’ (FDCP) Cinematheque Centre in Iloilo joining this year’s edition.

“This new development just came in. After the Pasinaya in 2023, Tagum City offered to host a version of our multi-arts festival. We thought it was a good way to expand our reach and engage our kababayan from Davao del Norte and neighboring MIndanaoan provinces and towns,” shared CCP president Michelle Nikki Junia.

Thanks to the Cultural Outreach Department, through its Kaisa sa Sining program, the partnership pushed through.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Iloilo City joined the festival This was the fruit of the partnership with the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Arts (ILOMOCA), which hosted one of CCP touring exhibits featuring the 21AM Collection.

And while the CCP has been busy organizing the whole festival in January 2024, Circuit Makati and FDCP Iloilo got on board and shared their interest to be part of the country’s largest multi-arts festival this year.

“This is definitely a welcome development. We welcome all partnerships so that we can engage as many artists as we can, and reach more and more audiences. We hope this will eventually develop progressively where we can have Pasinaya in different regions, in various performing spaces throughout the country,” said CCP artistic director Dennis Marasigan.

This year, Pasinaya will be simultaneously held at the CCP Complex, 14 museum and gallery partners around Metro Manila, FDCP Cinematheque in Manila and Iloilo, the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Arts in Iloilo City, and Tagum City, Davao del Norte on February 3 and 4, 2024. Pasinaya activities in Circuit Makati (Power Mac Spotlight Blackbox Theater and Activity Center) will be held on February 4.

Since 2005, the Pasinaya has become a safe space for artists and cultural groups to showcase their talents while being a nurturing platform for art education and appreciation for the audiences through hundreds of free shows, workshops, and other activities in music, theater, dance, visual arts, film, and literature to choose from.

With its experience-all-you-can, pay-what-you-can scheme, participants may go in and out of the different CCP venues to join 30-minute workshops in various art disciplines conducted by leading artists, resource persons, and teachers, or watch as many shows, screenings, and activities as they can.

In 2023, audience counts reached 37,888 – 12,055 participated in 43 Palihan workshops, 24,482 watched 101 Palabas shows (58 at the CCP Complex, and 43 in partner museums/galleries), and 1,236 enjoyed the Paseo Museo tours in 13 museums and galleries. Total donations amounted to Php 253,514.

With the added venues inside and outside the capital city, the CCP foresees increasing its last year’s audience count of 37,888 significantly. Following the theme “Sulong,” Pasinaya has certainly been making big moves, and it will keep on moving forward in the next 20 years and beyond.

Follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok for the latest updates on CCP Pasinaya: Sulong.

Pasinaya Feature: Art as Food for the Soul

Pasinaya 2023 Technical Crew

For veteran stage managers Renz Sevilla, Ching Danseco, Roldan Espino, and Richard Eusebio, working on the stage management of Pasinaya: The CCP Open House Festival does not only bring joy to their lives, but it satisfies their soul and sustains it as well.

“Through time, magiging panata ‘yan. You have to be here because you have to pay back for all the good things na binigay [sa amin] ng Sentro,” said seasoned stage manager and designer Sevilla, who works as a carpenter and farmer when he’s not doing production work.

Eusebio, who was also a former folk dancer, currently works in a cruise ship but always makes sure to volunteer in Pasinaya every time he comes home.

Espino, meanwhile, finds joy in working in Pasinaya. A full-time fireman, he started his Pasinaya journey in 2017 and never stopped since then. He also does stage work in various CCP events through the years. “Basta bukal sa puso mo at masaya ka sa ginagawa mo, ipagpatuloy mo lang.”

Pasinaya 2023 Opening Ceremony

Danseco reminisced of how they volunteered to do Pasinaya, with just shirts as payment. “Walang bayad noon – t-shirt lang. Ngayon, kahit kaunti meron na kaming natatanggap. Pero hindi pera ‘yung naging driving force para sumali kami sa Pasinaya. Kasi it’s food for the soul of the stage manager,” enthused Danseco who is a former folk dancer.

As Sevilla and his fellow veteran stage managers saw this as a stepping stone for their credentials to flourish, they did not mind the lack of monetary compensation.

“Sa simula, pumasok kami ng Pasinaya for the experience, for the feel kung ano bang nangyayari sa Pasinaya. As years go by, gaya ng pag dumating ka na sa ganitong edad, having served years working in Pasinaya, magkakaroon ka na ng sense of devotion,” said Sevilla.

As stage managers, they handle more or less everything. May it be in the creative or technical department, they oversee sets, props, lights, and sound; while calling all technical cues during performances. With the many hats they wear, the challenges they face as stage managers only serve to keep their passion for their work burning.

Video Editor Ian Wong, Deputy Festival Director Ariel Yonzon, and the production crew

“Hindi mo mararamdaman ‘yung pagod, talagang mag-eenjoy ka kahit na kulang ka sa tulog at pagod,” said Espino.

Danseco sees this as an eye-opener for the young volunteers. “It’s an experience, yes, but it is also a huge challenge and a huge responsibility, lalo na dahil marami kang hawak na performing groups,” he said.

In 2023, there was a grand total of 150 shows which featured more than 3,000 artists from different art fields. As an open house festival, Pasinaya welcomes people from all walks of life to foster art appreciation not only through countless performances, screenings, and other art activities, but also through 30-minute workshops in various art disciplines conducted by leading artists, resource persons, and teachers.

“Para ka na ring nag-aral in two days,” said Sevilla, who encourages future Pasinaya attendees to watch all the shows and join all the workshops they can. “Ang dami mong matututunan, ang dami mong mae-experience, ang dami mong inspiration na makukuha out of the things you see in Pasinaya.”

Stage Manager Ching Danseco

Since 2005, the Pasinaya has become a safe space for artists and cultural groups to showcase their talents while being a nurturing platform for art education and appreciation for the audiences through interactions and performances.

Pasinaya boasts of over a hundred free shows, workshops, and other activities in music, theater, dance, visual arts, film, and literature to choose from. It is also widely known to pool hundreds of volunteer artists, stagehands, technical crew, and other cultural workers to make the entire festival possible.

This year, for the first time ever, the country’s biggest multi-arts festival will go beyond the capital city and spread its wings to Visayas and Mindanao on February 3 and 4, 2024.

“It’s a great opportunity for a family to gather together kasi hindi lang siya nagka-cater sa bata, sa matanda, o sa magulang – lahat kina-cater niya,” said Danseco.

Stage Manager Renz Sevilla

Eusebio hopes for more young volunteers to try stage management since the vocation also champions the Philippines and its cultures. “Kailangang marami pa tayong maproduce na stage managers – hindi para mag-abroad, kundi para mabigyan natin ng daan ang local artists natin para umunlad.”

Following the theme “Sulong,” the country’s largest multi-arts festival returns on a grander scale with more artistic and cultural offerings in its 20th year. Pasinaya will simultaneously happen at the CCP Complex and its partner museums, the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Arts in Iloilo City, and Tagum City, Davao del Norte on February 3 and 4, 2024, moving forward to promote art as food for everyone’s soul.

CCP Pasinaya moves forward, expands to Iloilo & Tagum cities

This 2024, the Cultural Center of the Philippines sets its sights forward as the Pasinaya CCP Open House Festival turns 20.

Adopting the theme of Sulong, this edition sees Iloilo City and Tagum City join simultaneously the festivities happening at the CCP Complex on February 3 and 4, 2024.

With a minimum donation of just P50, one can join as many workshops as they can, watch as many performances as they can, visit partner museums and galleries, join the many activities lined up, and more for the two days of the festival.

More details about Pasinaya 2024 can be seen at the press release reprinted below.

MOVING FORWARD WITH CCP PASINAYA: SULONG

This year’s CCP Open House Festival celebrates its 20th year with simultaneous activities in CCP Complex, Iloilo City, and Tagum City

Photo ©Athena Fontamillas

Two decades of bringing arts closer to Filipino people, and the Pasinaya: The CCP Open House Festival just keeps getting better and bolder in 2024.

For the first time, Pasinaya goes beyond the capital city and spreads its wings to Visayas and Mindanao. The multi-arts festival will be simultaneously happening at the CCP Complex and its partner museums, the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Arts in Iloilo City, and Tagum City, Davao del Norte on February 3 and 4, 2024.

Following the theme “Sulong,” the country’s largest multi-arts festival returns on a grander scale with more artistic and cultural offerings in its 20th year.

Photo ©Athena Fontamillas

“After escaping the confines of the pandemic in last year’s Pasinaya: Piglas, the new partnership with ILOMOCA and Tagum City pushes the boundaries. The CCP will always find ways to provide spaces for our artists and cultural groups where they can showcase their talents and create new audiences who will participate in artmaking and appreciate the best that the Philippines has to offer,” said CCP artistic director Dennis N. Marasigan.

A wide variety of exciting activities await the public in Pasinaya 2024. Happening in various venues at the CCP Complex such as CCP Front Lawn, Liwasang Kalikasan, Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez and its surroundings, and parade ground of Vicente Sotto Street, and in partner museums and galleries, the festival boasts over a hundred shows, workshops, and other activities in music, theater, dance, visual arts, film, and literature to choose from.

With its experience-all-you-can, pay-what-you-can scheme, participants may go in and out of the different CCP venues to join 30-minute workshops in various art disciplines conducted by leading artists, resource persons, and teachers, or watch as many shows, screenings, and activities as they can.

Photo © Athena Fontamillas

Pasinaya kick starts on February 3, 7 am, with an opening salvo and special program, followed by the flash mob dance featuring the festival jingle, Sulong Pasinaya, which has become a tradition of the art festival through the years.

Festival components include Palihan where audiences can join the different workshops; and Palabas where they can watch unlimited shows, featuring more than 3,000 artists from different art fields. Festival programmers and art groups will meet in Palitan to do some business-to-business meetings.

Paseo Museo shuttles audiences to various partner galleries, museums, and art spaces around the metro with the hop-on, hop-off tour scheme. Pagtitipon, meanwhile, gathers the Kaisa sa Sining partners from different regions of the countries to participate in the annual art festival. Finally, Pamilihan features the sale of goods from all over the country.

Registration starts as early as 6:30 am at the Bukaneg side of the CCP Front Lawn and at Vicente Sotto Street.

Photo © Athena Fontamillas

In 2023, audience counts reached 37,888 – 12,055 participated in 43 Palihan workshops, 24,482 watched 101 Palabas shows (58 at the CCP Complex, and 43 in partner museums/galleries), and 1,236 enjoyed the Paseo Museo tours in 13 museums and galleries. Total donations amounted to Php 253,514.

With the partnership with ILOMOCA and Tagum City, CCP plans to exceed its target audience counts, collaborate with more artists, stagehands, technical crew, and other cultural workers from various places in the country, and create partnerships with more local government units.

Photo ©Athena Fontamillas

“Breaking free from the common notion that CCP is just the building in 2023, we have continuously proved that we can be anywhere. This year, we are reaching farther and wider into different performing spaces, and into the regions. Year 2024 will be the year we, at the CCP, continue to move forward, despite the challenges that will come our way,” said CCP president Michelle Nikki Junia.

Photo ©Athena Fontamillas

Established in 2005, Pasinaya was conceived as a jump start to the National Arts Month celebration; hence it is scheduled every first week of February. Originally, it was created as a preview for the CCP’s artistic programming for the year. But through the years, the festival has grown bigger and become a venue for art appreciation and education, networking, and collaborations.

Follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok for the latest updates.

Pasinaya returns, to be held at CCP Complex outdoor venues

The Cultural Center of the Philippines recently announced the return of Pasinaya, the country's largest multi-arts festival, scheduled this February 3-5, 2023 at various venues at the CCP Complex along Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.

With the theme of Piglas Sining, this year's Pasinaya will break out from the CCP Main Building which is currently under major rehabilitation. The festival, the first to be held on-site since 2019, will take place at the CCP Complex's different outdoor venues such as the CCP Front Lawn, Liwasang Kalikasan, parade ground of Vicente Sotto Street, as well as the newly unboxed Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez and its surroundings.

Admission to the Pasinaya remains the same with just a minimum suggested donation of P50 although a higher price is highly welcomed. With this experience-all-you-can, pay-what-you-can scheme, participants can attend half hour workshops of various art disciplines, watch performances, and or go museum hopping.

The Pasinaya begins on February 3, 2023 with the Pagtitipon, an invitational gathering of the Kaisa sa Sining (KSS) regional partners. There are currently 59 regional partners from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in the KSS network, with three new partners set to join this year.

On February 4-5, 2023 will be the Palihan and Palabas which will be kicked off by a parade and a special program at the CCP Front Lawn. In Palihan, audiences can join the different workshops while in Palabas, they can watch performances by various groups led by the CCP resident companies. There will also be the Paseo Museo where Pasinaya participants can visit partner museums, galleries, and art spaces via the shuttle vans available during the festival.

Detailed schedule of workshops and performances as well as the participating art/performing groups and partner museums/galleries/art spaces will be released at a later date.

Pasinaya 2022 celebrates the spirit of EDSA

The Cultural Center of the Philippines celebrates the 36th Anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution with CCP Pasinaya Open House Festival happening online on February 26-27, 2022.

With the theme Sana All Lumilikha, Lumalaya, this year's Pasinaya will embody the spirit of EDSA and will demonstrate the power of arts in social transformation and empowerment through various activities in the performing arts, literary arts, visual arts, film and broadcast arts. The open house festival will also feature an exhibit, a forum, a digital timeline, and the lighting of the CCP façade.

Pasinaya 2022 will be streamed online at the CCP Facebook page and Vimeo Channel. Highlights will include:

Radyo Malaya: Soundbites of a Revolution by Pumapdocast

A radio drama re-enactment of the events during the EDSA Revolution in 10 bite-size episodes.

EDSA Book Videoke

Animation of the counting book for children entitled EDSA.

Pagsamo: Gabay at Pagbabago

Presented by Kaisa sa Sining - Luzon Network, the performance is a prayer for guidance and change. Pagsamo aims to awaken the minds and hearts of the viewers about the importance of the Malolos Congress, the freedom fought for in 1898 and the lessons from the EDSA People Power.

EDSA Playlist 1: Revolu-Tunes

A medley playlist of 3 songs sung and/or used during the People Power Revolution to be sung by the Akapela Collective (Astrafellas, Calafellas, ConChords, KNKTD, Phisix, Sayil and Vocalmyx).

EDSA Playlist 2: Magi-Sing!

A medley playlist of 3 songs sung and/or used during the People Power Uprising to be sung by Acapellago.

CCP Virtual Building and Theater Tour

An interactive 360 x 180 degrees virtual tour of the CCP facilities allowing for a simulated onsite experience.

Isang Harding Papel

A storytelling session by Kara David as the book talks about a girl and her mother during Martial Law.

Kwentuhang Sining Para sa Pagbabago

A round table live discussion with leaders known and recognized as active agents of social change.

Pangamuyo

A prayer of gratitude and supplication presented by Kaisa sa Sining - Visayas Network as we celebrate culture, environment and society that continue to give meaning in our existence.

Paglaya Yarn?! Freedom and Dissent

A Book Talakayan of F. Sionil Jose's Mass by Pinoy Reads Pinoy Books Book Club headed by Jayson Vega.

Pamahandi Alimaong

A presentation by the Kaisa sa Sining - Mindanao Network about Linganay, a graduating Senior High school student who is forced to return to their forest settlement. He retraces kinship and rediscovers the struggles his community has gone through; nowhere better from the time he left. It is February. The radio blares speeches commemorating the Edsa People Power, an event Linganay barely recalls.

OPM's Not Dead! Ang Panitik sa Musika ng Asian, Banyuhay at Pinoy Punk

A tribute to the songwriters and musicians of Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

Pili-Pino

A dance video collaboration interpreting the song Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo with direction and choreography by Ronelson Yadao.

Panata sa Kalayaan

A dramatic reading of Panata sa Kalayaan by artists Nanding Josef, Shamaine Buencamino, Irma Adlawan, Monique Wilson, Nonie Buencamino, Tibo Fernandez, PETA, Kasing Sining of Bohol, Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company followed by the song interpretation by Sing Philippines Youth Choir conducted by Mark Anthony Carpio.

Kumpeti

To celebrate the CCP Open House Festival, the façade will be bathed with multi-colored confetti silhouettes along with the Pasinaya Logo chasing in different Pasinaya related colors with the use of manually cut gobos on aluminum sheets and woven color filters. This is a collaborative effort of the Production Design and Technical Services Division Façade Lighting Team, Danilo Villanueva, Louie Alcoran, Nestor Noviza, Camille Balistoy, Allan Fami, Shantie De Roca, Mark Macapulay and other Theater Crew members.

Reminisce the EDSA Revolution days through social media by tuning in to various posts such as People Power 1986: Where Were You? Mga Saysay Mula Sa Sining Biswal; Edsa 36: An Intimate Retrospective On The CCP During The People Power Revolution; Banned! Valerio Nofuente Collection - Online Exhibit and the Kalayaan Book Fair.

Here is the complete schedule of Pasinaya 2022.