Applications for National Performing Arts Companies open

APPLICATIONS are now open for the selection of National Performing Arts Companies in ballet and contemporary dance, theater, outstanding choral music, and indigenous performing ensembles.

The National Performing Arts Companies Act or NPAC was enacted into law through Republic Act No. 11392 on August 22, 2018. The law was established to provide a framework for the selection of National Performing Arts Companies, designating for the purpose of certain performing arts genres and appropriating funds.

National status is designated for a period of five (5) years to five (5) performing arts companies, each representing one of the following genres: ballet or contemporary dance, theater, orchestra, choral company and indigenous performing ensemble.

The NPACs’ roles and functions include the following:

• Undertake a continuing program of training and education for the professional development of performing artists, teachers, directors, designers, performing arts managers, and other artists particular to its performing arts field.

• Conduct research relative to particular performing arts genre and undertake documentation of its activities and programs for the preservation and dissemination of Filipino masterpieces in the performing arts.

• Organize and present a regular annual season of performances at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and other venues in the country.

• Develop and build a repertoire of original Filipino works that will help define the country’s national cultural identity.

• Maintain and promote a standard of artistic excellence in its field that will help elevate the performing arts in the country.

• Conduct national outreach and exchange program of performances, workshops, and seminars for the development and promotion of the performing arts in the regions.

• Undertake international outreach program as Philippine cultural ambassadors and perform during State functions for visiting dignitaries.

• Conduct continuing audience development program and help promote greater awareness and appreciation of the performing arts among the public.

• Maintain a viable sustainable performing arts organization and help set a standard for effective and efficient performing arts management.

Criteria for selecting the NPACs are as follows:

• It is national in scope, as it tackles and presents the arts, culture, traditions, issues and concerns of the nation, drawing the best talents from all over the country and contributing to the development of a national cultural consciousness.

• It maintains the highest standards of artistic excellence manifested in the quality of its performances, artists, training programs, and other activities.

• It is world-class, having represented the country in numerous touring engagements, festivals, competitions and international events, and having been acclaimed by foreign organizations, audiences, and critics alike.

• It has maintained a professional track record of regular and continuing set of activities in pursuit of its mission.

• It can maintain a viable and sustainable organization to support its programs, and have the capability to match the allocated annual subsidy from the government.

Further, the NPAC must meet the following requirements:

a. It must be financially capable to handle its funds in accordance with existing and relevant government accounting and auditing rules and regulations;

b. It must be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by the time of its application; and,

c. It must be a non-government organization that has been in existence and actively operational for the last five (5) years prior to the application period.

The National Performing Arts Companies will be selected by a 15-member Committee chosen from a panel of experts by the NCCA and CCP.

Upon selection, the NPACs shall be entitled to the following:

• Ten million pesos (PhP10,000,000.00) a year each for the National Ballet/Contemporary Dance Company, the National Theater Company, and the National Orchestra for a period of five (5) years renewable upon evaluation for performance, research, documentation, and commissioned work.

• Five million pesos (PhP5,000,000.00) a year each for the National Choral Company and the National Indigenous Performing Ensemble for a period of five (5) years, renewable upon evaluation for performance, research, documentation, and commissioned work.

• Free and equitable use of government facilities and cultural venues, specifically the CCP venue and other government venues devoted to cultural and artistic performances, based on a stipulated frequency of usage.

• Access to grants for research, documentation, productions, workshops, trainings and audience development programs from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), subject to proper evaluation and availability of funds.

• Intellectual property rights to their work, including music, choreographs, and other artistic creations. Likewise, they shall enjoy the right to public performance fixation. They shall further be entitled to the reproduction, authorization, and distribution of fixations in accordance with intellectual property laws.

Performing arts companies that apply but are not selected may try again in the next five-year period. Funding will be available to three applicant performing arts companies per genre provided they pass the scoring requirements. The three “runner-up” companies will be called National Performing Arts Grantees, or NPAGs.

A maximum of fifteen (15) NPAGs, or three (3) from each of the next most qualified applicants, shall be entitled to a subsidy of one million pesos (PhP1,000,000.00) a year for a period of five (5) years, renewable upon evaluation, for performance, research, documentation, and commissioned work.

Deadline for submission of the application form and complete set of material requirements to the Cultural Center of the Philippines Annex Building at the CCP Complex (across Philippine International Convention Center) is on or before March 15, 2024.

Download the application form here: https://bit.ly/4bfoUEP

For more information visit: https://bit.ly/4bbx2pG

Read the Republic Act No. 11392 and the amended IRR here: https://bit.ly/3SwPJN9

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Iranian Film Festival screens at CCP, UPFI Film Center

In celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Iran and the Philippines, the Cultural Center of the Philippines under its Film, Broadcast and New Media Division, the Cultural Section of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran-Manila, and the UP Film Institute, present the Iranian Film Festival 2024 on February 6-9, 2024 at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater) and UPFI Film Center.

A selection of seven Iranian films will be screened for free starting at the opening on February 6, 2024 at the CCP's Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez. Subsequent screenings on February 7-9, 2024 will be held at the UPFI Film Center.

Here is the film lineup of the Iranian Film Festival 2024.

Bodyguard | Badigard (2016)

Director: Ebrahim Hatamikia

Cast: Parviz Parastui, Merila Zarei, Babak Hamidian, Amir Aghaei

After a man risk his life to protect a politician from terrorists, the bodyguard begins to question his dedication and his job.

Gholamreza Takhti (2019)

Director: Bahram Tavakoli

Cast: Mohsen Takhti, Mahoor Alvand, Behnoosh Tabatabaei, Atila Pesyani

The story of legendary Persian wrestler Gholamreza Takhti from his childhood until adulthood, 'til the blossoming of his career and eventually his demise.

The Other One’s Dad | Pedar-e aan digari (2015)

Director: Yadollah Samadi

Cast: Hosein Yari , Hengameh Ghaziani , Mehdi Yarazizi , Soraya Ghasemi

The story of Shahab, a 6 year old boy who is unable to talk. He, then, becomes a victim of discrimination from his friends, even from his relatives and family, except for his mother who always sees the good in him. Now, he must prove them wrong and standfast.

Romanticism of Emad & Tooba | Romantism-e Emad va Tooba (2021)

Director: Kaveh Sabbaghzade

Cast: Hesam Mahmoudi, Elnaz Habibi, Ali Ansarian, Sania Ramezani

When destiny made Emad and Tooba meet each other for the first time, they knew well love is a skill, not just an enthusiasm, beauty or an itching sensation.

The Survivor | Almoutabaki (1995)

Director: Seifollah Dad

Cast: Salma Al-Masri, Alaa El Din Koksh, Ghassan Massoud, Jamal Suleiman

A story about the family of a Palestinian doctor who lives with his wife and infant son, Farhan, as they face the Zionist Israel occupation in the city of Haifa.

Villa Dwellers | Vilaieha (2017)

Director: Monir Gheidi.

Cast: Tannaz Tabatabaei Parinaz Izadyar, Soraya Ghasemi, Saber Abar, Ali Shadman, Farima Kahnamoei, Anahita Afshar, Mohammad-Ali Shadman, Giti Ghasemi

The story of women and their children who settle in a village complex while their Iranian military leaders and husbands are away. Then the villa driver brings bad news for the dwellers.

Wild Jonquils | Nastaran-Ha-Ye Vahshi (2017)

Director: Rahbar Ghanbari

Cast: Davoud Rezaie, Negi Ghaffari, Pedram Pour Abbasi, Hesam Shojaie, Leila Shabani

From the remote snowy area of Iran, a school teacher must fight for his students and the villagers, when a hotel construction threatens to destroy their only school.

Here is the schedule of screenings.

February 6, 2024 CCP Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez

2:00 PM The Survivor

February 7, 2024 UPFI Film Center

2:00 PM Romanticism of Emad & Tooba

5:00 PM Bodyguard

February 8, 2024 UPFI Film Center

2:00 PM The Other One’s Dad

5:00 PM Villa Dwellers

February 9, 2024 UPFI Film Center

2:00 PM Wild Jonquils

5:00 PM Gholamreza Takhti

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.

With lots of love, pianist Dingdong Fiel holds pre-valentine concert

After taking just a month long break since completing a year long, monthly recital series back in 2023, pianist Dingdong Fiel is back with a pre-valentine concert on February 4, 2024 kicking off the Manila Pianos Artist Series.

Reprinted below is the press release for Dingdong Fiel's alles Liebe.

Manila Pianos Artist Series presents Dingdong Fiel in ALLES LIEBE. A pre-valentine concert featuring the most romantic piano pieces ever written.

The recital will be on Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 6 pm.

Venue is at Manila Pianos showroom, 4/F Ronac Lifestyle Center, Paseo de Magallanes, Makati City.

Ticket price : P 1500.00 (regular), P1000.00 (seniors & students).

To purchase your ticket(s), GCASH payment to 0917-415-8876 Richard S. On the MSG line, type "(name) (# of tickets) - FIEL".

Please send confirmation to either 0917-415-8876 or use the messenger on Manila Pianos Artist Series fb page. Ticket(s) will be ready at the gate on the day of the performance.

Gustav Mahler & Alma Schindler, Johann Sebastian Bach & Anna Magdalena Bach, Johannes Brahms & Clara Schumann are but some of the composers who have had interesting love lives and who have poured out music that express the matters of the heart.

The concert will feature selected piano works by Pachelbel, Respighi, Bruckner, Scarlatti, Mozart, Chopin, Scriabin, Mahler, Franck, Kapustin, Piazolla.

The artist:

DINGDONG FIEL is a concert pianist, composer, musical director/orchestra conductor, and vocalist.

He holds the distinction of performing 12 solo piano concerts last year. A feat never done before on Philippine soil.

He earned his Bachelor of Music Degree from the UST Conservatory of Music and was the recipient of the RECTOR'S AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE having obtained the HIGHEST ACADEMIC AVERAGE of the entire course, as well as the BENAVIDES AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT. He finished his post graduate studies (Weiterbildendes Certificate) at the FRANZ LISZT Hochschule für Musik in Weimar, Germany Solo Piano and Chamber Music under the academy’s rector - Prof. Rolf-Dieter Arens as well as vocal accompaniment with Prof. Karl Peter Kammerlander.

He has garnered a total of 5 first prize wins from various piano competitions. Through sponsors like the Friends of The Philippines Society USA Inc., Deutsche Post, the UST Alumni Organization, Thueringer Aufbau Bank, Sparkasse Thueringen, The New Liszt Foundation, and various Philippine Embassies all over the globe, Dingdong was able to perform in a series of piano concerts around Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the USA - in Spain, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Guam, China, Japan, and Bahrain, among other countries.

Dingdong usually performs his own compositions in his concerts, the most recent was at a tour in Japan where he premiered his Preludes for solo piano- “Nuestro Mundo”. He has also composed music for foreign films that were entries to International Film Festivals - “THE GREEK MIRACLE" (2011), Three Spanish films - "PILAR GUERRA" (2011), “DON JUAN TENORIO” (2015), “LA REVOLTOSA” (2016) and the most recent - “JEAN D’ARC” the french film entry to the 2018 International Silent Film Festival Manila where he composed an hour and thirty-four minutes of music to accompany the famous film classic. This prompted silent film expert and critic - Teddy Co to exclaim that his scoring of the film was “the best version he has seen so far”.

Dingdong also attracted the attention of noted composers who were moved to write music specifically for him. These include music written by composer John Luke Jose for solo piano, a piano composition by Spanish pianist and composer Michael Davidov and "5 Pieces For Dingdong" which was composed specifically for him.

As Musical Director/Orchestra Conductor he was involved in various theater and opera productions such as Repertory Philippines' Manila staging of the musical "NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY", Ryan Cayabyab’s rock opera - "LORENZO”, the Manila run of the famous musical "INTO THE WOODS”, and Menotti’s thriller opera - THE MEDIUM, to name a few, as well as numerous classical, jazz, rock and pop concerts.

Dingdong is the songwriter and lead vocalist of the band - HARI. The band debuted at the biggest Original Pilipino Music gathering of 2018, The OPM pinoy playlist 2018. Their single - “Pa’no Umibig Muli” is already out on all digital platforms (i.e Spotify, Itunes, Amazon, Google music). New songs will be released this year by the band. He is currently the lead vocalist and songwriter of the group BLUE VIOLET BLUE.

In this pandemic, despite the quarantine protocols in place, it was still very eventful for Dingdong’s singing career. Through numerous videos posted on social media pages, people noticed and he was eventually invited by an association of singers based in the US to do an online singing fundraiser entitled- Quaran-Sing. The week after the said concert, a big producer based in New York also booked him an interviewed/live performance singing his original songs at WISH USA 107.5.

As a mentor and collaborative artist, he has worked with hundreds of instrumentalists and singers from all over the world for more than two decades.