As they say, “Life begins at 40”, but for the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) , life does not simply begin…it ‘begins anew’.

This year, the CCP will its 40th anniversary with a year-round celebration that will feature special performances and events clustered around the themes of Excellence of Filipino Artists; Brave New Works:  Original Filipino Creations; and Cultural Empowerment:  Flourishing of the Arts in the Regions.

This 9-month-long celebration will focus on its major achievements throughout its 40-year existence: helping discover, support, train and encourage Filipino artists; spurring the creation of a body of original works that help us Filipinos define ourselves as a people and a nation; seeking to democratize the arts in terms of access to the arts; and being the leading artistic institution in the country in utilizing the power of arts for social transformation.  

The CCP has been the catalyst for the creation of cutting edge works by young artists. 

All these are great reasons for the CCP to celebrate and they will!  (View full schedules HERE. Also in PDF Format, Excel Format)

Events from February to March will focus on the Excellence of Filipino Artists. 

One of the shows that we here at Bakla Ako, May Reklamo? are looking forward to is the re-staging of Tanghalang Pilipino’s Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah (Ze MuZikal) on February 3-8, 10-15.  

ZsaZsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal 2009 Show Dates and Times:

Feb 6, 13 (Fri) 8PM;
Feb 7, 14 (Sat) 3PM & 8PM;
Feb 8, 15 (Sun) 3PM & 8PM;

Mar 6 (Fri) 8PM;
Mar 7 (Sat) 3PM & 8PM;
Mar 8 (Sun) 3PM & 8PM;

To reserve your tickets, you can call Lorelei or Paolo at Tanghalang Pilipino:

832-1125 loc. 1620 to 1621
Direct Line 832-3661

Cultural Empowerment: Flourishing of the Arts in the Regions will be the theme of the CCP Anniversary celebration for the months of April and May. 

For the months of June and July, the theme will be Brave New Works:  Original Filipino Creations.  Some of the events to look forward to areVirgin Labfest 5 (on June 24-July 5), where playwrights collaborate with directors, actors and designers in staging their untried, untested, and unpublished works; and of course the much awaited Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition.  

September, which is the CCP’s founding month, will culminate the 9-month long events and activities centered on the theme of remembrance (of the past 40 years), celebration and eager anticipation of the future. The CCP resident companies, together with a stellar billing of performing arts talents will present a dazzling musical extravaganza in the CCP 40th Anniversary Gala show on September 8. 

The 40th Anniversary Celebration marks the beginning of a new decade for the CCP, during which it will pursue sustainability and self-sufficiency as its main objectives.  This, according to CCP President Nestor O. Jardin, is the reason why the CCP is embarking on a massive complex development plan and program that will create new artistic facilities and utilize the land for eco-tourism and commercial development.  The other thrusts that CCP will be focusing on will be Creative Industry and Transforming Lives, Communities and Places through arts and culture.  The CCP, through its Arts as Creative Industry program, seeks to promote the artistic sector as a vibrant and vital contributor to the national economy.  â€œWe want the arts to focus not only on excellence and ‘art for art’s sake’ but to be a medium for advocacy to help change the lives of Filipinos.” Jardin said.