The Cultural Center of the Philippines offers prepaid cards that can be used in paying for tickets to selected shows.

 

Available in P2,500 and P5,000 denominations, the cards allow the users to avail themselves of a 20-percent discount off ticket prices. Cards can be obtained from the CCP Box Office; cash payments only, credit-card payments not accepted.

 

“It’s the perfect gift for any occasion,” says CCP president Raul Sunico. “For graduations, birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or simply give it as a token of love or appreciation. Businesses or organizations can also use it for employee recognition, sales and performance incentives and as corporate gifts.”

 

“For more than 40 years, CCP has received more than 300,000 audiences in 700 performances with more than 10,000 artists,” says CCP artistic director Chris Millado.

 

The CCP has several resident performing-arts companies: Tanghalang Pilipino; Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra; the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (Namcya).

 

Resident dance companies include Ballet Philippines; Philippine Ballet Theater; Bayanihan Dance Company; and Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group.

 

Affiliated school-based groups include University of the Philippines’ Philippine Madrigal Singers and University of Santo Tomas Symphony Orchestra.

 

CCP also has activities related to film, literature and the visual arts.

 

Membership card

 

Individuals can also become patrons of the arts by becoming CCP members for as low as P1,000. This amount entitles the donor to a membership card and access to Members’ Lounges at the lobbies of Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino and Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo.

 

“Members are also informed about shows via e-mail, and they are the first ones informed about or invited to free or special events and promos,” says Millado.

 

For donations P2,000-P4,999, donors receive an additional benefit: 10-percent discount on tickets to CCP-produced and co-produced shows.

 

Higher amounts receive more benefits, which include access to rehearsal sessions; meet-and-greet opportunities with selected artists; and even the donor’s name on a brass plate displayed in the center’s lobby.

 

Filipinos (or anyone) abroad who want to become a member can do so by applying (and conveniently paying online) through the CCP website.

 

CCP provides free delivery of its prepaid cards and membership cards within Metro Manila.

 

Corporate-social-responsibility groups, organizations and companies can opt to become corporate donors, where their donations are tax-deductible.

 

“CCP can issue a certification of your donation. When you file your taxes, you can declare the amount you donated and it will be deducted from the tax that you’re supposed to pay,” says. Sunico.

 

Companies can also join a gift-matching program where they match the amounts donated by their employees.

 

“For example, an employee donates P1,000. His or her employer also donates by matching that amount, for a total of P2,000. This way, the donor increases the value of his or her donation and is recognized by CCP at the total amount. Both employee and employer will be recognized as CCP members,” he says.

 

Funding the future

 

“While we greatly appreciate the funding we receive from the government and the continuous support of our ticket-buying audience, we are still confronted with the growing costs of expenses related to expansion of programs,” says Millado.

 

“Donations are essential to help bring excellence to our productions as well as training programs for children, teachers and underserved communities. CCP has outreach programs including arts-therapy modules in areas of calamity and armed conflict,” he adds.

 

Aside from workshops, lectures and screenings that are open to the public, the CCP’s library is also free-admission. The CCP library has plays, film scripts, musical scores, audio and video recordings of events and performances, phono records, photographs, posters, slides, among other resources.

 

“We encourage everyone to share their passion for the arts and join our efforts to foster national pride, especially in our youth, the citizens of the future,” says Sunico.

 

Volunteering

 

One free way to help CCP is to volunteer for its events throughout the year.

 

“You get the chance to meet prominent artists, leading arts managers and international figures in culture and the arts. You can immerse in the atmosphere of creativity while making new friends and enlarging your network,” says Millado.

 

Volunteers can do tasks, from answering calls at the Box Office to serving as backstage staff for productions, conferences, festivals, outdoor events and many other activities; from handling tours in the center to serving as translators for international guest artists.

 

Upcoming events that will need volunteers this year include Virgin Labfest (July); Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival (July-August); and International Choral Festival (August).

 

For details on CCP’s prepaid cards, contact 8323704. For membership cards, contact 8321125. To volunteer for CCP events, contact [email protected]