The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is getting a much-needed touch up. After 52 years of hosting some of the country’s most brilliant shows, the storied theater complex is slated to go under renovation until 2025.
“The Filipino audience deserves a national center of culture where they can enjoy the arts in comfortable surroundings redesigned for the times. Our artists need new and better stages and venues to showcase and display their talents and abilities. We need venues that can fit more modern productions, as well as globally-competitive staging facilities and equipment. We need training facilities for our actors, dancers and other performers,” said CCP president Arsenio J. Lizaso.
The facade and interiors aren’t the only priorities for this project. After years of enduring natural calamities such as typhoons and earthquakes, as well as the natural wear and tear of time, the theater requires updates to its electrical and drainage systems.
Another point of consideration for the theater’s renovation are the effects of climate change. Concerns of flooding have prompted the CCP’s administrative team to move its power banks and generator from the basement to a higher level area.
“We move slowly but surely. Every detail is being studied, from the materials down to the work itself. We look for the best possible options. Being by the bay in reclaimed lands needs a thorough consideration,” said CCP administrative manager Teresa Rances.
The renovations are slated to start soon, but the show must go on. The CCP is currently hosting the 17th edition of the Virgin Labfest at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute until June 26. Tanghalang Pilipino, the CCP’s resident actor’s company, has also released the new lineup for its 36th season.
The approximately P950 million renovation will start this year at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater) and the roof deck and fourth floor of the CCP main building. The Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) will likely be the last to be renovated, starting 2024. Other floors and basements will continue to undergo renovation until 2025.