Get ready for an unforgettable evening of dazzling performances and heartfelt tributes as the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) marks its 55th founding anniversary with a spectacular celebration and awards-giving event.
Begin the celebration by exploring the special exhibition “Luminaries and Legacies: Gawad CCP Para sa Sining 2024 & Other CCP Institutional Awards,” featuring the works and life achievements of the 2024 Gawad CCP Awardees. Curated by Esty Bagos, the exhibit opens on September 20, 5:30 p.m. at the 5/F Lobby of the Samsung Performing Arts Theater and will run until September 27.
The gala concert, dubbed “Gabi ng Parangal at Pagdiriwang: Gawad CCP para sa Sining at Ika-55 Taong Anibersaryo,” commences with the awarding ceremonies at 7 p.m. Hosted by award-winning actress Dolly de Leon and National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, the awards night honors dance visionary Generoso “Gener” Caringal, theater icon Lea Salonga, literary great Jose F. Lacaba, film and broadcast arts legend Mario O’Hara, filmmaker Mike de Leon (declined), acclaimed visual artist Julie Lluch, and design genius Gino Gonzales. The award also pays tribute posthumously to Sen. Edgardo J. Angara and Zenaida “Nedy” R. Tantoco with the Tanging Parangal ng CCP.
The Gawad CCP Para sa Sining stands as the highest accolade bestowed by the CCP, honoring artists and cultural leaders across various disciplines for their exceptional contributions to Philippine culture and arts.
The evening promises a dynamic program inspired by the laureates’ achievements featuring some of the country’s top talents: Poppert Bernadas, Katutubong Diva Bayang Barrios and the Naliyagan Band, Ernesto Canoy, David Ezra, Floyd Tena, Shaira Opsimar, Ross Pesigan and Rissey Reyes-Robinson, with the participation of cellist Glenn Aquias, and pianist Benedict Magboo with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Herminigildo Ranera.
The Loboc Children’s Choir, the Ateneo Chamber Singers, CEU Folk Dance Troupe, CCP resident folk dance company Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, and Alice Reyes Dance Philippines will also perform.
Bernadas is a four-chair turner at The Voice Philippines Season 2, joining Team Sarah. He was also part of the longest-running musical in the country, Rak of Aegis where he essayed the role of Kenny. He recently released his latest single Bitaw, a collaboration with Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid.
Barrios won the Metropop Music Festival in 2003 for her song “Malayo Man, Malapit Din” and received the Lorenzo Ruiz Award for Music by the Catholic Mass Media Awards in 1997, where she was personally awarded by the late Cardinal Jaime Sin for her song “Bayang Makulay.”
Canoy, also known as Tempo, a writer and rap artist in the local community, became a finalist in both the CCP Baraptasan and South Mic competitions.
One of the strongest vocalists in the Philippines’ live entertainment industry, Ezra has been recognized with multiple awards for his achievements, including Aliw Awards for Best New Artist, Best Concert Collaboration, and consecutive Best Actor in a Musical Awards in 2017 and 2018.
Multi-talented artist Tena is known for acting in films GomBurZa (2023), 1521: The Quest for Love and Freedom (2023) and Family of Two (A Mother and Son Story, 2023).
Opsimar competed in Little Big Star Davao and The Voice of the Philippines Season 2 under the mentorship of Sarah Geronimo. She is a soprano member of Acapellago, a five-member group that tours globally to showcase Filipino artistry.
Aquias was the principal cellist of UST Symphony Orchestra from 2014-2018, representing the Philippines as a delegate to the Russian-Asean Orchestra (2017), Asian Youth Orchestra (2017), PMF Asian Fellowship program (2018), and the Pundaquit Virtuosi Europe Tour (2019).
A graduate of the Philippine High School for the Arts, Magboo won First Prize in the 2023 NAMCYA Piano Competition and in the Piano Teachers Guild of the Philippines Piano Competition.
One of the Gawad CCP awardees, the Loboc Children’s Choir won first place in the Children’s Choir Category (Regional Competitions) in the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) in 1993, 1995 and 2001. They also won for two consecutive years as the National Champion in choir competitions at the CCP. The children’s choral group won the Gold Medal at the International Folk Song Festival held in Barcelona, Spain in 2003.
The Ateneo Chamber Singers has pursued excellence in choral music and has received accolades around the world, winning first prize at the Tolosa International Competition in Tolosa, Spain in 2006; as Champion of the Musica Sacra Acapella Category at the World Choir Games held in Riga, Latvia in July 2014, among other achievements.
The CEU Folk Dance Troupe has performed on different occasions inside and outside the Centro Escolar University, including the 2003 CEU Grand Alumni Homecoming at the Coconut Palace, the Sari-saring Sayaw, Sama-samang Galaw at the CCP in 2004 and 2005.
Founded by National Artist Alice Reyes, ARDP focuses on dance education, mentoring, and creating new generations of Filipino dancers and choreographers while showcasing the intangible dance heritage that every Filipino can be proud of in inspiring performances and concerts.
Commemorating over five decades of nurturing and showcasing the Philippines vibrant artistic and cultural heritage, the CCP reflects on its enduring commitment to promote creativity, conserve cultural legacy, and inspire new generations of artists and audiences alike. Since its inception in 1969, the CCP has been the cornerstone of the Philippine cultural landscape, serving as a beacon for artistic expression and cultural dialogue that helps in national development.
