The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) joins this year’s Ortigas Arts Festival with a vibrant showcase of music, visual arts, and cinema, bringing Philippine Arts and culture closer to more Filipinos from July 16 to 31, 2026, at the GH Mall, Greenhills, Ortigas Avenue in San Juan City.
Carrying the theme “Elevate,” this year’s Ortigas Arts Festival broadens the horizon of Filipino artistry as it features Philippine literature, film, theater design, and artistic development. The festival offers free access to diverse artistic experiences for patrons across Metro Manila, keeping true to its advocacy of Art for All.
Free world-class performances, visual arts, and cinema from the CCP
The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s String Quartet opens the Ortigas Arts Festival on July 16 with a special performance. Recognized for its artistic excellence both in the Philippines and abroad, the PPO continues to bring Filipino brilliance to audiences around the world. Last year, the country’s premier orchestra embarked on a landmark concert tour across the United Kingdom, where its performances were warmly received, showcasing the world-class artistry of Filipino musicians on the international stage.
Festivalgoers can also explore two exhibitions drawn from the CCP’s 21st Century Art Museum (21AM) collection, as well as production archival materials during the arts festival. Presented by the CCP Visual Arts and Museum Division, Selections from the 20/30: A Limited Edition Print Portfolio features works from a landmark collection produced in 2021 in celebration of the CCP’s 50th anniversary and its continuing partnership with the Association of Pinoy Printmakers.
Bringing together the works of distinguished printmakers across generations, the portfolio offers a glimpse into the richness of Philippine printmaking traditions. The featured works employ a range of techniques, from relief printing, where ink is transferred from the raised surface of a carved block, to intaglio, in which incised lines etched onto a metal plate produce finely detailed images.
Also included are non-acid intaglio methods, created by manually engraving or scratching directly onto the plate; and serigraphy or screen printing, a process that pushes ink through a fine mesh stencil to produce bold, layered compositions. Together, these prints trace the continuing growth of Philippine contemporary printmaking while highlighting the ingenuity and craftsmanship that have shaped the medium across generations.
Another must-see exhibit is the BADONG: Salvador Bernal Designs the Stage, which revisits the work of National Artist for Theater Design Salvador Bernal through his production designs for Sa Bunganga ng Pating, one of the defining productions in Philippine theater. Featuring a scale model alongside a costume from the production, the exhibit offers a closer look at Bernal’s creative process and his keen eye for visual storytelling. This exhibit is presented by the CCP Production Design and Technical Services Division.
Cinema also takes center stage through the CCP Lakbay Sine, a flagship film program that brings cinematic works in different venues outside the center to expand audiences’ access to quality Filipino films. Since its launch in 2009, CCP Lakbay Sine has brought independent, regional, and award-winning Philippine films beyond traditional cultural venues.
CCP Lakbay Sine presents a curated lineup of acclaimed films from Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival and Gawad Alternatibo Para sa Pelikula at Video at Cinema 4 of Promenade, Greenhills. Spotlighting the breadth of contemporary Philippine cinema, the much-awaited free film screenings feature a specially curated program, including:
- I’m Best Left Inside My Head (Dir. Elian Idioma, 2024);
- Pastil: Parehas Ra Ta’g Kan-onig Ginakaon (Dir. Franky Arrocena, 2025);
- Naganahaw Na Mga Aninipot (Dir. JP Corton, 2025);
- Si Balong at Si Doro (Dir. Jenser Recosana, 2024);
- Hasang (Dir. Daniel de la Cruz, 2025);
- Figat (Tomorrow) (Dir. Handiong Kapuno, 2025);
- All the Time (Dir. Anya and Dominic Zulueta, 2023);
- Ambot Wa Ko Kabalo Unsay I-Title Ani (Untitled) (Dir. Rey Anthony Villaverde, 2023);
- Asan si Lolo Me (Where’s Grandpa Me?) (Dir. Sari Estrada, 2013);
- P (Dir. Rommel Tolentino, 2010);
- Andong (Dir. Rommel Tolentino, 2008);
- Cinemartrys (Dir. Sari Dalena, 2025);
- Alipato at Muog (Dir. JL Burgos, 2024); and
- Child No. 82 Anak ni Boy Kana (Dir. Tim Rone Villanueva, 2025)
Elevating the call to make art more accessible
Through its participation in the Ortigas Arts Festival, the CCP continues to fulfill its mandate to promote and distribute Philippine arts and culture. By bringing performances, art exhibitions, and films to a free and highly accessible community festival, it perfectly amplifies its call to share Philippine arts and culture.
Visit the official CCP social media accounts in Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more information and live updates on the performances, exhibits, and film screening schedules at the Ortigas Arts Festival.
For more information on its events, workshops, and productions, check CCP website (https://culturalcenter.gov.ph).
