A found community
of opportunities
From a one-day art event happening inside the CCP Main Building to a two-day festival in different venues across the country, Pasinaya: The CCP Open House has come a long way.
Established in 2005, CCP Pasinaya was conceived as a way to celebrate the National Arts Month held every February, to develop a deeper appreciation of the Philippine arts and culture while engaging them in artmaking.
The first Pasinaya was headlined by its resident companies such as Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the UST Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Philippines, Philippine Ballet Theater, Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company, National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA), Philippine Madrigal Singers, and Tanghalang Pilipino.
The different performing groups would perform in the various venues inside the CCP Main Building. Originally, it was created as a preview for the CCP’s artistic programming for the year.
“It was intended primarily as a promotional and marketing event,” recalled CCP VP-artistic director Dennis Marasigan. He was the department manager for Marketing in 2005 and worked closely with the CCP associate artistic director for Performing Arts Chris Millado, who initiated and curated the first Pasinaya Festival.
In 2006, zoning was introduced. Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo became the venue for the performances of the resident companies, while Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino was designated as the music zone. Tanghalang Huseng Batute was meant for all theater performances, while Bulwagang Francesca Aquino showcased ballet dances. The CCP Ramp hosted folk dances.
Outdoor venues were incorporated in 2007, with performances at the CCP Front Lawn, along Pedro Bukaneg Street, and at the Eskinita (Leandro Locsin Street). CCP has seized the chance to collaborate with more performing groups and artists to join the festival and showcase their arts while developing new audiences who would patronize various CCP productions and shows in the long run.
“Pasinaya has become an opportunity for different kinds of artists to transcend their geographical limitations because they go beyond their communities and present their works to an audience that will not normally see them,” shared Marasigan.
Through the years, the festival has grown bigger and become a venue for art appreciation and education, networking, and collaborations. In its 10th year, in 2014, CCP Pasinaya introduced the Museum Miles.
CCP partnered with the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, National Museum, Bahay Tsinoy, Casa Manila, Museo Pambata, 1335 Mabini, Mabuhay Restop, and Jeepney Tours to do a hop-on,hop-off museum tours for the festival participants.
Three years later, it grew bigger and better. From one day, it became a two-day festival. In 2017, it introduced Palihan, where the audiences can join all the workshops they can, and donate what they can, held on the first day. The second day was all about Palabas, where audiences can watch what they can, and pay what they can.
CCP doesn’t rest on its laurels and turned the multi-arts festival into a three-day event. The first day was still focused on workshops. With more and more regional groups joining the CCP Pasinaya, Day 2 was meant for them. Day 3 was for the resident companies and other professional groups.
“Over the years, it has also become like a magnet not only for groups but also for individual artists to be part of it. It has become like an open invitation and being a part of it means you are a part of a community that has developed over the years,” said Marasigan.
Then, the COVID-19 situation happened and CCP had to cancel Pasinaya in 2020. While the pandemic raged on, CCP found a new way to continue its programming and remain relevant. Pasinaya reinvented itself as Tuloy Po Kayo. For the first time in the festival’s history, it was done on virtual stages.
CCP Pasinaya continued its online presence, following the theme “Sana All Lumilikha, Lumalaya,” in 2022. Celebrating the 36th anniversary of EDSA People Power, Pasinaya 2022 embodies the spirit of EDSA and demonstrates the power of arts in social transformation and empowerment.
Finally, in 2023, CCP Pasinaya returned but faced another challenge. With the CCP Main Building undergoing renovation, the country’s leading arts institution maximized the use of its outdoor venues such as the CCP Front Lawn, Liwasang Kalikhasan, Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez and its surroundings, and the parade ground of Vicente Sotto Street.
Museum Miles became Paseo Museo, with new partner museums and galleries joining. Pagtitipon was introduced, with Kaisa sa Sining Network members gathering at the CCP Blackbox Theater to strengthen their collaborations and linkages.
In its 20th year, CCP Pasinaya has pointed its arrows to the regions, reaching more and more people and artists. It will be held simultaneously across the three main islands of the Philippines – the CCP Complex, Makati, and the various partner museums (Luzon), in ILOMOCA (Visayas) and various places in Tagum City (Mindanao) on Feb. 3 and 4.
Circuit Makati will be joining the CCP Pasinaya this year. There will be performances at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater and Activity Center.
For the next 20 years, Marasigan foretells that CCP Pasinaya will keep on evolving. He looks at the festival as a treasure trove of limitless opportunities and possibilities.
From a teaser festival, CCP Pasinaya has grown into something much more than the organizers have imagined. While it remains true to its spirit, Pasinaya continues to expand its horizons. It just keeps on growing and giving.
Online registration for CCP Pasinaya is now ongoing. For details and updates, follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. With Lia de Jesus