CCP shows the way to urban "greening" on Earth Day

MANILA, Philippines - Artists, cultural workers and environmentalists join hands with millions all over the world to celebrate Earth Day on April 22, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex with the theme “Luntiang Lungsod, Luntiang Sining (Green City, Green Arts).” The sun-up to sundown event starts at 5 a.m. with Reveille Band performance and a bike-a-thon, then ends with a closing show participated in by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Philippine Madrigal Singers, Ony Carcamo, and other artists.

There will also be a Green Gym segment featuring aerobics with Asian traditional movement to be led by Slimmers World. At 7 a.m. a Human Mural forming the logo of Earth Day shall be created on the CCP front lawn. This will be followed by the “Poetry on Water” exhibition by the Dragon Boat Federation of the Philippines at the Harbour Area. The Buganda Drumbeaters visit the Green Stations that feature hands-on demo and lectures on composting, waste segregation, health and wellness tips at the shaded alley between the CCP Main Building and the Production Design Center.

The public can also experience “Slow Food” through cooking demos and featured food items at the different restaurants at Harbour Square Plaza. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources provides seedlings free to the public. Critically-acclaimed Cinemalaya short films with environmental themes will be screened at the CCP Dream Theater.

At the CCP Lobbies, there will be an exhibition on climate change and a creative industry market where one can learn how to create artistic products from recycled material. People are encouraged to wear the funkiest and most creative-looking hats in the hat-and-fan- making competition. At 5:30 p.m., the closing program includes performances by the Philippine Madrigal Singers, ventriloquist Ony Carcamo and his pet Dodo Bird and Gorilla, BP Kids, Bulacan Brass Symphonic Band, GMA 7 Talent BJ Forbes and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) with Maestro Olivier Ochanine.

Earth Day at the CCP is held in cooperation with Haribon Foundation, Wiener Foundation, GMA 7, Net 25, Department of Tourism, Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Tanggol Kalikasan, Dragon Boat Federation of the Philippines and other partner organizations.

For information, call the CCP Earth Day Committee at 832-1125 loc. 1611.