Pasinaya celebrates Asean

MANILA, Philippines - ASEAN integration will be the theme of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Pasinaya Open House Festival on Feb. 14-15 at various venues at the CCP, Roxas Boulevard, Malate and Intramuros, Manila.

The theme “Pasinaya Grows ASEAN Wings” was adopted in view of the fact that 2015 is the year ASEAN member countries – the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – unite to create the ASEAN Community.

CCP artistic director Chris Millado says: “Pasinaya is celebrating the diversity and variety of ASEAN cultures through the different performing arts. We are welcoming the 1st ASEAN Performance Arts Markets that will bring in delegates from the different ASEAN member states.”

The ASEAN Performing Arts Market offers opportunities for networking, showcasing of performance samplers and business matching of performances within the ASEAN region and with the world. Contemporary, traditional, as well as innovative works by emerging and seasoned ASEAN artists in music, dance and theater will be featured.

Pasinaya has been held yearly for the past ten years. From a one-day event that gives the public a sneak preview of the CCP Performing Season, it has now become a two-day festival with an expanded reach to include venues around the CCP all the way to Intramuros.

According to Millado, Pasinaya effectively transforms that stretch of road from CCP to Intramuros into an art and culture mile and “the most creative place on earth.”

Pasinaya partners – Metropolitan Museum and Museuo Pambata on Roxas Boulevard, National Museum, NCCA, Casa Manila and Bahay Tsinoy in Intramuros – will be open to the public during the Festival. New this year are the Museo Marino, 1335 Mabini Gallery and College of St. Benilde Museum of Contemporary Art and Design.

The Museo Marino on J. Nakpil St., Malate is an interesting and exciting addition to Pasinaya, showcasing the rich seafaring traditions and practices of Filipinos that arose from the archipelagic nature of the Philippines.

This year, Pasinaya will feature some 3,000 artists, including CCP resident companies such as the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Ballet Philippines, Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, Tanghalang Pilipino, Philippine Ballet Theater, Bayanihan Dance Company, Philippine Madrigal Singers, UST Symphony Orchestra, NAMCYA , in more than 100 performances.

Highlights of the Festival include the People’s Gala at 6 p.m. at the CCP Main Theater on Feb. 15, the street parade and street performances on Pedro Bukaneg St. of the CCP Complex. There will be printmaking, guitar, choral and puppetry workshops, story telling sessions and film screenings.

Over the years, Pasinaya has promoted more than 1,000 performing groups. It has also developed audiences from students, youths and families and provided them with an entry level experience to the performing arts.

Millado says that Pasinaya is one way that the CCP carries out its vision (Art matters to the life of every Filipino) and mission of encouraging everyone to participate in art making and appreciation.

Pasinaya offers a “pay what you can, see all you can” scheme. For more information about Pasinaya, call CCP Performing Arts Division at tel. 832-1125 local 1607.