CCP Critique .

Critique Paper of the Cultural Center of the Philippines ( CCP )

I am Jan Kenneth Santos Sevilla. A student of  De la Salle-College of Saint Benilde. I am taking the course Bachelor of Science in Architecture. In School of Design and Art, as I said earlier of the De la Salle College of Saint benilde. In my course we are required to take design classes wgich includes ADESPRN, also known as Architectural design principles. AESTHETA, also known as Architectural Esthetics. And now I am currently taking my THEDES1, also known as Theory of Design one. In our thedes class we were given an opportunity to critique one of the most known buildings. Not only in manila, but in the Philippines. The Cultural Center of the Philippines or the “Sentrong Pangkultura ng Pilipinas” as define in wikipedia is located in the busy place of Pasay city.It was open to promote and preserve the Filipino arts and culture. It is a place where you can find the true essence of being a true Filipino. It is shows the colorful history of the Philippines in the past years . It makes me proud to be a Filipino in many ways. It is basically the home of Philippine arts and culture. The Cultural Center of the Philippines has different venues for different kinds of event. It has its main building namely the Tanghalang Pambansa. It also has different kinds of theatre known as The Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater). It is equipped to meet the requirements of large theatrical productions such as ballets, operas, symphonic concerts, and other musicals. Next is the Tanghalang Huseng Batute (Studio Theater). It is designed for experimental production and has two levels; the upper level serves as a Gallery, the lower level as a Studio which features a variable stage. Then there is the Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas, , this covered proscenium amphitheater is where popular concerts are usually staged. Then Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas, used as a site of different religious groups. After that there is Tanghalang Manuel Conde (Dream Theater), also known as the Audio Visual Room.  There are many more to mention by the way. As we critique the Cultural Center of the Philippines, We are required to take photographs outside and inside it. To show that we came there to experience to see not only its cultural characteristics but also to appreciate its beautiful architecture. When we got there I was excited because it’s not every day we got to go there. Although We have only been there for like less than an hour because we have to go back to school, because of our next class, I myself was really excited. While were there we saw some people taking some video for some events and they were so good. I they are promoting the cultural week or something like that. The we go to the information area because we do not know if it is fine to take photographs inside. They said that we have to get a permit to freely document the place. They told us where to get the permit which is the second floor of the building. So we got up to the second floor hoping to get a permit. As we enter the Room where we can get the permit we were kind of disappointed because they said that we should have a note regarding of the reason why we came there and it should have a signature. I said to myself that the security there is so tight. This for me is not a bad thing in fact it is a good thing because it shows discipline and everything. So instead of going back to school and having to accomplish nothing, we decided to around some places there. And seeing the building from inside rather than looking it from the outside. I must say that it is a big difference because if you are looking at it from the outside you will just see that it is just a rectangular building and you will suspect that it is very small inside because of the floating effect of it becsause of the fountain before it, which is by the way very beautiful at night because it has a floating effect. It is like magic if you thought of it. It  is very well thought of. Well of course it is made by one of the great Filipino architect but enough of the architect. As I was saying, when you looked at it in different perspective, which is from the inside rather from the outside, you will see that it is like the opposite from the outside because it really look classy and grand not only because it has a grand staircase and you will just feel the filipino air from the inside. When you see it from inside you will see some posters of the plays there which is very filipino and you will just be amazed. It looked so big and very spacious inside it is like you were going to think where can the different theatre be placed in such a small building but I guess it’s the power of architecture. You just got to love it. We took some stolen shots for my critique we were very careful it is very exciting because we were like spies because we do not have the permit to take pictures it is very intense. If I thought of what we did there, taking stolen pictures and stuff, it just makes me laugh. Back to the cultural center of the Philippines, When were roaming around the place personally I was impress because everywhere I look it is like there is a thing or an object that reminds you of being a filipino. It is like a history book because in ways it evokes you the culture of the filipinos not only from the past but as well as the present time. It is a very different world from the outside. Very different world from the busy high-ways of Pasay city. And fortunately when we were about to leave the place because

It is almost time for our class we saw some celebrities which I think just finished rehearsing for a play at the cultural center of the philippines. It is really awesome. When were at the outside I noticed the curved sides from the walls just right down of the rectangular building. It is like waves of water that supports the entire structure. Which really blend to the floating building effect with the help of the fountains and lights in front of it. I saw that effect in the afternoon. It is very beautiful and magical. I really wish I could stay until the open up the lights so I can see the full effect of the fountain. I can just imagine it. The beautiful fountain plus the lighting plus the cultural center of the Philippines equals art. The mere fact that outside looks like a beautiful art piece in a way it kind of tells you to go in it because inside you will see more art just waiting to be appreciated. My idea of the cultural center of the Philippines was totally changed because I thought that if you say CCP the first that pops into my mind is it is a boring place, it is just a museum where all the boring thing is. It is just a waste of time being there and all. But now that I am fully aware of what truly the Cultural center of the Philippines is, It made me realize that the cultural center of the Philippines is more than what I think it is. It is a place where the filipino culture and arts lives and never dies. After making this critique about the cultural center of the Philippines or more commonly known as the CCP in Pasay city. I learned how to appreciate it more. I am proud to be a filipino having this kind of structure built here in the philippines. I know that filipino architects can compete with foreign architects because if one can built this beautiful kind of building then so can others. I think from now on I will try more to visit the cultural center of the philippines more often and if there is a chance watch some plays so that I can say that I am supporting our own culture and arts but I think that its more than that. I will try my best to finished my course and be a licensed architect so that I too can contribute to our nation and I can help our people to realize that Philippines can be as beautiful as other country all what is needed is discipline and patience. I try my best to build new structures promoting filipino culture, filipino art, and filipino nationality in that way we will have not only the cultural center of the philippines to be proud of but more.

Photos: