The French National Order of the Arts and Letters is an award given by the Ministry of Culture to individuals who have been outstanding in their artistic creation or who have contributed to the promotion of culture in France and the world.

In his capacity as CCP President and NCCA Chairman, Nick Lizaso made it a priority to bring culture to the people. In his acceptance speech, Lizaso insisted that since the common Filipino did not go to the CCP to watch concerts and plays, then it was for the CCP to go to them, in parks, open spaces, developing the institution’s outreach program. He also supported the collaboration between French and Filipino artists particularly in theater and music, making available the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra for performances of French répertoire together with guest conductor, Michael Cousteau.

Meanwhile, the Ambassador recognized the dedication of Dr. Cuanang to support the visual arts in the Philippines through the founding of the Pinto Arts Museum. She said that while in France, the government and private Foundations provided funding for culture and the arts, individual initiatives in the Philippines like the Pinto Museum are exemplary. Further, Dr Cuanang opened the doors of « Pinto » for the « Diamond in the Rough » Exhibition that opened the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of French-Philippine Diplomatic Relations. She looks forward to visiting the museum soon.

As the official Visual Display Partner, Epson lends its high brightness projectors to showcase the rich embroidery heritage in the Philippines and to highlight the cultural traditions interwoven with the Filipino people’s stories. Conceptualized by CCP Production Design and Technical Division, this celebration of Christmas and culture is brought to life by Epson’s state-of-the-art technology. Throughout the holiday season, CCP’s main building façade is transformed into a symbolic pina jusi textile with beautiful callado or the intricate embroidery and needlework with Sampaguita detailing. 

“The tone-on-tone design of the CCP holiday decoration provides an understated elegance to the façade during the day, and seamlessly transitions to a dazzling light spectacle at night,” said Ed Bonoan, General Manager of the Epson Philippines Marketing Division. “We at Epson are excited to join in on the Christmas festivities with the CCP. As the official Virtual Display Partner, we are honored to share our visual imaging innovations to light up the CCP facade, spread an appreciation for the beautiful Filipino heritage, and further boost the holiday spirit among audiences.”

Binurda opened its concert and lighting event to the public on December 15, 2022. The façadedecorations will run until January 2023.

Cine Europa is back in Manila this week with special screenings of “Klondike” on 21 and 28 October at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Directed and written by Maryna Er Gorback from Ukraine, “Klondike” tells the story of a family struggle living on eastern Ukraine near the border with Russia at the start of the war in 2014. The film has received multiple international awards, including the Directing Award at the Sundance Film Festival in 2022.
Cine Europa 25 is organized by the EU Delegation to the Philippines, EU Member States’ Embassies, Cultúr Éireann, Irish Film Institute, Goethe-Institut, Instituto Cervantes de Manila and the Philippine-Italian Association, in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, National Parks and Development Committee, the Film Development Council and other local and commercial partners. 30 films are showcased in Cine Europa in its Silver edition, both onsite and online.
“With the inclusion of a Ukrainian movie in Cine Europa, we want to express our solidarity with Ukraine and its people, whose lives are being shattered by Russia’s military aggression”, Chargé d’affaires a.i. Ana Sánchez Ruiz said.
Other films especially curated for families will also be shown at the CCP from 21 to 28 October 2022. The outdoor public screenings will be held at the CCP Front Lawn while an extended screening indoors will be conducted at the CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde.

Schedule of films at the CCP:
October 21 – Tanghalang Manuel Conde (6:00 pm, 8:30 pm)
Klondike (Ukraine)
The Most Beautiful Boy in the World (Sweden)

October 22 – Front Lawn (3:30 pm, 6:00 pm, 8:30 pm)
Luzzu (Malta)
Mysi Patri Do Nebe [Even Mice Belong in Heaven] (Czech Republic, France Slovakia, Poland)
Oskar & Lilli – Ein Bisschen Bleiben Wir Noch Oskar & Lilli – Where No One Knows Us
October 23 – Front Lawn (3:30 pm, 6:00 pm, 8:30 pm)
La Vita Facile Easy Living
Libertad Freedom
Bicycle Thieves: Pumped Up (Ireland)
October 25 – Tanghalang Manuel Conde (6:00 pm, 8:30 pm)
Marina (Belgium)
Tytöt Tytöt Tytöt Girl Picture
October 26 – Tanghalang Manuel Conde (6:00 pm, 8:30 pm)
Never Gonna Snow Again (Poland)
Exil Exile
October 27 – Tanghalang Manuel Conde (6:00 pm, 8:30 pm)
Mysi Patri Do Nebe [Even Mice Belong in Heaven] (Czech Republic, France Slovakia, Poland)
Klondike (Ukraine)
October 28 – Tanghalang Manuel Conde (6:00 pm, 8:30 pm)
The Most Beautiful Boy in the World (Sweden)

All film screenings are FREE to the public on a first-come, first-served basis, with observance of Health Protocols.
For more information about Cine Europa and online screenings, please visit the Cine Europa webpage at www.cineeuropaph.com, or follow socials of the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines @EUDelegationToThePhilippines/ @cineeuropaph and the Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram of the Cultural Center of the Philippines @culturalcenterph/ @ccpfbnm.

The International Day of the Children is traditionally celebrated in the Czech Republic every first of June. This 2019, in observance of this celebration, Czech Embassy in Manila in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines will bring a sweet treat to children by screening a charming film titled “Angel of the Lord” (Andĕl Pánĕ, 2015) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

A story of love, forgiveness, and the ability to help others selflessly, the film revolves around the adventure of a misbehaving angel, Petronel, who was exiled to winter Earth in order to make at least one sinner better. Yet the task is not easy when Uriah, the devil, is around and Petronel, himself, is scatterbrained. Filled with saints, miracles, angelic jokes, and devious pranks, the movie is meant to bring a heartwarming lesson to children and to young at hearts.

Played by a prominent Czech actor and writer, Ivan Trojan, the film is accompanied by music dedicated to articulate its story. The comedic presentation of this fantasy movie brings a rollercoaster of emotions filled with awe and inspiration as one draws from each of the scenario the values instituted by the movie.

The Czech Movie for Kids in Manila is conducted under the umbrella of Viva Europa, a festival of music and dance held through a series of joint and individual activities of the EU delegation and various EU embassies and cultural institutions aimed to celebrate the friendship of the European Union and the Philippines.

The Czech Embassy in Manila and the Cultural Center of the Philippines cordially invite kids and their parents or guardians to celebrate this day. It will be screened on 1 June 2019, 2:00 PM at the Tanghalang Manuel Conde (Dream Theater), Cultural Center of the Philippines. Registration starts at 1:00 PM. Seating is on a first-come, first serve basis.