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The rich and highly seasoned broth of Philippine popular culture has not always transferred into equally striking manifestations among the cultural elite, most of whom are highly Westernised. The generally high level of education among the middle classes means that the arts enjoy a more informed and cosmopolitan public than in many developing nations, especially for dance. The Cultural Center of the Philippines, CCP Building, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City (tel: (02) 832 1125; website: www.culturalcenter.gov.ph), is the temple for many of the high arts. It was a pet project of Imelda Marcos and, in true Pharaonic style, supposedly contains the bodies of workers buried in cement as its builders raced to meet her deadlines. It also is the nearest thing Manila has to a central ticketing agency for most of the arts. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts, 633 General Luna Street, Intramuros (tel: (02) 527 2192; website: www.ncca.gov.ph), is the modern national steering body that promotes Philippines arts and culture. The Manila Bulletin City Guide (website: www.mb.com.ph) and ClickTheCity (website: www.clickthecity.com) are the best sources for listings in Manila. Further listings can be found online at www.manilaguide.com and www.yehey.com. |
Music: The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (tel: (02) 832 1120), resident company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, CCP Building, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City (tel: (02) 832 1125; website: www.culturalcenter.gov.ph), is the chief classical ensemble. The Philippine Chamber Choir has grown to a choral force of considerable stature.
Theatre: Dulaang Talyer (tel: (02) 115 6786; website: www.dulaangtalyer.org) is a top contemporary and avant-garde company, based in Quezon City.
Dance: With dance featuring highly in many of the Philippines' cultural traditions, it is no surprise that ballet and performance arts are one of the major cultural exports. Ballet Philippines (tel: (02) 832 6011; website: www.ballet.com.ph) is the top national troupe for classical and modern repertoire and interpretations of local traditions.
Film: The Philippines has an active film industry, producing mostly predictably sentimental and violent fare. Former president José Estrada started his career as a matinee idol before moving on to the political stage - it is difficult to know whether this says more about Philippine film or Philippine politics.
Cultural Events: National Arts Month, in February, is an important annual arts festival that takes place at various venues in Manila. Around the same time, the Bamboo Organ Festival, at Las Piñas Village, near Manila, takes place in the second week of February every year, bringing the world's foremost organists to this charming small town.
Literary Notes: Manila has found literary favour, as befits a nation whose founding martyr, José Rizal, was a novelist. Rizal's Noli Me Tangere or Touch Me Not (1887) established modern Philippine literature and is a key work in the evolution of the modern national consciousness.