Kuwentong Peyups
By Atty. Dennis Gorecho

With the popularity of the TV series “Maria Clara at Ibarra”, the grounds of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) during the Pasinaya Open House Festival served as a venue of showcasing Spanish-influenced dances, songs and costumes.

“Pasinaya” means an inauguration or a grand opening of the many arts and cultural presentations offered by CCP.

Since 2004, Pasinaya also aims to provide a platform for artists and cultural groups from different fields such as music, theater, dance, spoken word and visual arts. It seeks to showcase talents while nurturing the broadest public and creating new audiences through interactions and performances.

With the “experience-all-you-can, pay-what-you-can” scheme, the largest multi-arts festival in the country once again filled various  venues of CCP such as the Front Lawn, Liwasang Kalikasan, Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez and its surroundings, and the parade ground of Vicente Sotto
Street.

The theatres inside the CCP were not used due to the closing of the iconic 53-year-old main
building in January for a three-year renovation project.

This year’s theme is “Piglas Sining” which CCP Artistic Director Dennis Marasigan explained: “We are breaking away from the notion that the CCP is just the building. We are emphasizing that CCP can be anywhere.”

Pasinaya returned onsite last February 3 to 5, 2023 after being cancelled as a face-to-face
gathering for three years because of the COVID19  pandemic.

At least 3000 artists participated in the 75 performances of 89 groups from Baguio to Tawi-tawi
with more than 21,000 audience.

I overheard many students that they were amazed by seeing in person the performers in Spanish-influenced costumes primarily due to the TV series “Maria Clara at Ibarra” aired in GMA network.

Directed by Zig Dulay, the series is based on José Rizal’s novels Noli Me Tángere (Touch Me Not,
1887) and El Filibusterismo (The Subversive, 1891).