Brutalism in CCP

Last Friday, June 8, 2012, I and my three friends met up at Taft Avenue to visit the Cultural Center of the Philippines and make some sketches within the area.  My friends and I rode one of the orange shuttles from Taft Avenue ‘til Roxas Boulevard at around eight o’clock in the morning so that it would not be too sunny and warm yet when we reached CCP.  As I walked up the grand ramp, I had the usual sense of formality I always had whenever I looked at the main theater. I recalled the last time I was in CCP which was just a few months ago when I watched Mamma Mia! since it was another requirement for one of my major subjects last term. I had this reserved feeling that made me stare at the structure for a moment before I started to sketch. The building looked elegant in its own simple way. As I looked around for a good spot to begin sketching, I noticed that the main theater had a rough, geometric appearance.  There was also certain stillness and quietness that lingered around the main theater despite the usual bustle along Roxas Boulevard. I heard more of the chirping of birds and less of the honking of cars as I continued to sketch. While experiencing this sensation of calmness, I was able to sketch in one area without any disruptions. The simplicity of the structure is shown through its walls and flooring which were pebble washed. The contrast in terms of color is distinct since the Brutalist structure is made of a travertine block which is supported by concrete beams that are concave. The roughness of the building is clearly shown through the exterior walls as well as the flooring.           

                                     

        The Cultural Center of the Philippines, also known as the Tanghalang Pambansa, is one of the most iconic structures in the Philippines that exhibits the Brutalist style in architecture. It was commissioned by former President Ferdinand Marcos through Executive Order No. 30 in 1966. It was designed by Leandro V. Locsin who was declared as the National Artist of the Philippines for Architecture by former President Corazon Aquino in 1990. Its purpose is to promote and preserve the culture and artistic representations of Filipinos. It was formally inaugurated on September 8, 1969. Some of the finest artists not only from all over the country, but also the world have presented in the main theater of CCP with much distinctiveness and honor. The CCP consists of four resident dance companies, namely, Ballet Philippines, Philippine Ballet Theatre, the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, and the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company. The resident theater company of CCP is Tanghalang Pilipino. The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the UST Symphony Orchestra, the Philippine Madrigal Singers and the National Music Competitions for Young Artists Foundation are the music companies that reside in CCP. This building has had numerous local and international productions that people have viewed with utter pleasure and satisfaction. It serves as a venue for artistic expression and appreciation of our own culture as Filipinos.