“National Artist project was the first successful attempt on the part of the Philippine government to recognize and reward Filipinos who have shown exemplary accomplishment in culture, art and the humanities.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), a project accomplished by former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos.

Plans for the CCP began in 1965 when Mrs. Marcos was campaigning for the presidential bid of her husband, Ferdinand Marcos. She announced that the Philippines needed a national theater.

Upon winning the presidency, President Marcos issued an executive order creating the CCP. That was in 1966. Construction of the CCP was completed in 1969.

In 1968, neophyte senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. denounced the proposed CCP as a waste of public money. Ironically, a memorial service for Ninoy was held at the CCP Main Theater in late 1983.

Other structures were later put up in the vicinity of the CCP during the Marcos administration. The entire area is now called the CCP complex.

These structures include the Folk Arts Theater, which was the venue for the 1974 Miss Universe Pageant; the Philippine International Convention Center, which hosted the fifth United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in June 1979; the Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel, now the Sofitel Philippine Plaza; and the Coconut Palace.

The CCP was built on land reclaimed from Manila Bay, an idea first suggested by Harry Stonehill, the controversial American businessman operating in Manila during President Diosdado Macapagal’s time. Back then, the CCP and the Philippine Coast Guard headquarters and Manila Yacht Club facility were the only structures in that part of Manila Bay.

National Artist Leandro Locsin designed the CCP. He also designed the other structures in the CCP complex.

It has a Main Theater that can match the features and facilities of any international performance venue, and a Little Theater for smaller productions. It has a number of smaller venues for intimate theater, and facilities for exhibitions in the visual arts.

The CCP formally opened its doors on 8 September 1969. Then California governor Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy, both good friends of President and Mrs. Marcos, were the special guests on opening night.

Since then, the CCP became the venue for international traveling performances, ballet troupes, local versions of foreign productions, and full-scale symphony orchestra concerts performed by the CCP Philharmonic Orchestra, which was later renamed the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, and other symphonic groups.

The PPO’s rendition of the Philippine National Anthem is arguably the most captivating and striking performance of the original Lupang Hinirang composed by Julian Felipe.

During the term of President Joseph Estrada, the CCP became the venue for the Manila staging of the Broadway musical “Miss Saigon.”

The establishment of the CCP eventually led to the institution of the National Artist Awards in 1972. Its first ceremony was held at the CCP Main Theater.

Marcos’ National Artist project was the first successful attempt on the part of the Philippine government to recognize and reward Filipinos who have shown exemplary accomplishment in culture, art and the humanities. Unjustly vilified by anti-Marcos groups during the Marcos administration, the National Artist Award is now a much sought-after accolade by Filipino artists.

Through the years, the CCP was expanded from a performance venue to a government complex that hosts world-class performances, and which promotes art and culture in the country.

Undoubtedly, the CCP is synonymous to Mrs. Marcos, the person behind its creation.

On the 40th anniversary of the CCP in 2009, the institution fittingly honored Mrs. Marcos with “Seven Arts, One Imelda,” a stage production featuring renowned Filipino musicians, like Cecile Licad, Coke Bolipata and Joseph Esmilla, and institutional groups like the Philippine Madrigal Singers and the PPO. The event was directed by theater great Alexander Cortez, with Ryan Cayabyab as musical director.

Despite the success and status of the CCP, Mrs. Marcos remains soft-spoken about her brainchild project.

Another Imelda project in the past was the total renovation of the Metropolitan Theater, located at Plaza Lawton in Manila, in 1978. It fell into disrepair during the administration of President Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino.

The Met is currently being renovated anew and expects to open next year. Hopefully, it will retain the features of the original theater, as Mrs. Marcos insisted upon during her time.