Black Box: What’s inside the newest theater of the CCP complex
A quick tour of the theater, named after its benefactor, Ignacio Gimenez, revealed interiors patterned after conceptually-similar black boxes abroad — barebones yet fully-kitted and customizable stages focusing on the performer-audience connection
The Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez, The Black Box Theater. | PHOTOS COURTESY OF CCP
The Cultural Center of the Philippines complex recently inaugurated its newest venue, the Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez, dubbed the 'Black Box Theater.'
The local performing arts community convened for the event, "Unboxed! The Unboxing of the CCP Black Box Theater," which unveiled the six-years-in-the-making edifice to the general public.
(L-R) Unboxing the new theater with CCP Board of Trustees Chairman Jaime C. Laya, CCP President Margie Moran-Floirendo, benefactor Ignacio B. Gimenez and guest Irene Marcos-Araneta
The program featured the Pitong Alay rites by the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, bearers of living culture and the legacy of artistic traditions. The ritual is said to bring fortification and good luck to the structure.
Applause filled the grounds as the white curtain over the main signage was pulled off by benefactor Ignacio Gimenez and presidential sister Irene Marcos-Araneta, CCP board chairman Dr. Jaime Laya and CCP president Margie Moran-Floirendo.
The Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group performs the Pitong Alay ritual
After a refrain of tributes and performances, Gimenez gave a brief message of giving back to the community, as he himself was an iskolar ng bayan with a passion for the performing arts at the University of the Philippines, under the wing of National Artist for Theater Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero.
