The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) ushers in the Christmas season by illuminating the iconic facade of its Main Building with a striking lubenas parol from Pampanga, paired with a belen (nativity scene) image. Together, they form a luminous centerpiece that reflects the enduring spirit of Christmas for Filipinos.

Titled “Gabay,” the installation also embraces the building’s ongoing renovation, incorporating visible construction elements as an integral part of the design. The facade lighting is on view nightly from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m., from 16 December 2025 to 6 January 2026.

This year’s Christmas lighting draws inspiration from the early Filipino belief that the star-shaped parol serves as a guide for churchgoers on their way to the dawn Masses or Simbang Gabi. In this sense, the illuminated CCP facade becomes both a literal and symbolic beacon of faith.

The light display is directed by CCP trustee and Gawad CCP awardee for lighting design Felix “Monino” Duque, and was conceptualized and designed in collaboration with culture and arts officer and lighting designer Jericho Pagana.

“I wanted to have one clear element, which is the logo of the belen. It serves as the heart of that big parol,” Pagana said. “Lit in warm colors of red and orange, the CCP Main Building lights the way for our churchgoers to the CCP Annex where we hold our Simbang Gabi.”

For Duque, whose intent was to highlight the brutalist architecture of National Artist for architecture Leandro Locsin, the approach to lighting was deliberate and respectful of the structure itself.

“We light the building the way it is now, and not the way we thought it was,” Duque said. “We light it with all the elements of the construction. We do not just use the building as a surface to project on. We highlight the building.”

Despite the temporary closure of the CCP Main Building since January 2023, the institution continues its long-standing tradition of illuminating its iconic facade during special events and occasions. This practice honors its rich architectural and cultural heritage while reinforcing the CCP’s enduring role in Filipino creativity and cultural identity.

“What I want people to see is the CCP from a different point of view, with elements that are not supposed to be there,” Duque added, reflecting on his more than 50 years in lighting design and theater. “I believe that this may never happen again, at least in my lifetime. So it is a special moment when the CCP takes on a different face, a different character. Para sa akin, mahalaga na mailawan ko siya para lumabas ‘yung character na ‘yun (For me, it is important that I am able to light it so that its character can truly come through).”

Binding together the parol, belen, and construction elements are the warm hues of red and orange, inspired by Genesis, the iconic stage tapestry by National Artist for visual arts H. R. Ocampo at the CCP Main Theater. The CCP logo is also incorporated into the installation, positioned prominently over the metals and scaffolding.

“Kahit under renovation pa rin ang CCP, hindi nagkulang ang institution sa pagpapatuloy ng mga projects, productions, at outreach programs (Even while the CCP remains under renovation, the institution has not fallen short in continuing its projects, productions, and outreach programs),” Pagana said. “In essence, the CCP logo continues to shine despite everything. Behind every metal, every scaffold, every debris falling from the CCP Main Building due to renovations, it highlights that we are still here, still standing, and still shining.”

The installation was realized with technical assistance from the CCP tech team, led by technical director Danilo Villanueva and Shantie De Roca, with execution by Lucio Tapiru, Earl Barrera, Mary Grace Budol, Benjamin Lim, Joefel Alas and Jovel Bensurto. The project was supervised by CCP artistic director Dennis Marasigan and Production Design and Technical Services Division head Ricardo Eric Cruz.