MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Take a trip down memory lane with the CCP Digital Time Capsule, an interactive digital timeline that tells the history of the Cultural Center of the Philippines from its inception in 1965 to its most recent artistic breakthroughs and achievements in the digital age.
A project of the Cultural Research and Development Division, this is the Center’s answer to the ever-changing spirit of the times to continue its mission of bringing artistic excellence to the people and nurturing the public to participate in art-making and appreciation.
Launched last January 28, 2021 via CCP’s official Facebook page, the web-based interactive timeline has three main features – CCP Timeline, Art in the Time of Covid-19, and Featured Memories.
The CCP Timeline maps the history of the CCP as the Philippines’ premier arts institution. It documents how the idea of building a national arts and culture center began.
From the formation of its resident companies, iconic performances and events, the creation and evolution of its flagship programs and festivals, and its most recent milestones, it details its progression to become the leading institution for arts and culture in the Philippines.
The Timeline contains rare archival photos and videos from the vast collection of the CCP from 1965 to 2019.
Aside from the CCP Timeline which is the overarching narrative of this time capsule, it also features a dedicated section called Art in the Time of COVID-19, a sub-timeline born out of the current pandemic situation.
This sub-feature chronicles a crucial period in Philippine and world history, reflects how the pandemic has abruptly affected the art scene in the Philippines, and showcases how artists, art communities, and ordinary citizens cope with the current situation using arts.
Showcasing the artistic and creative activities conducted by the CCP and its artists as well as other individuals and organizations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it aims to record the Philippine artistic landscape during the pandemic. It gives a glimpse of the changes in art practices and reveals new artistic trends that have appeared.
Art in the Times of COVID-19 is a testament to the power of arts in inspiring change, educating the public, and providing healing and respite in these trying times. This section features CCP’s digital approach to 2020, online workshops, COVID-19-themed art forms, virtual exhibits, online concerts, performances, and festivals; webinars and online conversations about the pandemic; and homage to arts and cultural establishments that closed down during the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Featured Memories are curated interviews with cultural administrators, workers, and artists about their experiences in working with the CCP: their beginnings, the challenges they faced, achievements, and fond memories. This section aims to take a closer look at the history of the Center through the eyes of the people who make up and support the institution.
The CCP Time Capsule is made possible through the team efforts of overall editor Elmer Gatchalian, managing editor Jhoanne Kristine Vinuya, project manager Paul Pabustan, researchers Herby Jireh Esmeralda, Phoebe Danielle Pangilinan, Brian Sulicipan, and Isaiah Carlo Cabañero, as well as web developers Paolo Guiller Tunay and Gerard V. Cruz.
Check out the CCP Time Capsule: https://timecapsule.culturalcenter.gov.ph/
Follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and subscribe to CCP YouTube channel.
