At the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)’s institutional presscon fascinatingly dubbed “Presscon de Avance,” four days before the culminating “miting de avances” of many political parties in the recent elections, music artist Michelle Junia, also known in the entertainment and culture circles as Nikki Junia, excitedly announced the plans of the CCP in the remaining months of 2022.
“Naku, marami kaming inihanda para sa ating mga kababayan sa (Oh! We have lined up many programs for our fellow Filipinos about) arts and culture activities,” quipped Nikki minutes before the start of the events.
“I am supporting all of them,” assured Junia, one of the members of the Board of Trustees of the CCP.
One of the upcoming events in CCP which Nikki is backing up is the animation making contest being introduced and handled by Benjamin Carandang, another member of the CCP Board of Trustees.
According to Benjie, Carandang’s pet name, the animation search aims to discover distinct Filipino gaming apps in the current cyberspace for the delight, art appreciation and enjoyment of all Filipinos including and most especially the social media savvies.
Carandang said that the government is pouring in at least twenty million pesos for the project to enhance the quality and world reach of the Filipino gaming app.
How would the government recoup the million investments in animation work particularly on Filipino arts and traditions?
Carandang reiterated that they are very particular about the marketable creations of the animators so that they can attract many viewers.
Other projects Nikki is supportive of in the Year of the Tiger are the showing Cinemalaya movies in August, the opening of the Black Box Theater which is meant to show outstanding arts and culture shows, the redesigning and opening of the Tanghalang Manuel Conde marquee, the redefining of the Tanghalang Pilipino, CCP Theater Company etc.
“I am really excited about the reactivation of CCP shows when restrictions on the COVID-19 pandemic are eased up,” said Nikki.