The rehabilitation of a cultural treasure and an iconic landmark demands a careful balance between preservation and future-proofing. This is particularly true for the Main Building of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
CCP Vice President for Administration Jose Victor Gaite
The Main Building houses the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater), Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater), Tanghalang Huseng Batute (Studio Theater), and Tanghalang Manuel Conde (Arthouse Cinema). We know that our vision extends beyond mere restoration to thoughtful enhancement.
The acoustic design of the CCP Main Theater served as a benchmark that influenced performance venues throughout Southeast Asia. We are committed to not only reclaiming but elevating this reputation through cutting-edge sound design and refinements that will provide audiences with an unparalleled auditory experience.
The renovated Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) will soon provide audiences with an unparalleled auditory experience. PHOTOS FROM CCP
Simultaneously, we are strategically upgrading our digital infrastructure to support high-definition broadcasting, livestreaming capabilities, and integrated performance technologies that meet contemporary production standards — innovations that have become essential following the remarkable resurgence of interest in theatrical performances from both local and international productions.
Project origins and discoveries
When I stepped in as the Vice President for Administration at the CCP in January 2024, the rehabilitation of the Main Building was already underway. Retrofitting work had begun, and key consultants such as Leandro V. Locsin Partners (LVLP) and project engineers were already onboard. What began as a planned renovation, however, soon revealed itself as something far more complex.
Peeling back the layers of this cultural icon revealed a complex array of interconnected issues. Beneath its dignified exterior lay corroded mass steel decking, cement structures disintegrating into powder, and extensive water infiltration creating hidden damaged pathways throughout the building.
The technical complexities extended well beyond these structural issues. Decades-old mechanical systems — including obsolete HVAC equipment and electrical infrastructure inadequate for contemporary performance demands — required complete replacement rather than simple upgrades.
The specialized acoustic materials that once made CCP theaters regionally renowned had deteriorated, compromising the sound quality that was central to the venue’s identity. Additionally, we faced the delicate challenge of balancing essential technical modernization with strict heritage preservation requirements, including the challenging sourcing of materials matching National Artist Leandro Locsin’s original architectural vision.
Collaborative excellence
These challenges necessitated an extraordinary collaborative ecosystem among institutions and specialists dedicated to Philippine cultural preservation. Our internal team works in concert with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, National Museum of the Philippines and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, creating an alliance of cultural stewards.
This collaborative framework extends to experts addressing specific aspects of rehabilitation. Internationally acclaimed Nagata Acoustics provides critical guidance on preserving and enhancing the building’s renowned sound environment, while dedicated conservators safeguard the priceless artworks and tapestries throughout the facility.
At the center of this collaborative web, our project manager DCI works with LVLP to coordinate the intricate interplay of heritage specialists, acoustic engineers, and mechanical experts. This coordination ensures all efforts align under a unified vision that honors the building’s architectural legacy while embracing modernization.
Organizational transformation
The scope and complexity of this project have catalyzed a profound organizational evolution within the CCP. Where our personnel once excelled at venue operations, we now navigate the unfamiliar territory of comprehensive architectural rehabilitation. This transition demands not merely technical expertise but also institutional agility and adaptability.
The rehabilitation has compelled us to recalibrate budgets, expand specialized personnel requirements, adjust timelines, and redefine deliverables. Our team members have developed new competencies and embraced previously uncharted professional territories. Throughout this transformative process, we remain steadfast in our commitment to both preserving our cultural heritage and embracing innovation, while ensuring that every decision — from budgetary allocations to equipment procurement — adheres rigorously to government procurement protocols, thereby guaranteeing transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility.
Current progress and future timeline
At this stage, we have completed re-cementing the roof deck and are progressing through the project’s mechanical phase. This quarter, we are awarding several major contracts for theater seats, lighting, sound systems, and carpets, which will provide us with a firmer timeline for reopening.
The next few months will focus on critical areas that support the functionality of the main theater and its adjacent spaces, ensuring our lobby and performance areas reflect both Locsin’s original design vision and the capabilities expected of modern performance venues.
We have set an ambitious target to reopen the CCP Main Building by September 2026, with our aim to complete major works by June of that year. This schedule allows time for thorough fine-tuning and final preparations before welcoming the public back to this cultural landmark — the home of world-class Filipino talents.
This rehabilitation represents more than structural repairs and technical upgrades — it embodies our recommitment to the CCP’s fundamental mission.
The renewed space will empower us to fully promote and preserve the best of Filipino arts and culture by embodying the values of katotohanan (truth) through authentic artistic expression, kagandahan (beauty) through restored architectural and acoustic excellence, and kabutihan (goodness) through cultural spaces that serve diverse communities across the Philippines.
Through this meticulous process of renovation and renewal, we are not merely restoring a building but revitalizing a cultural institution prepared to serve future generations of Filipino artists and audiences.
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Jose Victor M. Gaite is the the Cultural Center of the Philippines Vice President for Administration.
