Cebu Cultural Center set to open next month

CEBU, Philippines – The provincial government and the Philippine Exhibit and Themeparks Corp. (PETCO) are set to open the Cebu Cultural Center (CCC) next month, as they envision Cebu to become the “Broadway of the Philippines.”

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia met with Consul Jose Luis Yulo Jr., PETCO chairman, and provincial engineer Eulogio Pelayre last week to discuss preparations which, if finalized, may include the popular play “Les Miserables.”

Yulo said there will be live theatrical performances from abroad for the Cebuanos to enjoy.

“The real objective is to be able to create an awareness and to upgrade the talents within Cebu that we may have Cebuano-organized or produced shows,” Yulo said.

Garcia offered the CCC management to PETCO, which also currently manages the Cebu International Convention Center.

On March 16, a multi-colored logo of the CCC will be unveiled. The logo was designed by Nachi Ugarte, a Cebuano brand designer who lives in Manila but traces his roots to the Aboitiz clan in Cebu.

Ugarte said the concept is based on the CCC’s modern building and Cebu’s cultural side.

“Marrying these two ideas, we have something very formal and sophisticated, more free and fun logo design,” he said.

Garcia said she likes the design because it is “simple yet profound.” 

Meanwhile, Cebu will host an international dance workshop and festival in April.

The fourth Dance Xchange, a project organized by the National Dance Committee of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, aims to showcase the unique dances of each country to facilitate cultural understanding.

Cebu, being the dance capital of the Philippines, according to Dance Xchange director Shirley Halili-Cruz, is the most appropriate place to host such a big event.

The organizers also want to showcase the different festivals of the province, some of which they judged during the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo.

Dance groups from various countries in Asia and Europe, and the United States will take part in the upcoming event, along with the top dance companies in the country.

Garcia has offered to invite Cebu’s sister provinces and cities to join the event.

All forms of dance – from traditional, classical ballet, neo-classical, to contemporary and hip-hop – will be performed in the event, Cruz said. – Freeman News Service