CCP Children’s Biennale 2024: Let’s Play! encourages art appreciation, identity exploration

Wander through a whimsical world where creativity meets technology with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Children’s Biennale 2024: Let’s Play!. Through colorful exhibits, interactive workshops, animated film screenings, and live performances, young artists will inspire joy from November 9 to 10, 2024, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati. 

While children are born with boundless curiosity and imagination, it is essential to nurture their innate appreciation for the arts and culture. Children’s Biennale: Let’s Play! invites kids of all ages, their nurturers, and the young at heart to embark on a delightful adventure. 

Offering an enriching experience by building interactive spaces,  the CCP Children’s Biennale: Let’s Play! encourages hands-on participation for children to develop artistic expression. It aims to nurture young children through exposure to diverse Philippine arts and indigenous cultures. 

For this edition of the Children’s Biennale, children can watch the animated film BEFORE BRABANT and a special performance of MGA KUWENTO NI JUAN TAMAD, featuring the Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (ARDP).

Before Brabant is an animated film directed by Alberto “Chino” Rodriguez about young Helyas who searches for his true family amid his tragic destiny. The screening will be enhanced by a captivating live soundtrack by the music of composer Jeffrey Ching to be performed by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) under the baton of Maestro Grzegorz Nowak, featuring tenor Ervin Lumauag, soprano Stefanie Quintin, baritone Byeong-In Park, and acclaimed soprano Andion Fernandez. The screening is made possible by Mrs. Milagros Ong How, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and Morph Animation Inc.

Catch the animated film that will surely resonate deeply with young audiences on November 9 (Saturday), with screenings at 10am and 4pm. 

Specially designed for the Children’s Dance Theater, Mga Kuwento ni Juan Tamad crosses a magical journey with simple life lessons on perseverance. Choreographed by Erl Sorilla under the guidance of National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes and artistic director Ronelson Yadao, the story follows the quest of Juan Tamad, the iconic Philippine character, to find the “Gintong Niyog” and eventually win the hand of his beloved. 

With inspiring music by Toto Sorioso, Mga Kuwento ni Juan Tamad taunts unlimited imagination as its protagonist encounters talking animals from different renowned children’s stories.

Reintroducing the classic Filipino children’s stories Filipinos grew up with, watch Mga Kuwento ni Juan Tamad on November 10 (Sunday), with performances at 10am and 4pm. 

This children’s festival is a multidisciplinary biennale that promises other engaging activities at the Samsung Theater lobby. The pre-show activities are slated on November 9 and 10, from 8am to 11am and 2pm to 5pm.

With a neon-lit arcade theater backdrop, participants can partake in select CCP projects designed for young audiences such as Young at ART, a web series that features conversations between young children and veteran artists, where the older generations share their passion for arts and culture. 

Children can explore the joyous spirit of traditional games intertwined with the dynamism of Philippine indigenous dances in Tara, Laro Ta(y)o. Learn about the Philippine lullabies and hele in Himig Himbing: Mga Heleng Atin. 

As the country’s leading art institution cultivates an inclusive and conducive environment for art appreciation, the CCP Children’s Biennale: Let’s Play! motivates its young audiences to explore their identities. The festival innovates the children’s perspective of Philippine culture through utilizing up-and-coming technology in its artistic presentation. 

The CCP Children’s Biennale: Let’s Play! will follow the Pay-What-You-Can scheme, reminiscent of the CCP Pasinaya: The Open House Festival to make the experience all the more accessible. You may register for the event via: https://bit.ly/4f8YDJJ.

Get the latest updates on CCP Children’s Biennale 2024 on CCP’s website and official social media accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. For more information on CCP's current and future productions, visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph).