CCP Channel Weaves Compelling Stories of Filipino Heritage This May  

Embodying the spirit of interconnectedness this National Heritage Month, the CCP Channel curates a thoughtful selection of digital content that highlights the rich Philippine heritage. Aligned with this year’s theme, “Roots and Horizons: Our Shared Heritage, Our Collective Future,” symbolized by the banig (woven mat), the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ online streaming platform weaves together stories that bridge generations to shape national sensibility. 

This May, the CCP Channel presents select films from the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, entries from Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, Virgin Labfest (VLF) one-act featured plays, and  CCP T(A)YONG Dalawa: Indak sa Saliw ng Pusong Umiibig instructional videos on folk and indigenous dances.  

Dive into VLF, Gawad Alternatibo, and Cinemalaya through the CCP Channel

Catch filmmaker Iar Arondaing’s Musmos na Sumibol sa Gubat ng Digma on the CCP Channel. This Cinemalaya 2018 entry that won Best Sound follows a young Muslim girl caught between tenderness and turmoil amid a clan war. 

Learn about the pa-siyam, a Filipino Catholic mourning tradition observed for nine consecutive days after a person’s death, in Misteryo ng Hapis by filmmaker Mark Sicat dela Cruz. This Cinemalaya 2007 entry centers on a professional gay theater actor who joins his mother in the pa-siyam for the soul of his dead father. His painful past unveils with every mystery of the rosary. 

Unearthed from the Cinemalaya 2007 edition, director Sol Garcia’s Tagapagligtas tells the story of a mother who performs abortions to support her daughter.  Their lives unravel when the daughter becomes pregnant and tries to abort the baby herself.

Putting the spotlight on the tradition of funeral portraits, director John Peter Chua’s No More Crying is about the youngest of a Chinese Filipino family who is tasked with putting together the visual commemoration for his estranged grandmother. He confronts his grief as he sorts through the collection of damaged photos. The short film won third place and Best Cinematography, under the Narrative category, in the 37th Gawad Alternatibo. 

Eunice Sy’s Opportunity, also a finalist at the 37th Gawad Alternatibo for the Animation category, glimpses into the long-standing tradition of sabong (cockfighting). Through animation, the short film follows a chicken named Ben who dreams of becoming a fighter. After facing constant discrimination and mistreatment from his owner, he gets the chance to showcase his talent when the top fighter gets injured.

Folklore takes center stage in Nakakapagpabagabag Kapag Kinakabag Ka by Earl Justin Cruz. The first-place winner in the Experimental category of the 37th Gawad Alternatibo juggles Filipino mythology and political themes, centering on a resting nuno sa punso, or an old, dwarf-like nature spirit. 

Dagiti Nalaga Nga Istoria (Woven Stories) by Melver Ritz L. Gomez documents the Tingguian basket weavers of Uguis, Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte. Highlighting the weaving process, the documentary shares the stories from the indigenous community, while emphasizing the importance of preserving the weaving tradition in a rapidly changing world. The short film was an honorable mention in the 37th Gawad Alternatibo. 

From the 14th edition of VLF comes Labor Room, a one-act play written by Maki dela Rosa and co-directed by José Estrella and Issa Manalo Lopez. It is about three women who cross paths and form a unique friendship in a busy labor room where mothers come and go.

Facets of romantic love through dances 

Committed to the conservation and promotion of traditional and folk dances. The CCP Channel presents select instructional videos on folk and indigenous dances from the CCP T(A)YONG Dalawa project. In 2023, the CCP launched the third batch of instructional videos on courtship, weddings, and romantic dances from different regions in the country.

Each instructional video contains a historical and cultural background of the dance, an introduction to the dance’s indigenous musical accompaniment (including the types of musical instruments used and the basic rhythms), the costumes and props, the peculiar movements of the dance, and a five to seven-minute short film on the dance. 

This May, watch the educational videos on Singkil: Sagip sa Sintang Ibig and Palóbo: Pagsúyo sa Siphayo ng Pobreng Puso.

Singkil: Sagip sa Sintang Ibig is adapted from an episode of the Darangan epic glorifying the Maranao hero, Bantugan. As he pursues a princess, forest spirits challenge him with earthquakes and clashing rocks. The dance, performed by the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company, borrows its name from the bell-anklet worn by the princess.

Performed by Hiyas Kalilayan Cultural Group (HKCG), Palóbo: Pagsúyo sa Siphayo ng Pobreng Puso narrates the love story of Tasiana and Andong. After their fragile relationship struggles, they meet in a baylihan (dance party) where they exchange tokens. Andong wraps his handkerchief around Tasiana’s shoulder. In return, she places a hat on the head of the man she once deemed unworthy of her affection. This subtle wooing symbolizes a new beginning and a step towards the future.

The leading source of world-class stories and performances

Launched in 2025, the CCP Channel continues to explore Filipino arts and culture in its wide array of local productions and creative content. A gateway to Philippine arts and culture, the streaming service keeps true to its commitment to bringing meaningful stories and performances closer to audiences anytime, anywhere.

Subscriptions to the CCP Channel are available for Php 99 monthly or Php 599 annually. For full details, visit culturalcenterph.channel. You can also stay updated on the latest CCP events, workshops, and shows by following its official Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube accounts. For more information on CCP shows, workshops, and events, check https://culturalcenter.gov.ph.