CCP Channel offers stories of devotion, reflection this Holy Week
In keeping with the听spirit of Holy Week,听the听CCP Channel鈥檚 line-up presents stories of moral dilemmas, familial tensions, and life-changing lessons.听
听The CCP Channel offers a curated selection of听Cinemalaya听Philippine Independent Film Festival films, entries from Gawad CCP Para听sa听Alternatibong听Pelikula听at Video, Virgin听Labfest听(VLF) plays, and dance performances from the CCP T(A)YONG Dalawa Project.听
听Leading the听selection听is听Hapagkainan, a one-act play from VLF 2016 written by Rick Patriarca and directed by Chris Martinez. Set around a听seemingly typical听family dinner, the story slowly unfolds into a fierce confrontation as suppressed tensions and hard truths surface. This play captures the complexity of Filipino family dynamics and the pressure of unresolved conflicts with satire and dark humor.听
From听Cinemalaya听2017, Lionel B.听Arondaing鈥檚听Sa听Gabing听Nanahimik听ang听mga听Kuliglig听(Clouds of Plague) presents a compelling moral conflict set on Good Friday. A priest and a young altar server are burdened with a confession that challenges their faith and sense of justice, prompting reflection on the lines between moral duty and religious beliefs.听
听Nenok, a 2015听Cinemalaya听short film by Rommel Tolentino, follows the story of a nine-year-old street kid who finds shelter in the historic听Barasoain听Church. Through his mischievous yet emotional journey, the film explores innocence and survival at the intersection of faith and everyday life.听
听Fresh from the Gawad听Alternatibo听2025 come more selections that deepen this season鈥檚听reflective tone.听听
听Pieta听by Dy Margarette Cerio and听Johnfil听Crisjim听Nu帽ez juxtaposes a mother鈥檚 anxiety with devotion.听Meanwhile, young filmmaker Jillian Santiago tells a quiet and personal story of a young girl searching for a parent who left home in听Farther, Closer,听Farther, which won听third place听in the Animation Category.听
听An honorable mention from the recent 37th听Gawad听Alternatibo, Wika Nadera鈥檚听Tirik听follows a father visiting the former resting place of his son in a cemetery. As he walks through听the space, memories resurface, blending his personal grief with the visible neglect and decay around him. The experimental film becomes a reflection not only on loss, but also on how nostalgia and history intertwine in moments of mourning.听
听Oda Kay Papa听by听Johnsep听Mari Abode offers a profound documentary on illness and the strength of familial love that endures. Told from the perspective of a devoted wife and son, the film follows a family鈥檚 mental and financial struggles as they care for the father, who is bedridden with Parkinson鈥檚 disease.听
听Complementing the film and theater line-up of the CCP Channel are performances from the CCP T(A)YONG Dalawa Project, which offer instructional videos on folk and indigenous dances on love, ritual, and tradition across different regions in the country.听
听Balse听ng听Desposorio: Unang听Hakbang听sa听Walang听Hanggan听presents marriage as both a personal and spiritual journey. The bride and groom are made to understand that forming a family requires believing in what the Lord can do. Performed by听Sining听Bulakenyo, this dance from Bulacan highlights love as a commitment grounded in deep faith.听
听Kasal听Dauinanon:听Ritwal, Rito, Ug听Tradisyon听explores the wedding traditions in Negros Oriental. Through the moving image of his Polaroid, a photographer discovers the magic of the听Dauin听Church. A dance during the reception,听Sulili, follows the rites.听Kasal听Dauinanon听听was spearheaded by PFDS Negros Oriental Chapter and听NORSU, and听brought to life by the听Kahayag听Dance Company.听
听A romantic courtship through dance,听Valse听Zamboange帽a: El听Paranguas听de Amor听uses the art of movement to express affection, effort, and the beginnings of love. A shy boy returns the parasol of a girl. Accidentally, they will be partnered in a dance of听valse听(waltz) where they express their听budding feelings for each other. The WMSU听Jambangan听Dance Troupe interprets this Spanish-influenced social dance from Zamboanga City.听
听A听subscription to the CCP Channel听—听the听monthly subscription听is听P99听and the听annual rate听is听P599听鈥 provides听access听to听a wide range of curated content from the CCP鈥檚 archives and productions, ranging from听Cinemalaya听films to full concert seasons of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.听For more information on the CCP Channel, visit its official website at听.听
