a posh ccp complex? why not?!

every time i pass by the ccp (cultural center of the philippines) complex along roxas boulevard, i couldn't help but feel sad. sad that apart from staging film festivals, plays, ballets and other performances, hosting art exhibits, the complex has not been fully utilized to its utmost potentials.

sure, some health enthusiasts run, walk, exercise around it, particularly near the gorgeous fountain, and a few people use the grassy area in front of it as a picnic ground especially during the scorching summer. but that's not what i am talking about.

what i mean is, the ccp could house a coffee shop or two (no more starbucks please. we're talking about a filipino owned coffee shop that serves philippine brewed coffee. what about a theme coffee shop featuring philippine plays or films?), a restaurant, a bar, a book store, an museum, an art gallery, among other establishments to lure the crowds not just during theatre season. but all year round -- from january to december. if possible, twenty four hours a day.

surely, there are a lot of filipinos and foreigners (especially tourists) who would love to hang out in the historic complex, built in nineteen sixty six at a cost of around fifty million pesos (i am not sure about this figure, by the way), discover its nooks and crannies, admire its architecture, feel its history, and relive its glorious days while enjoying a cup of cappuccino or a glass of wine.

sadly, the government seems contented in using the complex to stage the annual cinemalaya film festival, the virgin lab fest, ballets, and other theatrical performance. nothing wrong with that. in fact, i'm an avid watcher of cinemalaya, some plays and performances in the complex.

the problem is, apart from watching these shows, there is not much that the complex can offer. there are no coffee shops or restaurants or other interesting places that one can hang out while waiting for a performance to start, or during intermissions. when the theatre goers go hungry, they have to cross the street and walk all the way to harbour square to satisfy their cravings.

it's a pity since there is so much more that the iconic ccp can offer not just to boost its appeal and lure more theatre and art enthusiasts into it, but also to generate additional revenue that will fund its upkeep and help pay for the salaries of its employees.

here is hoping that the government will at least take a second look at the ccp, one of the most beautiful buildings this side of town. and while we are at it, the neighboring complexes such as the picc, folk arts theatre also need attention, proper care and maintenance. sayang naman sila kung pababayaan lang and will go the way of that abandoned building near sofitel hotel.

that's all!

enjoy the rest of the week fairies, bitches, witches, princesses, queens, pa-queens and wannabes.