The moment I read an announcement from Carlos Celdran's FB page that he was going to have an Imelda "Barter" Tour of CCP, I immediately cleared my schedule and made sure to be there.
To those of you who are not familiar with Carlos Celdran, he is a Filipino tour guide, cultural activist and performing artist. He has quite a number of followers online and was controversial when he staged a protest against Catholic Church on the issue of reproductive health bill, among others.
This was actually my third tour by him. First was at Intramuros. Second at Silverlens Gallery. Third was this. What's really cool about Carlos was that he does barter tours. Meaning you can give him anything in kind in exchange of the tour. It can be a can of local sardines, pack of noodles, rice, plants, French wine, Italian cheese. Anything you can think of. You see the passion and love to what he does? He is such a gem. Truly, a man who is trying to change the way you look at Manila - one step at a time. As a gift to this one good fellow, I gave him a set of postcards designed by National Artist Bencab.
To those of you who are not familiar with Carlos Celdran, he is a Filipino tour guide, cultural activist and performing artist. He has quite a number of followers online and was controversial when he staged a protest against Catholic Church on the issue of reproductive health bill, among others.
This was actually my third tour by him. First was at Intramuros. Second at Silverlens Gallery. Third was this. What's really cool about Carlos was that he does barter tours. Meaning you can give him anything in kind in exchange of the tour. It can be a can of local sardines, pack of noodles, rice, plants, French wine, Italian cheese. Anything you can think of. You see the passion and love to what he does? He is such a gem. Truly, a man who is trying to change the way you look at Manila - one step at a time. As a gift to this one good fellow, I gave him a set of postcards designed by National Artist Bencab.
Carlos and Madam Imelda
Carlos showing a photo of CCP
The tour started at the iconic Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) designed by National Artist Leandro Locsin. The CCP was Imelda's flagship project to promote culture and arts in the Philippines and to the world. It became the country's PR arm in showcasing the Philippines' best. It was a different time during the Marcoses, the Philppines had to prove to the world that we are a great nation rich in culture and the arts.
As with any government projects during that time, it was flooded with criticisms. How could a country like the Philippines build such a luxurious edifice when most of its people were reeling from poverty? One of the most controversial opponents to the CCP was Benigno Ninoy Aquino.
As with any government projects during that time, it was flooded with criticisms. How could a country like the Philippines build such a luxurious edifice when most of its people were reeling from poverty? One of the most controversial opponents to the CCP was Benigno Ninoy Aquino.
Chandelier made of Philippine capiz. Ceiling made of Romblon marble.
Silangan Hall of CCP facing Manila Bay
After touring CCP, we rode an orange shuttle which was a smaller version of jeepney to tour other buildings at the complex. We passed by Manila Film Center, Philippine Plaza Hotel (now Sofitel), Coconut Palace, Folk Arts Theater and finally the Philippine International Convention Center. Other buildings outside the complex that were built during the time of President Marcos were the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Navy Base, Traders Hotel and Legaspi Towers.
Riding the orange shuttle (jeepney) around CCP Complex.
Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). They now use LED lights.
The Philippine International Convention Center was built in a span of 23 months with Leandro Locsin as architect. Dubbed as Asia's first international convention center, it was officially opened in 1976 in time for the IMF-World Bank Meeting.
The Folk Arts Theater located infront of PICC was built by Architect Leandro Locsin as well in a span of 90 days. It was an engineering wonder to complete such a huge task in a short lead time. The Folk Arts Theater was rushed in time for the 1974 Ms. Universe Beauty Pageant to be held in the same venue.
The whole CCP Complex was heavily criticised during its inception, referring to it as Imeldific, meaning ostentatiously extravagant. But then again, Imelda did not only concentrate in culture and the arts. She also supervised the construction of Heart Center, Lung Center, National Kidney Center, among others. All of these institutions are still being used by Filipinos up to this day.
The Folk Arts Theater located infront of PICC was built by Architect Leandro Locsin as well in a span of 90 days. It was an engineering wonder to complete such a huge task in a short lead time. The Folk Arts Theater was rushed in time for the 1974 Ms. Universe Beauty Pageant to be held in the same venue.
The whole CCP Complex was heavily criticised during its inception, referring to it as Imeldific, meaning ostentatiously extravagant. But then again, Imelda did not only concentrate in culture and the arts. She also supervised the construction of Heart Center, Lung Center, National Kidney Center, among others. All of these institutions are still being used by Filipinos up to this day.
The tour group with Carlos
As with my previous tours with Carlos, it was both enlightening and entertaining. To us younger generation who have only encountered the Marcoses through history books, this tour made me understand the pros and cons of martial law. The pros were centralized leadership in a young nation such as the Philippines, public discipline, peace and security, healthy economy, managed population, etc. The cons were human rights violations, graft and corruption, cronyism, rise of communist rebels, among others.
If Carlos was your History professor in high school or college, you won't dare to be absent! Imelda 101 will be on top of your top elective classes. Carlos really made History interesting by infusing information your typical professor won't usually share. Plus the fact that the CCP is his actual stage. That's what made his tours sought after. Go and join one of his tours.
Kudos to a great man!
If Carlos was your History professor in high school or college, you won't dare to be absent! Imelda 101 will be on top of your top elective classes. Carlos really made History interesting by infusing information your typical professor won't usually share. Plus the fact that the CCP is his actual stage. That's what made his tours sought after. Go and join one of his tours.
Kudos to a great man!
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