Category: press-release

CCP National Theatre Live examines the performative self through Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest and Shakespeare’s Hamlet

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The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)’s National Theatre Live returns to spark conversations on oneself and society through special screenings of The Importance of Being Earnest and Hamlet this August. 


Presenting a comedic stage of false identities, the filmed stage production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest premieres at Glorietta 4 Cinema 1 on August 26, 2025, at 6p.m. Meanwhile, Shakespeare’s Hamlet will also revisit the disposition of a pretender on the same date and time, at Ayala Malls Vertis North and Ayala Malls Central Bloc Cebu.

The art of Bunburying

Max Webster, the director behind Donmar’s Macbeth and Life of Pi, directs the theater adaptation of the flamboyant reimagining of Wilde’s most celebrated comedy. 

A satire on Victorian social hypocrisy, the play follows the misadventures of two young men who roam the town under false identities. Jack (Hugh Skinner) and Algernon (Ncuti Gatwa) escape their social duties through the art of Bunburying—creating a second persona. The two take on the name “Ernest” in their pursuit of marriage. 
Under Webster’s direction, deception arrives in vibrancy. A society’s obsession with names and the legacies attached to these comes into light through satirical means. Whether the performative man succeeds in achieving his desires or succumbs to what is expected of him is for the screen to tell, but the art of performance already realizes the importance of one’s truth.

This recent staging was performed from November 21 to January 25, 2025, at the Lyttelton Theatre. The three-act play premiered in 1895 and was eventually published as a book in 1899. 

Perception vs. Reality

Portrayed by Hollywood A-lister Benedict Cumberbatch, Hamlet wrestles with what is and what appears to be in his quest for revenge. He feigns madness to discover those who reconstruct their truths to appear as something other than reality. As every individual performs in his eyes, the Prince of Denmark delivers multiple soliloquies, introspecting about lies as tools for sculpting truths. 

HAMLET by Shakespeare, Writer – William Shakespeare, Director – Lyndsey Turner, Set design -Es Devlin, Lighting – Jane Cox, The Barbican, 2015, Credit: Johan Persson/

Directors Lyndsey Turner and Robin Lough ensure that this production of Hamlet conveys the real Shakespearean tragedy, disseminating the cathartic ultimatum: that the fallacies man performs eventually become his truths. 

Anagnorisis and the London Theatre Experience in the Philippines

The CCP National Theatre Live continues to bring renowned productions of classic dramas from the London stages to enrich Filipinos’ love and appreciation of the performing arts. First launched in June 2009, UK’s National Theatre Live is a groundbreaking project to broadcast the best of British theatre live from the London stage to cinemas across the United Kingdom, around the world, and now in the Philippines. Digitally filmed in high-definition quality, NTL films their plays in front of live theater audiences, but optimized for the big screen and made accessible to theater fans across the globe.

Drama is an intimate collaborative form that inspires introspection until anagnorisis, the realization of one’s identity amidst various pressures. The Importance of Being Earnest and Hamlet are two of many fictions that dissolve into facts, underscoring the performative self as a crucial constituent of the real one. 

Regular ticket price is at Php300 in Makati and Cebu, and Php350 in Vertis North, with a special ticket price for students at Php150, upon presentation of a valid ID. Visit the ticket booth or avail now at http://www.sureseats.com. 
To get the latest updates on CCP’s National Theatre Live and other events, follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) for more news.

WORKS OF LOCAL AUTHORS TO BE TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH UNDER THE NATIONAL BOOK DEVELOPMENT BOARD’S TRANSLATION SUBSIDY PROGRAM

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QUEZON CITY, Philippines—THE National Book Development Board (NBDB) announces the 20 grantees selected for its Translation Subsidy Program (TSP)  this year “for local authors who wish to have their works translated into a foreign language.”

Out of 32 proposals submitted to the NBDB, 20 grantees were selected. Among them are mBayuka Tanu! Maguindanaon Bayuk Translation, Transcription, and Annotation Volume 2 by Mansoor Limba, Aswanglaut by Allan N. Derain, Mga Lumadnong Sugilanon nga Mahinuklogon by Karl M. Gaspar, Si Lola Basyang sa Entablado by Christine Bellen-Ang, Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata by National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee,  Samtoy: Mga Kwentong Ilokano (Bagong Edisyon) by Danilo B. Antalan, Noli S. Dumlao, Aileen R. Rambaud, Arnold Pascual, Jose Sherma E. Benosa, N.M.E. Valdez, Ariel Sotelo Tabág, Juan Al. Asuncion, Roy V. Aragon, Daniel L. Nesperos, Joel B. Manuel, Prodie Gar. Padios, Mighty C. Rasing, and Selected Poetry of Gualberto Cea Manlangit by Gualberto Cea Manlangit, to name a few.

The 20 grantees’ works, which were written in Filipino, Ilokano, Maguindanaon, Bikolano, and Bisaya, cover multiple genres such as fiction, poetry, short stories and essays, comics, novel, among others, and will all be translated into English. The amount of the grant ranges from PHP 70,000 to PHP 200,000.

“We want to promote the literary works of Filipino authors through the translation of local books written in Tagalog and other Philippine languages not just into Tagalog or English, but likewise in other languages around the world so they would be known internationally. We believe translation is key to achieve that goal,” explains Ma. Carolina Tapia, NBDB’s Chief of the Creative and Professional Development Division.

Under the selection criteria established by the NBDB, grantees are chosen based on their relevance to the publishing sector and the reading public, significance in promoting knowledge on the diverse culture, events, and topics of the Philippines,  and a production plan or marketing plan that is feasible and effective for local distribution and promotion efforts.

The TSP offers financial support to encourage the translation, publication, and distribution of Philippine books in foreign markets in order to introduce more Filipino stories, voices, and perspectives to readers across the globe.

Being selected as a translation grantee is a pivotal opportunity for Filipino writers. It means they will be provided with formal support for translation, visibility at major international book fairs, and an open door into the global literary marketplace. For local authors, it’s not just funding: it’s launching their work into dialogue with the world.

The program also has a separate edition designed to entice foreign publishers to translate Philippine books into foreign languages, also through a subsidy. It is a vital element of the Philippines as Guest of Honour 2025 (PhlGoH2025) initiative, an interagency collaboration led by the NBDB, together with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda. The event will be held in Frankfurt, Germany on October 15-19, 2025.

Through the years, the NBDB’s Translation Subsidy Program has contributed to increasing the number of translated Philippine titles and opened different opportunities for Filipino authors. As the Philippines prepares to take center stage at “FBM,” the world’s largest book fair, the TSP underscores the country’s commitment to promoting Filipino literature, authorship, and publishing excellence on the global stage.

It also reflects the NBDB’s strong commitment to empowering Filipino authors, fostering cultural exchange, and boosting the global presence of Philippine literature. By supporting the translation of Filipino books into foreign languages, the program brings Filipino voices and stories to a wider international audience—paving the way for richer cross-cultural understanding and meaningful global engagement as the country positions itself to become the content capital of Southeast Asia.

“The NBDB believes that every translated book serves as a bridge between languages, cultures, and more importantly, people. The NBDB’s Translation Subsidy Program is not just about funding the translation of a book. It is a commitment to help fuel a movement that places Filipino stories where they belong: in conversation with the world,” NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade pointed out.

For full details on the Translation Subsidy Program, send a message to grants@books.gov.ph.

ACC PHILIPPINES AND NATIONAL MUSEUM PARTNER FOR “LAYERS AND SHADOWS” BY DEMI PADUA

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The Asian Cultural Council Philippines (ACCP) has partnered with the National Museum to host “Layers and Shadows,” an exhibition showcasing the works of multifaceted artist Demi Padua.

As part of ACCP’s series of special events this year to celebrate its 25th anniversary, this event not only highlights Demi’s exceptional skill but also supports ACCP’s mission to foster cultural exchange and development through the ACC Philippine Fellowship Program.

The donation and assistance from DF Art Agency, Demi Padua, and benefactor The Good Hope Future Foundation will directly support the ACC Philippines Fellowship Program, which aims to advance the careers of Filipino artists, scholars, and cultural practitioners. The program provides opportunities for growth and international collaboration, promoting the country’s rich cultural heritage.

The collaboration between ACC Philippines Foundation and the National Museum along with ACCP supporters in the arts and business sectors underscore the importance of cultural exchange and development in the arts. By supporting Filipino artists and promoting their work on a global stage, ACCP continues to make a positive impact on the country’s cultural landscape.

Demi Padua is a renowned Filipino artist known for his striking portraits and trompe l’oeil technique. His works often feature intricate details and layers, inviting viewers to explore the depths of his art. Padua’s artistic journey has been marked by numerous solo and group exhibitions here and abroad, showcasing his talent and creativity. He has been awarded with the Grand Prize in the 2013 Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Tanaw Art Competition, the AAP, GSIS Museum and the Metrobank awards.

“Layers and Shadows” by Demi Padua will be open to the public from August 13 to 26, 2025, at the Sergio Osmeña Hall, National Museum of Fine Arts.

Wazzup Pilipinas Founder to Represent the Philippines at Prestigious Global Media and Planetary Health Workshop in Malaysia

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PASIG CITY, Philippines — In a defining moment for Filipino media and environmental advocacy, Ross Flores Del Rosario—founder of WazzupPilipinas.com, External Vice President of GPP Kalikasan Muna – Green Party of the Philippines, and Board Trustee of the Bayanihan Para sa Kalikasan Movement, Inc.—has been officially selected to participate in a landmark Capacity Development and Training Workshop Series for Media Professionals on Intergovernmental Processes and Planetary Health to be held this September 3–4, 2025, at Sunway University in Sunway City, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

This prestigious international program, backed by global environmental and media institutions, is designed to sharpen the skills and broaden the perspectives of selected media professionals across the world—arming them with the knowledge, network, and strategic communication tools needed to confront one of the most urgent challenges of our time: planetary health.

A Beacon of Filipino Excellence in the Global Arena

Chosen from a highly competitive pool of applicants, Ross Del Rosario’s inclusion signals more than personal achievement—it marks the arrival of a passionate Filipino voice at the global table. As the tireless force behind Wazzup Pilipinas, an award-winning online platform renowned for championing grassroots movements, civic engagement, and environmental consciousness, Ross has long proven that media can be both disruptive and constructive—an engine for both truth and transformation.

Now, with the full sponsorship of all travel, accommodation, and logistical expenses, he is poised to represent the Philippines in this elite circle of global storytellers and changemakers.

“Being selected for this international workshop is both an honor and a responsibility,” Ross shared. “Our words, our stories, our platforms—they shape perceptions, spark dialogue, and influence policy. I intend to absorb every lesson, challenge every assumption, and bring back not just knowledge—but actionable solutions our country can use.”

A Turning Point for Advocacy Journalism and Environmental Justice

The training program will feature in-depth sessions with global experts on intergovernmental environmental processes, health diplomacy, and the critical interplay between ecological systems and human survival. Participants will engage with pre-training readings, immersive workshops, and peer-to-peer knowledge exchanges that promise not only to educate but to catalyze real-world impact.

As part of the commitment, Ross and his fellow delegates are expected to produce three to five compelling stories throughout the year—each grounded in the planetary health framework but focused on local realities. These stories will form a global patchwork of informed narratives, underscoring how deeply interconnected humanity’s health is with the health of our planet.

Amplifying the Filipino Lens on Climate, Crisis, and Community

With the Philippines repeatedly ranked among the most climate-vulnerable nations, Ross’s participation offers a crucial opportunity to internationalize the Filipino experience. From typhoons and rising seas to food insecurity and biodiversity loss, our country stands at the frontline—and our stories deserve to be heard.

Wazzup Pilipinas, under Ross’s editorial leadership, will continue to bring these narratives to light with renewed fervor. With this global training fueling the platform’s next chapter, expect more incisive investigations, inspiring grassroots features, and hard-hitting opinion pieces connecting planetary health with Filipino resilience and innovation.

Looking Ahead: Global Collaboration, Local Impact

All selected media delegates must confirm their attendance and complete registration formalities by July 31, 2025. As Ross gears up for this life-changing experience, excitement is building—not only within his circles of activism and journalism but across a wider audience that believes in media’s power to challenge the status quo and build a better world.

This is more than an international invitation—it is a call to action. For Filipino media. For Filipino communities. And for a future that prioritizes people and the planet.

Stay tuned as Wazzup Pilipinas provides exclusive coverage from Sunway University and beyond—stories that will not only inform but inspire.