The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) ushers in the Christmas season by illuminating the iconic facade of its Main Building with a striking Lubenas parol from Pampanga alongside a belen logo, forming a centerpiece that embodies the enduring spirit of the Christmas season for Filipinos.
Titled “GABAY”, the display also highlights the building’s ongoing construction, making it a major component of the display.
The façade lighting will be on display from 6pm to 5am, from December 16, 2025 to January 6, 2026.
This year’s Christmas facade lighting references the early Filipino belief that a star-shaped lantern (parol) guides churchgoers to the dawn masses (Simbang Gabi).
The light display is directed by CCP Trustee and Gawad CCP Awardee for Lighting Design Felix “Monino” Duque. It was conceptualized and designed in collaboration with culture and arts officer and lighting designer Jericho Pagana.
“I wanted to have one clear element, which is the logo of the belen. It serves as the heart of that big parol,” said Pagana. “Lit in warm colors of red and orange, the CCP Main Building lights the way for our churchgoers to the CCP Annex where we hold our Simbang Gabi.”
For Duque, who wishes to highlight National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin’s brutalist structure, the approach to lighting the building was to light it as a major piece, not as a canvas: “We light the building the way it is now, and not the way we thought it was. We light it with all the elements of the construction. So, we don’t just use the building as a surface to project on – we highlight the building.”
Even with its temporary closure in January 2023, the CCP continues its long-standing tradition of lighting the iconic facade during special events and occasions, honoring its rich heritage while delivering a powerful message about Filipino creativity and cultural identity.
“What I want for people to see is the CCP from a different point of view, with elements that are not supposed to be there. I believe that that may never happen again, at least in my lifetime,” added Duque, whose career in lighting design and theater spans over 50 years. “So, it is a special moment when the CCP takes a different face, a different character. Para sa akin, mahalaga na mailawan ko siya para lumabas ‘yung character na yun.”
Tying the elements of the parol, belen, and construction together are the warm colors of red and orange, inspired by the Genesis artwork by National Artist for Visual Arts HR Ocampo, the iconic stage tapestry of the CCP Main Theater. The CCP logo is also included in the display, placed over the metals and scaffolding.
“Kahit under renovation pa rin ang CCP, hindi nagkulang ang institution sa pagpapatuloy ng mga projects, productions, at outreach programs,” explained Pagana. “In essence, the CCP logo truly continues to shine despite everything. Behind every metal, every scaffold, every debris falling from the CCP main building due to renovations – it highlights that we’re still here, we’re still standing, and we’re still shining.”
The installation comes to life with technical assistance from the CCP Tech Team, composed of technical director Danilo Villanueva, Shantie De Roca, with execution by Lucio Tapiru, Earl Barrera, Mary Grace Budol, Benjamin Lim, Joefel Alas, and Jovel Bensurto, and with supervision from CCP Artistic Director Dennis Marasigan and Production Design and Technical Services Division head Ricardo Eric Cruz.
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