CCP Pasinaya celebrates 20 years of artistic immersion and expansion

At the heart of the 2026 festival is a philosophical shift in how the public interacts with art. Guided by the theme “Paglikha sa Kinabukasan”, the event underscores the importance of engaging Filipinos—particularly the youth—in shaping the country’s creative landscape.

CCP artistic director and Pasinaya festival director Dennis Marasigan emphasised that the festival seeks to go beyond mere presentation of art. “It aims to foster a culture of active artmaking where Filipinos, especially the youth, are not just spectators but co-creators in our creative landscape,” Marasigan shared. By bringing the festival closer to communities, the CCP hopes to spark curiosity, nurture a new generation of artists and inspire audiences to sustain and elevate Philippine culture.

The festival’s programming is anchored by its two traditional pillars, offering distinct experiences on each day. On February 7, the festival opens with Palihan, a “workshop-all-you-can” experience designed for hands-on art exploration. This component invites participants to dive into a full day of creativity, learning directly from practitioners and immersing themselves in various artistic disciplines.

The energy shifts on February 8 with Palabas, the “watch-all-you-can” segment. This year, the stage will be shared by an impressive roster of 169 participating groups. The lineup includes the National Performing Arts Companies, professional performing arts groups, and individual artists, all coming together to highlight the breadth and diversity of Philippine arts on one stage.

This “workshop-all-you-can, watch-all-you-can, and pay-what-you-can” approach remains the festival’s hallmark, providing audiences with flexible ways to participate, learn, and immerse themselves in the arts regardless of their financial background.

The 2026 edition is notable for its expansive physical footprint. Projected to attract over 50,000 attendees, CCP Pasinaya is spreading its wings to multiple venues to accommodate the growing interest.

In Metro Manila, the festival has secured strategic partnerships to create a sprawling arts network. New venue partners include Rizal Park Luneta, in collaboration with the National Parks Development Committee, and Calle Wright, which joins the museum circuit. These new locations complement the existing lineup, which includes the Circuit Performing Arts Theater, the Aliw Theater at the CCP Complex and the historic Metropolitan Theater, which is used in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Beyond the capital, the festival is deepening its nationwide reach. Longtime regional partners, such as the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Arts in Iloilo City and Tagum City, are returning to join the celebration. Adding to this growing network is a new regional partner venue in Roxas City, Capiz. This expansion is crucial to the CCP’s mission, as it reaffirms a commitment to making the arts accessible to communities across the country and showcasing artists from nearby cities and regions.

Perhaps the most significant addition to the 20th edition is the debut of Paligsahan. This dynamic new component is designed to broaden public participation through a wide range of activities open to everyone.

Recognising the changing landscape of creativity, Paligsahan features competitions that blend traditional engagement with modern trends. The roster includes Paeksena, a cosplay competition; Paramihan, a TikTok video challenge and Sinag ng Pasinaya, a mobile 1v1 fighting game. Visual and cinematic arts are also represented through Pitik-Larawan (a photo contest) and the Vertical Shorts Competition (a short film competition). Additionally, the festival introduces Paseo Museo Paunahan, a stamp rally that encourages active exploration of the partner museums.

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CCP Pasinaya 2026 is designed to support the entire arts ecosystem, from creation and appreciation to commerce and professional development.

For the general public, the festival offers Paseo Museo, a hop-on, hop-off curatorial tour across 17 museums and galleries in Metro Manila. Selected museums will feature special performances and workshops, creating an immersive, interactive experience for visitors. To facilitate this, a free shuttle service, in partnership with the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, makes travel between venues seamless. A new addition to this segment is a walking tour of the CCP Complex led by the Heritage Collective.

On the professional front, the festival hosts Palitan, a dedicated business-to-business platform. This initiative allows professional performing arts groups and artists to foster meaningful connections with Philippine embassies, arts programmers and other key stakeholders. It serves as a vital bridge, giving participants opportunities to present their work, explore collaborations and expand their reach both locally and internationally, thereby strengthening the presence of Philippine arts on the global stage.

Completing the festive atmosphere is Pamilihan, a lively marketplace. Here, festival-goers can explore a diverse mix of food stalls, artisanal treats, and handcrafted goods, supporting local vendors and entrepreneurs while enjoying the event.

As the CCP Pasinaya enters its third decade, it stands as a testament to the enduring power of Filipino creativity. By combining its celebrated “open house” format with new digital competitions, expanded regional venues and professional development platforms, the festival is truly living up to its theme of “creating the future”.

Registration for this milestone event is available online through the official CCP Facebook page. For more details on the new Paligsahan mechanics or other programs, the public is encouraged to follow the CCP on social media or visit their website. Come February 2026, the CCP invites the nation not just to watch, but to create.

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