Phl theater gets funding support from 'Music, Movies, Magic'

"It's always funding," Floirendo remarked during the "Music, Movies, Magic" presscon. Slated on Nov. 22 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati City, the fundraising show is presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) andthe PPOSI.

- By CHARMIE JOY PAGULONG

"In the case of the CCP, our building is not yet finished. It's still under construction and we need more funding to finish it. And so, we need help, of course, from the government and the private sector to finish it," she continued.

"And then also, I speak about other theaters in the country that are funded by LGUs (local government units). They also need more funding to maintain (them) and to have content so that performers can perform in those theaters as well."

Floirendo also stressed the importance of audience education. "Because we're losing the young generation to watch theater. One, because in the past, I remember that the Department of Education (Dep Ed) would send students and pay for their tickets and fill up our theaters. There's so many restrictions now with Dep Ed. So, that doesn't happen anymore.

So, they come on their own, with their parents. But you don't see the masses of students watching the performances," she explained.

"And then also, marketing budgets," she pointed out. "We need to announce what's happening. Many people don't realize there are good shows in Quezon City or in Pasay or in Makati. So, things like that, aside from traffic."