Filipino artist Abdulmari “Toym” De Leon-Imao, Jr. creates art installations at CCP Liwasang Kalikasan for mythical creatures like kapre, aswang, and more. Launching with Sinag 2023 to celebrate CCP’s 54th anniversary.
Slated on September 28, 7:00 p.m., at the Front Lawn, Sinag 2023 encapsulates CCP’s activities as an institution, extending its programs, projects, and productions to different venues, cities, and regions in the country in line with the ongoing rehabilitation of its Main Building.
As the sun sets, the iconic façade serves as a canvas for visual illumination, conceptualized by CCP light designers Camille Balistoy, Danilo Villanueva, Louie Alcoran, and Shantie De Roca. The visual spectacle will be complemented by the playful and apocalyptic music by Soundridemusic and Makai-symphony, spliced by Jerry Tria.
A video mapping project caps the light and sound show. Reily Villaruz created the video mapping projection, highlighting the institution’s productions and performances beyond the Main Building in the past nine months. It will also give the audience a glimpse of productions and performances in the coming months and years ahead. The video mapping project is set to the music of Jed Balsamo’s Rurok.
After the light and sound show at the Front Lawn, the audiences will be directed to Liwasang Kalikasan to witness the unveiling of the mythical creature art installations by Imao, dubbed Tanod Lupa, with sound design by TJ Ramos. There will also be performances from Monzter Jam Acoustic band.
Launched on April 20 during CCP’s Earth Day celebration, the Tanod-Lupa art installation by Abdulmari drew from pre-colonial patterns. For the September launch, Imao expanded the installation with three more mythological creatures, bringing them to life through materials like welded steel, ropes, and colorful LED lights.
The installation also incorporated a Sarimanok lantern, revitalized by Kapampangan craftsmen.
CCP aimed to celebrate Philippine folklore and mythological creatures. Rather than portraying them as scary, CCP sought to make them fun and educational, demystifying these creatures in the context of stories about climate change and cultural promotion.
Toym Imao, inspired by his multicultural heritage, inherited his fascination with mythology from his Kapampangan mother and Tausug father, both rich in mythological stories.
Among the creatures, tikbalang is his favorite, fascinated by its dual nature as both a friend and a heroic figure in some stories.
The Sinag light and sound show at CCP Front Lawn is scheduled for September 29 to October 1 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with 30-minute intervals. The Tanod Lupa at Liwasang Kalikasan is open to the public from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.