Cultural Center of Cebu inaugurated

CEBU, Philippines - Eighteen years after it was built, the UP Performing Arts Center, now called Cultural Center of Cebu, was finally inaugurated last night.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale led the cutting of ribbon with guests, former first lady and Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos and daughter Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos; University of the Philippines President Fred Pascual and Rep. Rudy Fariñas also of Ilocos Norte.

Other guests included around 80 members of the Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc. who had a lakbay-aral in Cebu and other local officials of Ilocos Norte composed of mayors, vice mayors and barangay captains who were in Cebu to witness the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival of Festivals today at the Cebu International Convention Center.

During the inspection last month, Garcia said that whether it is finished or not, she was determined to open the facility yesterday.

The construction of the said facility and the UP Dormitory started in 1993 during the term of former governor Vicente dela Serna.

Magpale said she was one of the witnesses when the project was started because she has already been serving as Provincial Board Member for three governors.

Garcia said the center will be the only one of its kind in the entire Visayas with a seating capacity of 1,600. It will be venue of different kinds of presentations like stage plays and opera showcasing Cebuano culture and traditions.

She stressed that the center will not compete with the CICC which is also owned by the province but will complement it. 

The CICC is venue of huge assemblies, conventions, exhibits, concerts and even personal functions while the Cultural Center of Cebu will offer a specialized venue for cultural presentations.

In 1993, a memorandum of agreement was entered into by the Province of Cebu and UP but the university eventually decided to give the Province full control.

Garcia said she is not to be blamed for the delay in the renovation of the center as she only took over the project in 2004 when she assumed as governor and decided to pursue the renovation.

Early this year, renovations were made with a budget of P13 million contracted by Pragmatic Construction.

Capitol consultant Architect Tess Javier said that the inherited structure allowed them to remold and dress it up to what is more relevant at this time, and makes it easy to maintain.

Javier described the center as having a “slick and graceful appeal with frontal design, accent of curve lines against a box structure.”

After the blessing led by Msgr. Roberto Alesna, the unveiling of the “Dandelion” followed in front of the center.

The monument resembled a giant dandelion, with a globe as a core and hands as petals.

The monument was donated by world-renowned and multi-awarded Russian artist sculptor, Gregory Pototsky as part of his advocacy.

Honorary Consul of Russia, Armi Lopez-Garcia, also joined the unveiling of the monument. (FREEMAN)