Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas | |
(2019-03-14).jpg) The Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas in 2019 | |
.svg)  Francisco Balagtas Theater Location in the Philippines Show map of Philippines | |
| Former names | Folk Arts Theater(1974 - 2001) |
|---|---|
| Address | Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex,Roxas Boulevard, Malate, Manila Philippines |
| Coordinates | 14°33′24″N120°58′51″E / 14.55667°N 120.98083°E /14.55667; 120.98083 |
| Operator | Cultural Center of the Philippines |
| Type | National |
| Capacity | 8,458 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | July 7, 1974 (1974-07-07) |
| Closed | March 2020[1] |
| Architect | Leandro V. Locsin |
TheTanghalang Francisco Balagtas (English:Francisco Balagtas Theater), formerly known as theFolk Arts Theater, was a theater located in theCultural Center of the Philippines Complex inMalate, Manila. It is a coveredprosceniumamphitheater owned by theCultural Center of the Philippines that was a popular venue for concerts during the 1980s and 1990s.[2][3] The theater, named after Filipino poetFrancisco Balagtas, has aseating capacity of 8,458 in 10 sections and features a broadfascia with a single column-to-column span of 80 meters (260 ft). It is the largest single-span structure in the country, with a 100-by-100-meter (330 ft × 330 ft) roof resting on eight monumental columns.[3] In her book "Cultural Center of the Philippines: Crystal Years," Visitacion de la Torre described it as a sheltered plaza with a roof that "appears to float, creating the impression that the building is a dream on one's tender hands."[3]
TheTanghalan was commissioned by thenFirst LadyImelda Marcos for theMiss Universe 1974 Pageant, which was to be held in the country for the first time. It was designed byLeandro V. Locsin and built in a record 77 days in time for the pageant.[3] It was originally built to seat an audience of 10,000. It was not air-conditioned and was designed to allow a natural breeze to flow through.[3]
The theater was inaugurated on July 7, 1974,[4] with an extravagant cultural showcase dubbed "Kasaysayan ng Lahi", which featured amilitary parade by personnel of theArmed Forces of the Philippines. It hosted the international pageant in the same month whereAmparo Muñoz ofSpain won the title. In 1978, the theater was the venue of the first Philippine Folk Festival, and the first Metropop Song Festival. It was also one of the venues of the Manila International Film Festival, annual Lenten folk presentations,misas de gallo, and anAlamat series depicting Filipino legends or epics through dance and drama.[3]
The theater has hosted many popular musical acts of the mid-1980s to the late 1990s, includingJanet Jackson,Frank Sinatra,Paula Abdul,Puerto Rican groupMenudo, British pop group5ive,Pearl Jam,Mr. Big,James Ingram,Gary Valenciano,Martin Nievera,Kenny Loggins,Christopher Cross, andRegine Velasquez, and magicianDavid Copperfield.[3] The Folk Arts Theater is also used by different religious groups.Day by Day Christian Ministries, a large international religious organization, leased the area from 2005 to 2020. They have dedicated the Theatre asBulwagan ng Panginoón (English:Hall of theLord).[3]
The building also housed the main office of theNational Music Competitions for Young Artists Foundation and the Printmakers Association of the Philippines. The building eventually closed in March 2020 amidst the early days of theCOVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. Even before the pandemic, there were already structural damages around the building and the CCP was undergoing a redevelopment process.
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| Preceded by | Miss Universe venue 1974 | Succeeded by |
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