Cultural Center of the Philippines
The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is the country's national arts centre on Roxas Boulevard in Pasay, set up in 1966. Its stages host ballet, theatre, orchestra concerts, film festivals and new plays, including work by its resident companies such as the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Ballet Philippines and Tanghalang Pilipino. The Main Building, with the 1,815 seat Main Theater, has been closed for rehabilitation since 2021 and CCP says it will reopen in the first quarter of 2027, so most shows at the complex right now are in the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (Black Box Theater), while some CCP shows run at partner venues.
- Address
- Cultural Center of the Philippines, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, 1003 Metro ManilaPasay
- Size
- Capacity Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater): 1,815 seats over four levels. Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (Black Box): 272 to 320 seats, depending on the stage and seating layout. Smaller rooms: Little Theater 413, Experimental Theater up to 240, Arthouse Cinema 92. / Opened 1969 (source)
- Website
- culturalcenter.gov.ph
Coming up at Cultural Center of the Philippines
Seat plan
CCP does not publish a seat plan image on its website. The Main Theater has four levels, named by CCP as Orchestra, Boxes, Balcony I and Balcony II, but it is closed until the Main Building reopens. The Black Box has variable seating, so the layout changes with each show. Layouts and price zones change by show: the seat map on the event's own ticketing page is the one that counts.
Orchestra (Main Theater)
The ground floor level facing the stage in the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo. Closed for rehabilitation until the Main Building reopens (CCP says first quarter of 2027).
Boxes (Main Theater)
One of the four levels CCP lists for the Main Theater, above the Orchestra.
Balcony I (Main Theater)
The first balcony level, higher and further back from the stage.
Balcony II (Main Theater)
The top balcony level, the highest seats in the Main Theater.
Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (Black Box)
A flexible room for 272 to 320 people with at least four layouts: proscenium or end stage, in the round (arena), thrust, and cabaret with tables and chairs. The layout is set per production, so check the show's own seat map.
Getting there
- The CCP is on Roxas Boulevard in Pasay, facing Manila Bay. Set your ride app to "Cultural Center of the Philippines" or, for current shows, "Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater)", since the Main Building is closed for rehabilitation.
- From Makati, the usual route is west along Gil Puyat Avenue (Buendia) to Roxas Boulevard, then north to the complex. From BGC, most rides go through Makati the same way, or along EDSA to Roxas Boulevard.
- By train, LRT-1 runs along Taft Avenue, east of the complex. Vito Cruz station (Taft Avenue, Malate) and Gil Puyat station (Taft Avenue at Gil Puyat Avenue, Pasay) are the closest. The complex is not next to either station, so take a short taxi or ride-hailing trip west from there.
- Weekday evening traffic on EDSA, Buendia and Roxas Boulevard can be slow. Give yourself plenty of time before a 7:30 PM or 8:00 PM curtain.
Before you go
- Check the venue on your ticket before you leave. While the Main Building is closed, CCP presents some shows at partner venues such as the Metropolitan Theater in Ermita and the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati, not at the complex in Pasay.
- Arrive early. The Black Box is a small room, and it is easier to find your seat before the show starts.
- For the Black Box, look at the seat map for your exact show. The seating is variable and changes by production, so a good row for one show may not be the same for the next.
- CCP lists a 20% discount on Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra tickets for senior citizens, persons with disability (PWD), government and military personnel, and athletes. Ask the box office if a similar discount applies to the show you want.
- For dinner before or after, Makati (San Antonio, Chino Roces and Legazpi Village) is a short ride east along Gil Puyat Avenue.
Eat nearby
Booky
Rabbit Room
Small and hidden, so it rarely feels crowded
- Get in
- ₱₱
Photo: Scott A. Woodward for Celera
Celera
A Michelin star in its first year
- Get in
- ₱₱₱₱
Fat Cat
Fat Cat
Tatler's Bar of the Year 2025 and a 2026 Best 20 bar
- Get in
- ₱₱
Photo: Cattery
Cattery
Live sets most nights with no door charge
- Get in
- ₱₱
Google Maps
FLO All-Day Drinking
Genuinely all day: coffee at eight, a burger at noon, a drink at ten
- Get in
- ₱₱
Questions people ask
What is the capacity of the Cultural Center of the Philippines?
The Main Theater (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo) has 1,815 seats. The Black Box (Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez) holds 272 to 320 people, depending on the layout. The Little Theater holds 413, the Experimental Theater up to 240 and the Arthouse Cinema 92.
Where is the Cultural Center of the Philippines?
On Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, 1003 Metro Manila, facing Manila Bay, inside the CCP Complex.
Is the CCP Main Theater open?
Not yet. Rehabilitation work on the CCP Main Building began in 2021. CCP said in August 2026 that it plans to reopen by the first quarter of 2027, and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra's season finale on 16 April 2027 is set for the Main Theater.
How do I get to the Cultural Center of the Philippines by train?
Take LRT-1 to Vito Cruz or Gil Puyat station on Taft Avenue. The complex is not next to either station, so take a short taxi or ride-hailing trip west to Roxas Boulevard.
Where can I buy tickets for CCP shows?
CCP lists Ticketworld as its ticketing partner. You can also email the CCP box office at salesandpromotions@culturalcenter.gov.ph. Some productions use their own ticket link, so check the show page on culturalcenter.gov.ph.
What is on at the CCP today?
Check our schedule on this page and the CCP events calendar at culturalcenter.gov.ph. Shows run mostly in the Black Box while the Main Building is closed.
Sources
- Address Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City 1003; box office email; business hours 9 AM to 6 PM Tuesday to Saturday; Ticketworld as ticketing partner; eight resident companies: culturalcenter.gov.ph/
- Capacities: Main Theater 1,815 with levels Orchestra, Boxes, Balcony I and II; Black Box 272 to 320; Little Theater 413; Experimental Theater max 240; Arthouse Cinema 92: culturalcenter.gov.ph/venues-and-tours/
- Black Box layouts: proscenium or end stage, in the round or arena, thrust and cabaret; variable seating: culturalcenter.gov.ph/venues-and-tours/tanghalang-ignacio-gimenez-blackbox-theatre/
- CCP created 1966; Main Building (Tanghalang Pambansa) inaugurated 1969: culturalcenter.gov.ph/about/
- Rehabilitation began in 2021; CCP set to reopen by the first quarter of 2027 (press release 4 August 2026): culturalcenter.gov.ph/press-release/ccp-appoints-carlos-quijon-jr-as-chief-curator-ahead-of-its-main-building-reopening/
- PPO 42nd season at Samsung Performing Arts Theater and Metropolitan Theater, finale 16 April 2027 at the rehabilitated Main Theater: culturalcenter.gov.ph/press-release/philippine-philharmonic-orchestra-unveils-its-42nd-concert-season-with-harmonies-across-time-and-borders/
- PPO 20% discount for senior citizens, PWD, government and military personnel, and athletes; 7:30 PM concerts; Ticketworld contact: culturalcenter.gov.ph/event/philippine-philharmonic-orchestra-modulatio-the-ppos-42nd-concert-season/
- Current CCP schedule: Sayaw ng mga Ilaw in the Black Box, 18 Sep to 11 Oct 2026; other CCP shows at partner venues: culturalcenter.gov.ph/wp-json/tribe/events/v1/events
- CCP Complex on Roxas Boulevard facing Manila Bay, between Pasay and Manila: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_Center_of_the_Philippines_Complex
- Vito Cruz station is on LRT-1, Taft Avenue, Malate; CCP Complex is nearby but needs a further trip: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vito_Cruz_station_(LRT)
- Gil Puyat station is on LRT-1 at Taft Avenue and Gil Puyat Avenue, Pasay: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gil_Puyat_station