From Outreach to Cultural Exchange: Discourse on decentralizing cultural participation in the Philippines

The question of how national cultural institutions can make cultural participation more concrete and less abstract, while also redefining power relations, is a crucial one. The Philippines has a long history of colonization, having been under Spanish rule in the 16th century, then ceded to the United States in 1898, and occupied by the Japanese during World War II in 1942. The country only gained independence in July 1946. This colonial history has left a lasting impact on Filipinos, who have internalized a sense of cultural and ethnic inferiority, leading to social divisions between the central-urban cities, like Metro Manila, and other cities and municipalities in provincial areas. National institutions perpetuate power and authority, while those in the periphery are left feeling marginalized.

This paper examines the issues surrounding the decentralization of cultural participation, looking specifically at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), one of the national cultural institutions. The CCP is changing the narrative and decolonizing the mindset of grassroots cultural communities, highlighting the value of people's art to promote a greater appreciation of local history, culture, and identity. Through this paper, I analyze the different levels of cultural participation and decision-making processes in arts and cultural development, and advocate for the CCP's approach and initiatives, which aim to widen cultural participation and create more inclusive spaces for cultural development.