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Best of Philippines
Arts l Beauty Pageant l Culture l Games
Culture

Most visitors will find Philippines to be an intriguing and enchanting place. Considering that Philippines has such a colorful history, one can expect to experience a blend of richly unique culture of foreign influences and native elements. Be it museums, dances or beauty pageants, Philippines is one great cultural center that is bound to capture the heart of any visitor.

Cultural Center of the Philippines

The existence of a great cultural background in the Philippines has given many visitors the privilege to peek into and experience the Filipino way of life. Their eagerness to share their culture with the world has led to the birth of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

This cultural center, located on Roxas Boulevard is home to several theaters, a library, a museum, galleries, exhibition rooms and restaurants. Being the pride and joy of Imelda Marcos, the former first lady, the CCP was built based on a vision to promote and boost culture. However, it was unfortunate that past cultural policy has restricted free development of both the performing and visual arts. Nevertheless, at this present day, supporting free expression has become the center's cultural policy. Operating on this policy, it is with hope that the local arts will soon find their way to the world stage.

Museums

With a count of over 15 museums, museum lovers will find Manila a heaven on earth. The different museums around the city showcase different articles that will definitely attract the tourist's attention.

For those who are interested to learn more about the Philippine history, iconographic exhibits or ship models of ancient vessels; they can visit the Ayala Museum of Philippine History and Iconographic Archives on Makati Avenue, Makati. The Lopez Museum, located at Chronicle Building on Meralco Avenue is ideal for those with a penchant for paintings and pottery. Another museum worth visiting is the Philippine Museum of Ethnology at Nayong Pilipino Complex, Pasay. This museum showcases cultural artifacts of the Philippines' major ethnic minority groups.

Apart from Manila, do visit the museums around the islands namely Corregidor, Laoag, Vigan, Bontoc, Baguio, Cebu, Zamboanga and Davao.

Dance and Ballet

Dancing plays a big role in enriching the colorful Filipino culture. The movement of bodies and the tapping of feet accompanied by the rhythm of music have become a way of life for them. Whether it is the cha-cha-cha, disco, modern, folk or classical ballet, the Filipinos simply loved to dance.

The traditional dance of the country is derived from a unique mix of Spanish, Malay and Muslim influences. Tinikling (bamboo or heron dance) and pandanggo sa ilaw ('dance of lights') are among some of the most beautiful Malay dances while singkil (court dance) is the most popular Filipino-Muslim dance. The Spanish dances such as habanera, jota and paypay (the fan dance) can be seen performed in the Philippine variations. Many good old folk dances, especially the national dance named tinikling have become a hit with tourists.

Bayanihan Dance Company excels in cultural dance while the country's leading ballet company is Ballet Philippines based at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

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