CCP Complex: CCP, PICC, Coconut Palace, FAT, Star City, Manila Film Center

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is a sprawling complex commissioned by former first lady Imelda Marcos to be the venue of various performing arts and cultural presentations like Ballet Philippines and Miss Universe beauty pageant. There are many buildings and structures of the place. Besides pictures and description a Map of CCP Complex is presented here for your easy reference.

CCP Complex Tour:

The CCP Main building (now called Tanghalang Pambansa)

The Cultural Center of the Philippines main building designed by National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin (who also designed Church of the Holy Sacrifice in UP Diliman and the Istana Nurul Iman, the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei)

PICC Philippine International Convention Center, the country's premiere international conference building and the historic venue of Tutubi's college graduation :P

PICC

FAT Folk Arts Theater (Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas)
Commissioned by First Lady Imelda Marcos in 1974 as the venue for the Miss Universe Pageant.

Harbour Square a restaurant row

Jumbo Kingdom floating restaurant and casino of magnate Stanley Ho of Hong Kong and Macau

Breakwater a romantic place to hang out or watch the sunset

Coconut Palace a house made entirely of coconut ordered constructed by Imeldific Marcos for Pope John Paul II's visit to Manila in 1981 (but the head of the Catholic Church declined the offer). It is now a popular events venue (e.g. weddings, debut parties et al) and home to a museum and a butterfly garden.

Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel (Formerly Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel)

Manila Film Center
the infamous center where bodies of workers who died during construction were never retrieved, and instead buried with concrete, so as not to delay completion of the project on the order of the imeldific one.

It's also the home of the so-called Amazing Philippine Theater (APT) where transexuals, transvestites and transgenders perform every night. (reminds Tutubi of Calypso in Bangkok, Thailand in 2003)

Star City
Dino Island : lifesize dinosaurs come to life
Snow World: experience real snow in tropical Philippines with ice carvings and other freezing temperature. Better bring your own thermal jackets for this one.

Star City Entrance Fee : PhP 60.00
Entrance Fee + 3 Rides : PhP 250.00
Entrance Fee + Ride All You Can : PhP 300.00
Entrance Fee + Ride All You Can + Snow World: PhP 375.00
Entrance Fee + Ride All You Can + Snow World + Dino Island: PhP 475.00

Boom na Boom Amusement Park
Global Gutz Paintball
Sonic Boom RC race track and airsoft field
Boomland Racing Circuit

Wensha Spa
a unique spa and relaxation center where guests are treated to massage and eat all you can buffet food

GSIS
Tutubi, during those times in college, frequents this place to apply and follow up his mother's salary loans. He used to frequently visit the GSIS Museum (where Juan Luna's "Parisian Life" is displayed as well as art pieces from Fernando Amorsolo and other artists)

How to get to CCP Complex:

Commute to CCP complex is fastest via LRT Vito Cruz station (you can take the MRT then transfer to LRT at MRT Taft Avenue station of take LRT 2 and transfer to LRT from LRT 2 Recto station). Walk towards Rizal Memorial Coliseum until you see orange-colored shuttle service plying the CCP-complex route. Alternatively, you may ride jeepneys from Quezon City or Quiapo with signboard Vito Cruz Taft and alight at Taft Avenue corner Pablo Ocampo (You can ride Mabini jeepneys but sometimes it's hard to ride the CCP-bound jeepneys due to no vacant seats)

To give you an idea of landmarks along the route of the CCP shuttle:
Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Century Park Hotel (formerly Sheraton, behind it is Harrison Plaza and SM Harrison), Orchid Garden Suites, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP, nearby is Metropolitan Museum and Central Bank Money Museum), Philippine Navy Headquarters (after crossing Roxas Boulevard), CCP, Harbour Square, Manila Yatch Club, Bay Terminal (Where you take the ferry to Corregidor Island on Sun Cruises), Folk Arts Theater, Jumbo Kingdom, Coconut Palace, Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel, Manila Film Center, CCP Open Field, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS, Museum is also there) and Philippine Senate.

Driving Directions:

From Makati by car or taxi, it's best to just drive towards Roxas Boulevard on Gil Puyat Avenue until you see the complex's south boundary (landmarks: Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC or PhilTrade) and World Trade Center, Boom na Boom Amusement Park and Wensha Spa) cross Macapagal Avenue then turn right when you find KFC and Manila Film Center.

From Quezon City or NLEX, an alternate route is via Radial Road, Delpan then Roxas Boulevard until you get to Pablo Ocampo St (formerly Vito Cruz) where you'll see the CCP building on your right.

For foreigners staying in hotels it's best to use the Manila Hop-on bus service dubbed Wow Manila Sakay Na. You can find information and brochures at your hotel lobbies complete with maps, route, and history every visitor to Manila should at least see and experience.

There are available parking at bay terminal and Star city. No information yet on parking fees.

The CCP complex straddles the boundary of the city of Manila and Pasay City.

UPDATED: November 11, 2008