CCP-produced documentary Backstage Pass Season 3: The Pillars of the House screens for free on October 9

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), through the 37th edition of Gawad Alternatibo, hosts a special screening of BACKSTAGE PASS SEASON 3: The Pillars of the House on October 9, 2025, 2 p.m., at Cinema 2 of Red Carpet Cinema, Shangri-La Plaza in Makati City. 
Backstage Pass Season 3: The Pillars of the House, under the direction of Joseph Mangat, puts the spotlight on a seasoned production manager, a visual arts installation staff, Front-of-House personnel and other support workers. The film offers an intimate glimpse into their commitment to their jobs within the ambit of a production.

As the CCP marked their 55th anniversary milestone with the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining, honoring outstanding Filipino artists and cultural workers in 2024, Mangat’s Backstage Pass Season 3: The Pillars of the House documents the painstaking, yet rewarding, preparations through candid interviews, archival footage, and behind-the-scenes commentary.

In this documentary, Mangat skillfully navigates the delicate balance of guiding the audience and ensuring the seamless flow of the program. The focus falls on the front-of-house team and ushers, alongside CCP’s production manager Dominique G. Torres and Orlando Jarme Jr. from the Visual Arts and Museum Division. Head of the CCP’s Production and Exhibition Department Ariel Yonzon, who began as an usher at the institution, spearheads the film’s narrative set against the backdrop of the CCP’s ongoing rehabilitation.

Coinciding with the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, Backstage Pass Season 3: The Pillars of the House provides a rare peek into the lives of dedicated individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes. This documentary elaborates on the teamwork that quietly shapes CCP’s projects from managing productions to calmly handling last-minute changes while remaining in the background.

Mangat’s Backstage Pass Season 3: The Pillars of the House is beyond a documentation of the magic behind the magic. As it illuminates unsung efforts, it is a poignant reminder of the CCP’s devotion to recognizing and honoring the artistry that goes beyond the corners of the stage.

Backstage Pass Season 3: The Pillars of the House is slated on the closing day of the 37th Gawad Alternatibo, which runs from October 6 to 9, 2025, at the Red Carpet Cinema of Shangri-La Plaza. 

Backstage Pass Season 3: The Pillars of the House perfectly reflects the CCP’s eternal commitment to diverse storytelling. While expanding the country’s cultural heritage, the institution teases a deeper appreciation of what it truly takes to bring art to life through Mangat’s documentary.

Finalists of the 37th Gawad Alternatibo will be screened simultaneously with Cinemalaya 2025 from October 6 to 9 at the Red Cinema Carpet at the Shangri-La Plaza, with all screenings free and open to the public. The awarding ceremony will be on October 10, 2025.

For updates, visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) and Gawad Alternatibo’s website (https://gawadalt.com). You may also follow the official social media accounts of CCP, Cinemalaya, and Gawad Alternatibo across Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more information.