Republic of the Philippines

Don Honorio Ventura State University - Candaba Campus

Pasig, Candaba Pampanga, 2013
DCC@dhvsu.edu.ph
_____________________________________________________________________________________

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ARCHITECTURE

Midterm Requirement in
Building Utilities 3 – Acoustics and Lighting Systems
Second Semester AY 2023 – 2024

ACOUSTICAL ANALYSIS

Prepared by:

Borres, Roselle F.
BSAR- 3A

Submitted to:

Ar. AYESHA AMIE G. DE LEON, uap, afa

Subject Instructor
 Republic of the Philippines
Don Honorio Ventura State University - Candaba Campus
Pasig, Candaba Pampanga, 2013
DCC@dhvsu.edu.ph
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Project Title:
Acoustic Analysis of Iconic Entertainment Venues in the Philippines

Venue: Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater

Historical Context:
The Theater of Performing Arts, originally known as the Tanghalang Pambansa (English: National Theater),
is a theater situated in Manila, Philippines' Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex Tanghalang Pilipino
envisions raising Philippine theatre to heights of professional and artistic excellence, dedicated to
developing and training actors, playwrights and designers with special emphasis in the production of
original Filipino plays.. The main theater is the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo.

It houses the main offices and is the centerpiece of the Philippine Cultural Center. Leandro Locsin, a
national artist for architecture, drew inspiration for his design from the unbuilt Philippine-American
Friendship Center and built upon it. The Tanghalan is a prime example of the architect's distinctive floating
volume design, which is present in Philippine native buildings like nipa huts. Three performance spaces, a
movie theater, galleries, a museum, the center's library, and archives are all housed there. Given that it is
the creation of a National Artist, the brutalist architecture qualifies should be recognized as a significant
cultural landmark by Republic Act No. 10066. In 1966, work on the project commenced, with the Filipino
company DM Consunji serving as the builder and Alfredo Juinio as the structural engineer. When it was
finished and opened in 1969, it was known as the Theater of Performing Arts. It underwent its first
significant restoration in 2005 for the Inter-Parliamentary Union's 112th General Assembly, which was held
in Manila. The renovation included new carpets, a new air conditioning system, and the cleaning and
replacement of the marble trim.
The Cultural Center of the Philippines was created in 1966 with the purpose of promoting and preserving
the best of Filipino arts and culture. Since then, the CCP has sought to embody the values of katotohanan
(truth), kagandahan (beauty) and kabutihan (goodness). The CCP has been at the forefront of culture and
the arts for over 50 years and continues to work with the government, business, academe, and international
community for a thriving local creative industry that respects tradition, spurs innovation, increases social
awareness, and enriches the Philippine brand and economy.
The best artists from all over the country and around the world have enthralled Filipinos onsite (at the CCP
venues), offsite (at regional venues) and online.
Performing companies representing dance, music and theater reside within the CCP. It has four resident
dance companies: Ballet Philippines, Philippine Ballet Theatre, the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group and
the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company. Tanghalang Pilipino is the CCP’s resident theater
company while music is represented by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the UST Symphony
Orchestra, the Philippine Madrigal Singers and the National Music Competitions for Young Artists
Foundation (NAMCYA).
 Republic of the Philippines
Don Honorio Ventura State University - Candaba Campus
Pasig, Candaba Pampanga, 2013
DCC@dhvsu.edu.ph
_____________________________________________________________________________________

The CCP also covers the film and broadcast arts, as well as the literary and visual arts, encouraging the
growth of aspiring artists in these fields through numerous workshops, seminars, anthologies, exhibits,
symposia as well as competitions and awards. In line with its mission to support creative entrepreneurship,
the CCP created the Virgin Labfest for untried, untested, and unstaged plays and is a leading force behind
The Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. Its Arts Education Program nurtures the next generation of
artists and the audiences who will support their work through training, exposure and audience development
activities. The Cultural Content Program develops engaging content for digital formats and new
technologies.
Through its Cultural Exchange Program, the CCP supports the growth and development of arts councils all
over the country through relevant workshops and seminars. Through exchange programs with these
organizations and with other institutions, Filipinos have been able to glimpse the beauty of different cultures
from various countries, witnessing many a triumphant performance from highly-acclaimed artists all over
the world.
The CCP continues to emphasize the Filipino pagmamalasakit (compassion) in its programs that highlight
the virtues of galing, galang and dangal (excellence, respect and integrity), reaffirming its commitment to
the growth and development of the Filipino nation and its arts and culture.

Architectural features:

The main feature of the Tanghalang Pambansa façade is a two-story travertine block that is supported on
three sides by deep concave cantilevers, giving it a height of 12 meters (39 feet). Crushed seashells that
were originally discovered on the reclamation site were used to texture the concrete that covered the rest of
the building.[3][4] The building is situated on a large platform, and entry is via a car ramp in front of the
raised lobby and a pedestrian side door on its northwest side. There is an octagonal reflecting pool with
fountains and underwater lights in front of the façade and beneath the ramp.

The largest performance space within the Tanghalang Pambansa is the Main Theater, also known as the
Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo. With the orchestra, boxes, and two balconies spread across four floors, it
can hold up to 1,815 people. The stage is located 38.8 meters (127 feet) from the left wall to the right and
25 meters (82 feet) from the main curtain line to the back wall. The proscenium entrance is 18 meters (59
feet) wide and 9 meters (30 feet) high. Two elevators in an orchestra pit that is 5.6 meters (18 feet 4
inches) deep may hold up to 62 musicians. The main stage curtain is modeled after the picture Genesis,
while the stage floor is composed of a type of Philippine Mahogany that was unwaxed and painted matte-
black (originally not stained). This features contribute to the Elimination of ambient noise, symmetrical
audience placement around the stage, geometric relationships between the theater's many sections,
augmentation of direct sound through positive sound reflections, and suppression of delayed sound
reflections or reverberation are all examples of effective theater design.
 Republic of the Philippines
Don Honorio Ventura State University - Candaba Campus
Pasig, Candaba Pampanga, 2013
DCC@dhvsu.edu.ph
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Material Analysis:
A creation by Hernando Ocampo, a national artist. A variable acoustics designed by Bolt, Beranek, and
Newman, The main theater was planned for flexibility. It can usually hold opera and orchestra
performances without the need for additional amplification because it was designed to accommodate the
sound requirements of different kinds of presentations. In his review of the center's opening night, New
York Times critic Howard Taubman praised the theater's acoustical flexibility, noting that the architect and
his team appeared to have created a space "that will be equally congenial for drama, instrumental and
vocal music and dance."
Acoustical shells are easily assembled for orchestral and choral performances. A split floor orchestra lift
forms an integral part of the apron when it is raised to stage level. A brilliant tapestry curtain patterned after
the “Genesis” painting of National Artist Hernando R. Ocampo, is among the highlights of the venue. The
stage floor is made of Philippine Mahogany wood.
The theatre was named after Nicanor Abelardo, the Father of Philippine Sonata.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fabrics and galvanized steel framing are the primary materials used for
constructing a WeatherPort structure for convention centers or exhibit halls. It can also manufacture
structures with aluminum framing for more lightweight and/or temporary building solutions.
 Philippine Mahogany Wood

Spatial Planning:

The Cultural Center of the Philippines in Quezon City serves as an excellent example of a modern take on
indigenous architecture. Leandro V. Locsin, a well-known Filipino architect, created the Cultural Center,
which is a recognized representation of Filipino identity and creative expression. The center's architecture,
which was influenced by the traditional bahay kubo (nipa hut), consists of a network of connected buildings
with strikingly sloped roofs and outdoor areas. Locsin created a room that honors the past and the present
by deftly fusing modernist ideas with native components.
Since everyone in the audience is comfortable, the seating arrangement is good and well-positioned.
Because it is made to meet the acoustic needs of various presentation types, they can also hear sounds
very well and clearly, free of echoes and other noises.

The audience and performers' attention and energy exchange is meant to be supported and enhanced by
the theater's design. Here, ADS uses ornamental accents that are reminiscent of modernist geometric
shapes and patterns, with decorations that draw inspiration from native Filipino materials, textiles, and
elements. The proscenium arch, bookended by brass coconut tree-shaped columns, was upgraded and
modified as follows: the apron is embellished with backlit gold gilded plaster leaves; the walls are
ornamented with backlit local wooden shields. The pattern is given depth and intricacy by geometric
elements in gold and beige, which were meant to extend around and through the center of the piece.
 Republic of the Philippines
Don Honorio Ventura State University - Candaba Campus
Pasig, Candaba Pampanga, 2013
DCC@dhvsu.edu.ph
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Acoustic Treatment:

The main goal of acoustic treatment is to create a neutral and accurate listening environment that is free of
distortions, ringing, flutter echoes, and coloration. By absorbing sound waves and turning them into heat,
absorbent materials help minimize the quantity of sound that reverberates across a space. By doing this,
undesirable noises like echoes and reverberation can be reduced. Mineral wool, fiberglass panels, and
acoustic foam are examples of common absorptive materials.

The main stage curtain is modeled after the picture Genesis, while the stage floor is composed of a type of
Philippine Mahogany that was unwaxed and painted matte-black (originally not stained). This features
contribute to the Elimination of ambient noise, symmetrical audience placement around the stage,
geometric relationships between the theater's many sections, augmentation of direct sound through positive
sound reflections, and suppression of delayed sound reflections or reverberation are all examples of
effective theater design.

Historical Performances:

-The main theater lobby features in Eraserheads' music video for their 1997 single, "Spoliarium".
Various venues inside the theater were featured in Itchyworms' music video for their song, "Di Na Muli".
The video was shot as a tribute to lighting designer Teodoro Hilado, who served as technical director of the
CCP from 1969 to 1973.

-The Cultural Center of the Philippines presents Handel's "Messiah," featuring the Philippine Philharmonic
Orchestra and the award-winning Philippine Madrigal Singers.

-Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Principal Flutist Hercules Santiago, Friday, September 15

 Republic of the Philippines
Don Honorio Ventura State University - Candaba Campus
Pasig, Candaba Pampanga, 2013
DCC@dhvsu.edu.ph
_____________________________________________________________________________________

-Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Cellist Olan Guerrero, October 13.

- The CCP 46th Anniversary Gala: Serenata, September 4, 2015.

It is evident that they clearly accommodate the performances so that the audience feels safe and at ease
while they observe. There are no disturbances or echoes in the theater, and the sound is clear and
reassuring.

Recommendation for improvement:

- Acoustic Panels: You can successfully reduce sound reflections while enhancing the aesthetics of
your area by strategically placing acoustic panels on the walls, ceilings, or other surfaces.

- Acoustic Sealing: You can stop sound from leaking between places by sealing all possible air gaps,
such as doors, windows, and wall or floor junctions, with high-quality acoustic sealants.

- Diffusers: By dispersing sound waves, diffusers reduce direct reflections and smooth out the
dispersion of sound. Diffusers can help reduce echo and maximize audio quality in your venue's
interior design.