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Sunday, July 10, 2016

PRESS RELEASE: UP PLAYWRIGHTS’ THEATRE PRESENTS “THE FEMALE HEART” FROM JULY 1 – 10




After three years of hiatus, UP Playwrights’ Theatre (UPPT) proudly returns onstage with Linda Faigao - Hall’s THE FEMALE HEART running from July 1 – 10, 2016 at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, University of the Philippines Diliman.

Set in the late 1980's, the play follows Adelfa and her elder brother Anghel’s struggles as residents of the infamous mountain of garbage popularly known as Smokey Mountain

Confronted by extreme poverty and her brother's ailing health, Adelfa agrees to become a mail-order bride in the United States. 

Chase Salazar and Al Gatmaitan play the role of Adelfa and Anghel, respectively. Salazar was last seen in Ateneo Entablado’s Ang Birheng Matimtiman and in Severino Montano’s Ladies and the Senator for the celebration of UP Diliman Arts Month. Gatmaitan, an Aliw Award winner for Best Classical Male Performer in 2015, is a current regular at the ABS-CBN soap opera, “The Story of Us.” 

Joining Salazar and Gatmaitan are Philstage Gawad Buhay 2008 Awardee Peewee O’Hara; diligent and promising actress Sheryll Ceasico; multimedia producer, writer, and director, Mark McKeown; and UP Diliman Theatre Arts graduate student and former student from Siliman University alumna, Ina Azarcon–Bolivar.



THE FEMALE HEART is the directorial debut of Banaue Miclat-Janssen for UPPT. The play is also a momentous directorial project for Prof. Miclat-Janssen for she is celebrating her silver year in the Theatre industry. Joining her in the artistic team are UP Diliman faculty member, Jem Javier (translation); UP Diliman Film student Gio Potes (dramaturgy); Ina Azarcon–Bolivar (assistant direction); freelance set designer and actor Io Balanon (set design); Philstage Gawad Buhay 2014 Awardee Carlo Pagunaling (costume design); dancer / choreographer JM Cabling (movement design); theatre arts students Ricardo Lorenzo (sound design), and Garett Picardal (lights design).


The play’s portrayal of the reality of life’s tragedy seeks to awaken the spectators about the vividness of pain and despair, but most importantly, our pursuit of love and hope. 

THE FEMALE HEART is produced by special arrangement with the Playwright and Elaine Devlin Literary, Inc., 411 Lafayette Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10003. 

For tickets, sponsorships, and show buying inquiries call Samanta Clarin (09277406124) or Camille Guevara (09178239531). You may also contact Dulaang UP Office at 926-1349, 433-7840, 981-8500 local 2449 or email dulaangupmarketing at gmail.com. Please follow us on our official facebook page, facebook.com/DulaangUnibersidadNgPilipinas.


Note: The complete schedule of The Female Heart are as follows:

July 1, 2016 / Friday* - *Gala Performance - 7:00 p.m. 
July 2, 2016 / Saturday - 3:00 p.m.; 7:00 p.m.
July 3 and 10, 2016 / Sunday – 10 a.m.: 3:00 p.m.
July 6, 2016 / Wednesday - 3:00 p.m.; 7:00 p.m.
July 7, 2016 / Thursday - 3:00 p.m.; 7:00 p.m.
July 8, 2016 / Friday - 3:00 p.m.; 7:00 p.m.
July 9, 2016 / Saturday - 3:00 p.m.; 7:00 p.m.
July 10, 2016 / Sunday - 10 a.m.: 3:00 p.m.

Ticket Price
Php 500.00 Regular Ticket Price
Php 200.00 UP Student, Faculty, and Admin Employees

*Discounts are available for bulk purchases and senior citizens

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BIO-BRIEF OF CAST


CHASE SALAZAR 
Adelfa

Chase is Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts student at the University of the Philippines Diliman. She was recently seen in Jerry Respeto’s Ang Birheng Matimtiman as Clarita Matimtiman under Ateneo Entablado, and as Daisy Malapit in Severino Montano’s Ladies and the Senator under the direction of Tess Jamias. For Dulaang UP, she essayed the role of the fictional character Salud, in Floy Quintos’ Ang Huling Lagda ni Apolinario Mabini (2014); as Reyna Gandhari in the hit musical Ang Nawalang Kapatid (2014) based on the Indian epic Mahabharata; as Lady in Purple in Joy Barrios’ , Para Sa Mga Babaeng Manlalakbay na Nagtangkang Magpatiwakal Ngunit ang Tinahak na Landas ay ang Landas Patungo sa Bahaghari (2013 for Dulaang Laboratoryo, 2014 for Fringe MNL), and as Ina for Vladimeir Gonzales’ Mal, which is based on the Greek tragedy, Trojan Women, all under the direction of Dulaang UP’s current Artistic Director, Dexter Santos. Apart from acting onstage, she also acts for film.

PEEWEE O’HARA
Rosario

Peewee is a recipient of PHILSTAGE: Gawad Buhay 2008 for Tanghalang Pilipino’s Apples from the Dessert. Peewee has taught English, Speech, and Theatre for 23 years in Trinity University of Asia. She appeared in the Tanghalang Pilipino’s Dalagang Bukid, Paglipas ng Dilim, Taong Yungib ng Peking, Taga sa Panahon, Florante at Laura (Rock Opera), Orpheus Descending, Insiang, Anatomiya ng Korupsyon, Walang Kukurap, Mga Ama, Mga Anak, among others, For Virgin Labfest, she was in Doc Resureccion, Gagamutin ang Bayan, Elevator, May Isa Pang Soap Opera, Teroristang Labandera, and Ang Goldfish ni Prof. Dimaandal. For Dulaang UP, Peewee appeared in As You Like It and Bilanggo ng Pag-ibig. She was recently seen in DUP’s Tisoy Brown: Hari ng Wala and Tanghalang Pilipino’s Mga Buhay na Apoy. Her television appearances include roles for ABS-CBN’s Dahil May Isang Ikaw, Immortal, Maria La Del Barrio, Dahil sa Pag-ibig, Annaliza, and You’re my Home.

SHERYLL V. CEASICO
Rosario

Sheryll is a public school teacher and a freelance film/ commercial and theater actress. Her theater credits include: Kapit (Sipat Lawin Ensemble 2015-2016), Stage Manager (Virgin Lab 2014-2015, PETA Laboratory 2014), Nanay Mameng (2014-2015), FnL (2014), Teatro Porvenir (2014), Pitong Sundang (2013-2014), Labaw Donggon (2013), Adarna (2013), UP Dulaang Laboratoryo’s Wilfrido 100 Years (2012). Her television credit includes Karinderya Wars from TV 5, Biyaheng Bulilit at Studio 23 and Reel Time Birador on  QTV 11. She was also part of TV Commercials like Tide, ABS-CBN TV Plus, Alaska and Coke.

AL GATMAITAN
Anghel

Al Gatmaitan has distinguished himself in the classical and crossover music and theater, having been involved with performing groups, TV and film productions and theater companies such as the Philippine Opera Company, HUBO Productions (in the film “In Nomine Matris” In the Name of the Mother), Star Cinema (“The Mistress”), Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), Dulaang UP, UP Playwrights’ Theatre, Bit by Bit Productions, Tree House, Stages, Maskara, Trumpets, and Tanghalang Pilipino.

His initial music training was at the UP College of Music, which he proceeded to Italy for vocal and acting training as well as language studies. His coach was Italian soprano Maria Francavilla from the Conservatory of Torrefranca ‘Vibo Valentia’, while his language studies led to a diploma in “Teaching Italian Language Abroad” from the Dante Alighieri University for foreigners in Reggio Calabria. He also obtained a Certificate of Training in Acting and Performing from Spazio Teatro. He capped his stay in Italy with a second place distinction at the Filipino European Pop Song Festival in Reggio Calabria. He continues to hone his craft with the guidance of Mezzo Soprano Clarissa Ocampo and Tenor Michael Ricciardone. He is currently attending the Music and Performing Arts Profession Summer Program 2014 at the New York University Steindhart School of Music, New York, USA.

MARK MCKEOWN
Roger Flynn

Raised in a talented Texas family, Mark is a writer, director and producer for film, theatre and television, and has created acclaimed films, plays, performance installations and short form multi-media pieces. He graduated with a BA in Film Studies from the University of Missouri in Kansas City, and an MFA in Film & Theatre Directing at the California Institute of the Arts where he received the Flixus Interdisciplinary Production Grant. He has directed numerous stagings, including Kenneth Lonergan’s This is Our Youth at UMKC Graduate Theatre and William Inge’s posthumous Off the Main Road at Houston’s Alley Theatre. Mark’s screenplays have been produced here and in the U.S., and he continues his work throughout the world as a director and producer. This is his first acting gig on stage since playing KURT in The Sound of Music for Midland Community Theatre in the late 1980s.

INA AZARCON – BOLIVAR
Young Adelfa

Ina is currently an MA in Theatre Arts student at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Interested in the different aspects of theatre, she has worked on and behind the stage of several productions including, Siliman University's In My Father's House, Dalanghita Production’s Kung Paano ako Naging Leading Lady, The Virgin Labfest 11, The Ladies and the Senator, and many more.


AHMED JOEM MAULANA
Young Anghel

Ahmed is an incoming second year Certificate in Theatre Arts student at the University of the Philippines Diliman. He has been part of Dulaang UP’s #R < / 3J as an ensemble and costume representative, King Lear / Haring Lear as publicity representative, Tisoy Brown: Hari ng Wala as marketing representative and The | Ang Dressing Room... as the costume coordinator. His other credentials include Mako, an undergraduate thesis at the UP Film Institute last May 2016, as well as Little Red Riding Hood and Stronger  at the College of Music at UP Diliman.




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ARTISTIC TEAM

BANAUE MICLAT-JANSSEN
Director

Banaue is a pure Filipino born in Beijing, China. She credits her heritage to make her heir to a unique tradition that provides intensity to her craft as an artist. The high sense of cultural awareness in China, with its constant drilling in the importance of fundamentals, and a history that goes back thousands of years, opened her senses to the ancient world of the arts. Enriching this is her claim to the Filipino culture - molded and shaped by years of colonialism, of cultural diversity, of political ruptures, and resilience and steadfastness of spirit. It is this Filipino spirit that empowers her with the creativity that compels her to be immediate and unburdened as an artist.

As a director, Banaue has worked with UP's Dulaang Laboratoryo, Muscial Theater Philippines, and most recently, for the first Fringe Manila in 2015, Joshua Lim So's Palanca Award winning play, "Tungkol kay Angela" under Destiyero Theater Commune.

This year, Banaue celebrates the silver-lining of her career in the theater. Her 24th year in the industry is celebrated with her directorial debut for UP Playwrights' Theatre with Linda Faigao Hall's "The Female Heart".

As Banaue prepares for her 25th year in 2017, she is honored to share the cultural diversity and awareness that has driven her throughout her career.

LINDA FAIGAO-HALL
Playwright

Ms. Linda Faigao-Hall's plays have been produced in the US including New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, San Francisco, Arlington, Virginia; Washington, D.C.; at college campuses Tufts; Rutgers; Syracuse University and Cornell, and in countries like India and Saudi Arabia. Her last 4 productions were on off-Broadway venues at Theater Row, 42nd Street, New York City; God, Sex and Blue Water; Sparrow; The A - Word (appeared in Smith and Kraus' inaugural publication of the Best Ten-Minute Plays of 2008); The Female Heart (sold-out hit at the First Asian American Theater Festival, NYC); Duet, The Interview, Woman From the Other Side of the World; and State Without Grace. Other plays include Walking Iron (National Endowment of the Arts award 2002); Dying in Boulder and one of 3 plays on the Marcos regime, Lay of the Land. Four of her plays are in an anthology, The Female Heart and Other Plays by Linda Faigao Hall published by NoPassport Press in NY (available at Amazon.com).

Ms. Faigao-Hall has a Master of Arts in English Literature from New York University and studied Medieval Theater at Bretton Hall College, Wakefield, England. She is pursuing a Certificate in English Studies at Oxford University. She is currently teaching Playwriting at Mercy College, a private liberal arts college in Dobbs Ferry, Westchester, US. She is also funding a 5-year fellowship program named after her late father, poet, writer and journalist, the Cornelio Faigao Playwright's Workshop in Drama and Performance, launched in 2014, whose mission is to develop Cebuano-identified playwrights writing in Cebuano and English.

JEM JAVIER
Translator

Jem is currently the associate editor of the UPDate Magazine and co-editing Ugnayan Diliman, two of the official publications of UP Diliman. Jem was a member of the dramaturgical an writing team of the UP Foundation Day celebration in 2015 billed as Pag-inog at Pagsulong; Ika-107 taon ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas which was directed by Jose Estrella. He also served as one of the writers of other institutional events in UP Diliman such as the affirmation of Dr. Michael Tan as the 10th Chancellor of UP Diliman in October 2014, parada ng parangal and Linggo ng Parang in May 2015, and Aninag, the lighting ceremony signaling the Christmas Season in UP Diliman in December 2015. Jem is also co-author of the adaptation of Rene Villanueva's Istariray into puppetry performed at the Main Steps of UPD Library in 2015, also under Estralla's direction. He is also one of the brains behind Arkipelago, the artistic and cultural segment of the UAAP Season 78 Opening Ceremonies held at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum in September 2015. Recently, he was one of the dramaturgs of Dulaang UP's Tisoy Brown: Hari ng Wala. He is also Assistant Professor of Linguistics at the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy in UP Diliman.


CARLO PAGUNALING
Costume Designer

Carlo is an emerging costume designer. Mentored by professional theatre artists like Tony Mabesa, Amiel Leonardia, Ogie Juliano, Lu Decenteceo, Leo Abaya, Jose Estrella and John Abul among others, he designed costumes for Shadows of the Reef, Pasyon ni Kristo, Hinabing Pakpak ng Ating mga Anak, Bilanggo ng Pag-ibig, Tisoy Brown: Hari ng Wala (Dulaang UP); Riders to the Seam Ondine, Alunsina Desupi (UPLB Samang Sining); William, Bona, PAMANA, Rak of Aegis (PETA); Daragang Magayon (E-Dance Theater); Colonial (Co.Esraga); In my Father's House, Ampalaya the Musical (CAC Siliman University); Si Maria Isabella at ang Guryon ng mga Tala (CCP Virgin Labfest); and Kalantiaw (Tanghalang Ateneo). He co-designed costumes for Basilia ng Malolos, Amphitryon, Adarna (Dulaang UP); D' Wonder Twins of Boac (PETA), and Chuva Choo Choo: The Mr. Kupido Musicale (Stages). He was nominated in 2011 PHILSTAGE Awards in the category of Best Costume Design for PETA's William. He was also of the ten finalists for 2012 National Biotechnology Accessories Design Contest. He won the 2014 PHILSTAGE Gawad Buhay Outstanding Costume Design for Rak of Aegis.

GARETT PICARDAL
Lights Designer

Garett is a graduating BA Theatre Arts Student at the University of the Philippines Diliman. This production will serve as her undergraduate thesis for the degree of BA Theatre Arts of the Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts, under the supervision of Mr. Meliton Roxas. 

JM CABLING 
Movement

JM Cabling graduated from Philippine High School for the Arts as a fold dance major. He is a graduate of Diploma in Creative and Performing Musical Arts major in Dance and Bachelor of Music major in Dance (cum laude) under the College of Music of the University of the Philippines Diliman. Currently, he is the contemporary dance teacher of the UP Pep Squad. He is also the associate artistic director and one of the resident choreographers of the UP Dance Company. As an active member of UPDC, JM was able to participate in different dance and theater productions, workshops, master classes and lectures here int he Philippines and other countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Thailand and France. His mentors namely Herbert Alvarez, Elena Laniog-Alvarez, Ava Villanueva-Ong, Angela Lawenko-Baguilat and Professor Emeritus Steve Villaruz allowed him to showcase his choreographies to be in different national dance competitions in contemporary dance such as his "Flight", 1st Place in the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Sayaw Pinoy 2013, "Tagu-taguan", 2nd Place in the Dancelebration Avenue 2014, "Bent", 1st Place int eh Wifi Body New Choreographer's Competition and "Layag", 1st Place in the NCCA Sayaw Pinoy 2014. He has also choreographed for Dulaang UP productions including Bilanggo ng Pag-ibig, #R < / 3J and Tisoy Brown: Hari ng Wala.

VIRGILIO BALANON 
Set Designer

Io is a graduating BA Theatre Arts student. Aside from designing sets, he also acts for film and theatre.

RICARDO DEL CASAL LORENZO 
Sound Designer

Ric is a fourth year Theatre Arts student at the University of the Philippines Diliman majoring in Technical Theatre and Management, focusing on sound design. He is an apprentice to the sound designer, Jethro Joaquin. He owes much of his music to his parents, Ben Aleta (High School Band Master), Glenn Velarde (Drummung), his band Makeshift, and to the late Tess Salientes (jazz pianist).



INA AZARCON-BOLIVAR 
Assistant Direction

Ina is currently an MA in Theatre Arts student at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Interested in the different aspects of theatre, she has worked on and behind the stage of several productions including, Siliman University's "In My Father's House", Dalanghita Production’s "Kung Paano ako Naging Leading Lady"; "Talo Ang Walang Alam", "The Ladies and the Senator" to name but a few.


Photo from Gio Potes' Facebook account
GIO POTES 
Dramaturgy

Gio is a UP Film student and a member of the UP Repertory Company. Beginning his theater training with Tanghalang Bayan ng Kabataan sa Baguio (TaBaK-Baguio) and soon UP Rep, Gio would write and perfom in countless tula-dula performances in different venues, while also serving as Rep's Research Head, immersing in communities and doing both theater and field research. He has served and trained in many functions inf UP Repertory such as the company's production manager, stage manager, sounds designer, writer and also actor for Lean: The Musical (2013), Damas de Noche (2014), Bangsa: Mga Dayalogo sa Moro (2014) and Mas Mabigat ang Liwanag sa Kalungkutan (2015). His most recent theatre credits include writing UP Rep's travelogue series Terminal, and directing Gabriela Youth-UP Diliman's Usapang Puke, the Filipino translation of The Vagina Monologues. A student of Dr. Anril Tiatco, Ph.D, he landed the role of dramaturg for UPPT's The Female Heart - his first project in dramaturgy.


Saturday, April 9, 2016

Press Release: ROEDER CAMANAG LEADS ALL-MALE CAST FOR FEMALE ROLES IN "ANG DRESSING ROOM: KUNG SAAN LUBUSANG PANGUNGULILA ANG DULOT NG AGOS NG PANAHON" SET TO OPEN ON APRIL 13

Multi-awarded actor and director Roeder Camanag is set to lead an all-male cast to act as females in Dulaang UP’s “ANG DRESSING ROOM: KUNG SAAN LUBUSANG PANGUNGULILA ANG DULOT NG AGOS NG PANAHON” ---  a 1977 post-war Japanese play by Shimizu Kunio, translation adapted by Chiori Miyagawa from an original translation by John Gillespie and its Filipino translation by Palanca award winning playwright Nicolas Pichay under the direction of Alexander Cortez.

Together with Roeder are seasoned artists of Philippine theatre, film, and television namely Andoy Ranay, Gwyn Guanzon, and Ian Ignacio.

The play within a play tells the stories, frustrations, memoirs and aspirations of four actresses preparing backstage (gakuya, in Japanese) and waiting for their cue to enter onstage. All actresses express their desire to perform the lead role and their obsessive coveting for it ignites a comic yet dramatic narrative about shared memories and their relationship with each other. “Ang Dressing Room: Kung Saan Lubusang Pangungulila Ang Dulot Ng Agos Ng Panahon ”is a tender and humorous drama about actors, the theatre, aging, surviving and moving on.

Herewith are some interesting thoughts written by Roeder Camanag on his role as Actress A about this play which opens on April 13 – 7 p.m. at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, 2/F Palma Hall, U.P. Diliman Q.C.

“There are many reasons why I love being part of The Dressing Room. For many years now,  I love my personal rituals as soon as I stepped into the theater.  The preparations excite me as an actor. I make it a point to arrive in the performance venue an hour before my actual call time.  I work best when I am relaxed, when I take my time, when I get into my character.”

“As soon as I enter my designated dressing room, I turn on the lights, and put on my robe or what some call the dressing gown of the actor. ”

“I have also mastered doing make up on my own.  If the play requires me to have a special look, I sometimes collaborate with a make up expert, but I like doing my own make up.   It is something that excites me when I create a look for my character. ”

“Aside from the dressing room, my other favorite place is the stage.  The small talk I have with my co-actors while prepping for our roles, the conversations serve as a warm up to me.  The indescribable feeling of excitement as I step on stage to breathe life to a character also is priceless.”

“For this particular play,  it is doubly memorable because my rituals and routines in the dressing room happen on stage.  I play a Japanese actress from the past, a ghost whose soul never left the theater. So imagine the preparations I have to do to transform to my character and everyone sees that on stage.”

“As an actor, I am fascinated with the actresses - their core, their being, their psyche, their complications, their angsts, their emotions, their temperaments, quirks, and the many other things that make them different from me.  This show allows me to live that fantasy.  I love getting into the heart of a performance actress, into the mind of a female actor, into the soul of a diva.  I’ve always loved the strong empowered women characters in theater - Lady Macbeth and Olga in The Three Sisters. ”

“I am also glad that this play, Shimizu Kunio’s The Dressing Room, is all about dreams, sacrifices, focus, determination, struggles and survival, life, life in all its beauty and drama.  And I am happy to work along side wonderful actors Andoy Ranay, Gwyn Guanzon Ian Ignacio and Jon Abella.   It’s also my first time to work with director Alex Cortez.

“Ian Igancio and I auditioned for this play, while Andoy Ranay and Gwyn Guanzon were pre casted. We only had one session for the Geisha walk But for the rest, we had to do our own research and then explore all other possibilities during rehearsals. ”

“It was in mid-January when rehearsals started with a thrice a week schedule. I’m so lucky to be working with these talented, disciplined and generous actors. They made the whole process easy and fun. Almost like a tete-a-tete or ‘chikahan’ but we made sure that every rehearsal always turn out to be productive.”


“I'm in awe of Andoy's wit . Fast thinker. The nuances that he puts into his character Actress B is amazing. I would often catch myself watching him. ”

“I marveled on Gwyn's vocal prowess and elagance as Actress C - the Diva.

“Ian Ignacio and Jon Abella alternating as Actress D are both hardworking ---  their attitude and respect for their craft is inspiring. ”

The English version “The Dressing Room: That Which Flows Away Ultimately Becomes Nostalgia”, features an all-female cast namely Frances Makil-Ignacio, Ces Quesada and Missy Maramara.




Also featured in the production are up-and-coming theatre actors, Maxine Ignacio, Marynor Madamesila and the Dulaang UP ensemble.

The artistic team is composed of Dexter M. Santos (choreography), Ohm David (set design), Meliton Roxas Jr. (lighting design), Faust Peneyra (costume design), Jethro Joaquin (sound design), and Patricia Balboa (video design).

Ang Dressing Room: Kung Saan Lubusang Pangungulila ang Dulot ng Agos ng Panahon opens April 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 (10 am and 3 pm), April 20, 22, 23 (10 am) and April 24 (3pm).  All evening shows start at 7 p.m.

The Dressing Room: That Which Flows Away Ultimately Becomes Nostalgia runs April 7, 8, 9 and 10 (10 am and 3 pm); April 19, 21, 23 (3 pm) and 24 (10 am).

All performances are held at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, 2nd floor, Palma Hall, U.P. Diliman.

For tickets, reservation, sponsorships, and show buying inquiries, call Samanta Hannah Clarin or Camille Guevara at 926-1349, 433-7840, 981-8500 local 2449 or email dulaangupmarketing@gmail.com. Like our official Dulaang UP page at facebook.com/DulaangUnibersidadNgPilipinas. 

The Dressing Room: That Which Flows Away Ultimately Becomes Nostalgia | Ang Dressing Room: Kung Saan Lubusang Pangungulila ang Dulot ng Agos ng Panahon is produced by special arrangement with the playwright, Chiori Miyagawa.


Photography: Jojit Lorenzo
Poster Design: Pow Santillan
Art Direction (Photoshoot): Gwyn Guanzon
Makeup: (Photoshoot): Riza Romero

#DUP40 #TheDressingRoom
Press Release
Ref: Toots Tolentino
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Thursday, March 31, 2016

Press Release: Teatro Tomasino Reimagines Bob Ong’s Novel





For its 38th season, Teatro Tomasino presents its second major production of the year — a stage adaptation of a popular novel of Bob Ong. The stage play runs from April 20-22, 2016, with shows at 10 A.M., 1 P.M., 4 P.M., and 7 P.M., at the Albertus Magnus Auditorium, University of Santo Tomas.

Retitled as “Ang Favorite Book ni Jude,” the play conveys a socio-political and quasi-religious message through exploring the life of the protagonist Jude as he struggles to find redemption of faith in his experience of the afterlife. The stage play is directed by Ron Biñas and adapted for the stage by Eljay Castro Deldoc. Likewise, the production showcases professional designers, namely: Io Balanon for set and props, D Cortezano for lighting, and Philstage Gawad Buhay 2014 awardee Carlo V. Pagunaling for costume and makeup.





Teatro Tomasino is the official university-wide student theater organization of the University of Santo Tomas. For ticket queries, contact Jenny at 09062369492 or visit Teatro Tomasino's Facebook page. 

Monday, March 28, 2016

Press Release: TANGHALANG ATENEO 'S 'KALANTIAW' ALL SET TO OPEN MARCH 30

TANGHALANG ATENEO ENDS ITS 37TH SEASON WITH RENE O. VILLANUEVA’S “KALANTIAW” 



Tanghalang Ateneo, the longest-running theater company of the Loyola Schools will end its 37th Season: “Staging Revolution/s” this March with Rene O. Villanueva’s “KALANTIAW”. Based on real-life events, this play, originally entitled “Ang Kagila-gilalas na Kasinungalingan Tungkol sa Isang Kayumangging Bayan”, is written by the country's leading playwright in Filipino, Rene O. Villanueva. This Palanca First Prize-winning play is about the life of historian Jose E. Marco and the hoax he created - the controversial Code of Kalantiaw. The play, first performed at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and then at the Theatre Le Rond Point in Paris by Tanghalang Pilipino, forces us to take a closer and more critical look at our sense of nationalism.

The play focuses on the themes of nationalism and the creation of history. It follows an unnamed young historian as he dives deep into the annals of Philippine history in search for the truth about life in pre-colonial Philippines. His research leads him to Jose E. Marco, a historian who allegedly uncovered an important piece of anthropological text depicting the rules and systems implemented during those times. The young researcher delves into the lives of those who were involved in the process of making the Code of Kalantiaw, which is considered as an important part of the canon of Philippine historical texts. Many of Marco’s alleged texts are hinted at throughout the play as baseless fabrications that hold no value in the academic community. In the end, while the young historian is successful in disproving the claims of Marco, he also realizes that his search was in vain as it only led him to lies and deceit.

An ensemble of eight cast members will portray eighteen characters, each playing multiple roles:


John Sanchez portrays Jose E. Marco/Matandang Lalaki, the creator of the hoax of the Code of Kalantiaw who comes back from the dead to explain his reasons for fabricating the said code. John Sanchez also portrays Kalantiaw, a datu from the Visayas region who was believed to have created the brutal precolonial code.


Brian Ramos portrays Batang Historyador, a young academic who researched on the precolonial history of the Philippines, eventually being led to the discovery that the Code of Kalantiaw was merely a hoax created by Jose Marco. Brian Ramos also portrays Luther Parker and Merton Miller.

Yvonne Ricaro portrays Asawa, Jose Marco’s wife. She also plays the role of Katutubong Babae 1-8. 

Johnel Inojosa portrays the role of Matandang Historayador who is the mentor of Batang Historyador.

Avie Alcantara portrays Dr. James A Robertson, the director of the national library and museum in the Philippines. He also plays the role of Estudyanteng Filipino

Jego Mallillin portrays the roles of Jose Rizal and Giya.

Chloe Fabul portrays the roles of Babae and Babaeng Guro.

Jerome Flor portrays the roles of Kusinero and Ama ni Marco. 

The artistic team of “KALANTIAW” is comprised of Glenn Sevilla Mas (Artistic Director and Company Moderator, Tanghalang Ateneo), Joseph Dela Cruz (OIC Company Moderator), Charles Yee (Director), Ed Lacson Jr. (Set Designer), Carlo Pagunaling (Costumes Designer), Meliton Roxas Jr. (Lights Designer), Jeff Hernandez (Sounds Designer), Gio Gahol (Choreographer) and Nic Perez (Graphic Designer).

The play dates of  “KALANTIAW” are: March 30-31, April 1-2, 5-9, 12-16 at 7 p.m. while Saturday matinee shows start at 2 p.m. 

All performances will be held at the Rizal Mini Theater of the Ateneo de Manila University.

Tanghalang Ateneo’s “KALANTIAW” would like to thank its media partners: Curtain Call Manila, Sindikato Productions, WazzupPilipinas.com, Theater Fans Manila, ClickTheCity, Choose Philippines, SkedSearch, and 2nd Opinion. 

For further details of the show, please contact Madel Juliano at 0917-631-4387 or email: ta.mpc78@gmail.com

Photo credits: art direction by Ed Lacson Jr.; styling by Carlo Pagunaling; photography by Christine Chung and Adrian Begonia

Connect to Tanghalang Ateneo online through the following social media networks:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TanghalangAteneo
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TAOfficial_
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tanghalangateneo
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/tanghalangateneo
  
See you at the theater! 

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