Two 'New Theatre' productions cap IPAG 29th Season

Multi-media, non-linear storytelling, contact improvisation, physical theatre, and "distillation" are some of the features of two "New Theatre" productions by the Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG).

Working on the popular flood tales in the Bukidnon, Maranao, and Maguindanao folklore, IPAG distills from these tales to produce "Uwahig," from the Bukidnon "wa-ig," meaning water. "Distillation" is a creative process the IPAG continues to evolve in its deconstruction of subject and themes for the stage.

Inspired by the Indarapatra epic, the play deconstructs the story of two brothers who descend from heaven and defend the land against darkness. The flood story - common in the literatures of the world and in most Philippine folklore - presents the overlaying water image opposite fire where the images of contemporary representations of darkness (war, hunger, evacuation, environmental destruction) are shaped through digital images, puppetry and masks, music, chants, chorus, and poetry.

Also in the bill is the premiere of another new work inspired by the stories of National Artist for Literature Alejandro "Anding" Roces. Entitled "Of Cocks and Roces," this multi-media piece uses the sabong and pop culture as founts in this humorous piece.

Both plays are written by Palanca-award winning playwright Dr. Steven Patrick C. Fernandez, DFA who also composed and recorded the original music of "Of Cocks." Fernandez and the IPAG are widely recognized for their innovations in regional theatre and the popularization of post-modern Theatre using Mindanao materials. IPAG, recently arrived from a triumphant U.S. road tour, is the most traveled Philippine repertory company today. Its works have enthralled world audiences in over a hundred cities in Europe, Asia, and North America. It is the resident theatre company of the MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology.

"Uwahig" was a Philippine entry in the 31st UNESCO International Theatre Institute Festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines created with the collaboration of Mindanao artists. Felimon Blanco and the IPAG Creative Collective choreograph, Boots Dumlao and Vicmar Paloma design the production, Geejay Arriola and the Mebuyan Peace Project compose and score the original "Uwahig" music, Lilybeth Maraon stage manages, and Arvin Solis supervises the technical design. Performing are Melvin Pascubillo, Hobart Savior, Leilani Monterola-Fernandez, Amado Guinto, Kenn Erwin Velasquez, Jetaime Yamut, Genevieve Dargantes, Phoebe Jean Gayanelo, Gamaller Ricablanca, Gregorio Cagula, Diana Clemente, and Blanco.

"Uwahig" and "Of Cocks and Roces" go onstage starting in February 7, 7:30 p.m., at the Rooftop Theatre of the College of Arts and Social Sciences of the MSU-IIT. These playdates on the same time follow: Feb. 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 23, 24, 26, and 27.

A preview of "Of Cocks" will be held February 3, 10:00 a.m., at the Audio-Visual Room of the Capitol University in Cagayan de Oro to complement the lecture of Roces on the Philippine essay. The event celebrates the 2007 National Arts Month hosted by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.