Tanghalang Pilipino goes ‘unfiltered’ in 37th season, unveils 3 upcoming productions
Tanghalang Pilipino associate artistic director Marco Viaña is looking forward to a successful 37th season with the theme Unfilter.
“This season is a challenge to all those who will come and watch without doubts and continue fight for what is right,” Viaña said. “We are happy to give you a sneak peek of the three original productions for the 37th season.”
Added Viaña, “Directed by Chris Millado, Anak Datu features some of our artists from Mindanao, like Hassanain Magarang from Marawi as Datu Karim, first-time theater actor Ramli Abdurahim who hails from Jolo as Jikiran and award-winning actress and Actor’s Company alumnus Tex Ordoñez-de Leon, who has Tausug blood as Putli Loling.” The production goes onstage Sept. 29 to Oct. 15.
Also to watch out for is the story of Susie who discovers the power of children with disability in Sandosenang Sapatos, by award-winning short story writer Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, with stage director Jonathan Tadioan and music by Joed Balsamo and Noel Cabangon.
The musical play is now on its 10th anniversary and casts first-time Tanghalang Pilipino actors Felicity Kyle Napuli and Wincess Jem Yana, who will alternate in the lead role. It runs from Nov. 17 to Dec. 3.
For a brand-new and full-length musical on the life of Emilio Jacinto, who stood up for a better tomorrow for Filipinos, there’s Pingkian, Jacinto’s alias in the Katipunan. Playing the Filipino general Emilio Jacinto is Vic Robinson, who will stand up for the importance of bravery and dedication of the youth for their nation.
Gab Pangilinan plays Catalina de Jesus in the rock musical under the valuable guidance of National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario, with music by Ejay Yatco, playwright Juan Ekis and director Jenny Jamora. Pingkian is set to be staged March 1 to 24, 2024.
“The call of Tanghalang Pilipino’s 37th season is not to tone down, censor and edit the stories we ought to share with others,” insisted Tanghalang Pilipino Foundation artistic director Nanding Josef.
“For this season, we have chosen the action word, Unfilter, which has always been our guiding principles in all our theater productions in the past and all our academic programs,” disclosed Tata Nanding. “Hence, we are putting it at the forefront of our work.”
Viaña disclosed how the three productions were chosen for Tanghalang Pilipino’s 37th season.
“Because of what happened in the 2022 elections, we want to use Tanghalang Pilipino to present and uncover the truth,” Viaña explained. “These are the three productions that we chose and these are about the lives and experiences of young people. We want them to use their power to present the truth.”
The Education Committee is the newest unit in Tanghalang Pilipino. To date, the committee has wrapped up projects with LGUs (local government units) in Palawan, Ormoc (Leyte), Catarman (Northern Samar) and Calbayog (Western Samar) in coordination with the CCP cultural and exchange committee.
Every April and May, Tanghalang Pilipino conducts its acting workshops for children, teens, acting in musical theater, acting in advance and rehearsal to performance technique.
“We are only starting that’s why there are many challenges to face, especially the schedules,” Tadioan explained. “We have to time the workshops to off-season performances of Tanghalang Pilipino.
“They hire us to conduct workshops for two to three days in those places. We were tasked to help them and give them something worthwhile to learn that can give them learning and happiness.
“Due to the needs of other communities, we need to bring the workshops to other provinces. They also need to experience how to present something even in only 10 to 15 minutes.”
Through the framework of Tanghalang Pilipino, the theater company originally called the activity KAPWA, which means Katutubong Pananaw Workshop in the Arts. Later, it became Kamalayang Pilipino Workshop in the Arts.
“Today, we decided to bring the workshop closer to the people and called it Kapwa Para sa Kapwa, that answers the needs of the people, the community and the nation,” Tadioan informed.
The courses that Tanghalang Pilipino has been conducting through the years include children’s integrated arts workshop, beginning acting, teen theater art workshop, acting in musical theater and Kamalayang Pilipino master class.
The company also offers specialized courses like directing, production design, improvisation, festival management and production and stage management.
“We also answer the needs of our clients if they want Tanghalang Pilipino to offer special courses that they need for the community,” added Tadioan.
Aside from the workshops and classes, Tanghalang Pilipino also has ongoing special projects.
Airing since 2021 is Tara Peeps, a multi-media children’s program in partnership with the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) and the episodes are seen on DZRH channel. The show has finished two seasons.
Dami Mong Alam is a financial literacy web series which airs every Saturday on the Tanghalang Pilipino Facebook page.
Soon to premiere is Lakbay Isip, a three-episode mental health series that targets the young generation for them to be reminded that they have a community with them, who guides their growth and artistic pursuits.
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