MANILA, Philippines - Jose Rizal’s El Filibusterismo comes alive on stage as a riveting drama beginning Nov. 13 at the Open Air Open Auditorium in Luneta, Manila.
Penned by playwright Jomar Fleras, under the direction of Roobak Valle, this is the final installment of Gantimpala Theater’s Four Classics.
Roeder Camañag takes on the role of Don Simoun, the scheming jeweler who secretly plans a revolution.
“Being Simoun is extremely tiring to do but very fulfilling,” says Roeder. “The biggest challenge is to be able to convey all the complex emotions of the character knowing the obvious physical limitations. As Simoun, I must wear a wig, dark shades, an old gentleman’s hat, a coat that constricts my movements. Thus, I must make use of my body effectively so that the audiences can feel my emotions.”
Camañag’s co-actors are Dante Balois (Padre Florentino), Ronald Concepcion (Kabesang Tales), Abel Napuran (Tata Selo/Don Custodio), Francis Cruz III (Basilio), Hazel Orencio (Juli), Pamela Hundana (Doña Victorina), Billy Parjan (Kapitan Tiyago/Ben Zayb), Kristian Chua (Isagani), Meldea Flor Formacil (Paulita Gomez), Mark Paolo Angelo Cayabyab (Juanito Pelaez), Arkin Da Silva (Placido Penitente/Imuthis), PJ Paule (Padre Salvi) and Richard Manabat (Padre Camorra).
Roeder says, “Theater has changed me as a person, definitely. Theater makes you aware of the fact that you cannot do it alone, that each and every one is important. You have to care for your co-actors and you have to love your audiences as well.”
The other production people involved in this classic are Joseph Mattheu (lights designer), Charyl Chan-de Guzman (production manager), Glendel Dacumos (stage manager), Jojit Lorenzo (photographer) and Tony S. Espejo(artistic director).
El Filibusterismo is fully supported by the National Park Development Committee and Everbilena.
Other performances are slated on Nov. 13 and 14, (10 a.m./2 p.m.), Cinema 3, SM Southmall in Las Piñas, Nov. 20, 21, 27 and 28 (10 a.m./2 p.m.) at the AFP Theater in Quezon City.
For information, bookings and ticket reservations, call 899-5745, 896-3503, 474-5198, or visit www.gantimpalatheater.multiply.com.