'Juan Tamad' play to represent Philippines in World Theater Congress in Russia
MANILA, Philippines — Tanghalang Pilipino, the resident theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), will showcase Filipino artistry and talent at the 12th World Theater Congress, happening on August 20 to 24 in Moscow, Russia.
The Congress and Theater Festival seeks to provide a major forum to discuss issues regarding the development of university theatres and changes in theater curricula and pedagogy in the 21st century. It aims to highlight recent debates, initiatives and innovative approaches that characterize university theater and redefine its role, position, nature and action in the present world.
Delegates from 50 countries are expected to participate in the congress, with theater companies from Latvia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Russia and the Philippines presenting their theatrical pieces at the theater festival.
Spearheaded by CCP president Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso, together with TP artistic director Fernando “Nanding” Josef, other CCP and TP officials, the Philippine theater company will have the world premiere of “Nang Dalawin ng Pag-ibig si Juan Tamad (When Love Came to Juan Tamad)” on August 23 at the Theater Center "Vishnevy Sad/Cherry Orchard” in Moscow.
The original Filipino theater play is based on Filipino National Artist Nick Joaquin’s short story “How Love Came to Juan Tamad,” which was included in the book “Pop Stories for Groovy Kids,” published in 1979.
Directed by Jonathan Tadioan, “Nang Dalawin ng Pag-ibig si Juan Tamad” explains why Mariyang Makiling forever nurses a broken heart and why Juan Tamad remains a pop idol.
Featuring TP’s very own Actors Company, the play puts a spotlight on the Filipino folk tales, following the bizarre love triangle among the Filipino legendary characters Mariyang Makiling (Goddess of Love), Monte Banahaw (God of War), and Juan Tamad (the iconic character known for his laziness). The play is teeming with complex characters, with no one being purely a hero or a villain.
Not only is this production a mash-up of characters, the story explores the different faces of love – spiteful, narcissistic, revengeful and selfish - with a goddess falling for a mortal and a god breaking his boundaries all in the name of love.
The iconic folk characters are re-introduced and given a “New Age-meets-Indigenous” look with eclectic and colorful costumes designed by Marco Viaña, complemented by the dynamic sound design and musical composition by TJ Ramos, and choreography by Ronelson Yadao.
Meanwhile, actor-director and former TP Artistic Director Dennis Marasigan will be joining the delegation to present his paper on “The Practice of Theatre in the Philippines.”
The International University Theatre Association (AITU-IUTA) organizes the biennial theater gathering. Established at Université de Liège (Belgium) in 1994, the international theater organization aims develop and promote recognized post-secondary activity in theatre training, creation, research and theoretical and practical research, throughout the world, at the level of university or higher studies.
Designed by and for people from universities and other types of post-secondary learning institutions, the IUTA is a unique forum where teachers, practitioners, creators, scholars and theorists can share discoveries and discuss common concerns. This year’s World Congress is supported by the Ministry of Culture of Russia.
Established in 1987, Tanghalang Pilipino aims to develop and train actors, playwrights, and designers. With special emphasis on the production of original Filipino plays, it also aims to educate and awaken the cultural consciousness of the Filipino audiences through its regular performances and other related activities. The Tanghalang Pilipino season runs from July to March every year. Fernando “Nanding” Josef is its current Artistic Director.
