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Written by National Artist for Visual Arts Abdulmari Imao, this short story gets adapted for the stage by the country's premier theatre company at the new blackbox theatre built by the Cultural Centre of the Philippines
After its successful online screening of Layeta Bucoy's Doc Resurreccion: Gagamutin ang Bayan, which touched on socio-economic conditions and grassroots situations during election periods in the Philippines, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) resident theatre company breathes life anew to a socio-political short story about Mindanao for its ongoing 36th season.
Read also: Tatler Review: Tanghalang Pilipino's 'Doc Resurreccion: Gagamutin ang Bayan'
Based on National Artist for Visual Arts Abdulmari Imao's short story for young people, Tanghalang Pilipino's (TP) Anak Datu combines myth, memory, and history to create a sort of a "multiverse" theatrical spectacle. It tells the story of a lost boy, the journey of a Muslim artist, and the recollection of a massacre survivor by using "found" text, documentary material, and devised physical theatre.
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This second offering of TP for its 36th season is gracing the stage of the newly built blackbox theatre of CCP, the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez. Directed by CCP's former artistic director Chris Millado and written for the stage by Rody Vera, Imao's Anak Datu will run from September 16 to October 9. Its set design will be by Imao's son Toym Leon, who inspired the author one of the story's lead characters. Prepare to be captivated by the beautiful music composed by Josefino Chino Toledo, costumes designed by Carlo Villafuerte Pagunaling, lighting designed by Katsch Catoy, projections designed by GA Fallarme, and sound designed by TJ Ramos. As it entails martial arts and pangalay choreography, TP's production and artistic team were joined by Hassanain Magarang and the Philippine Women's University Indayog Gong Ensemble.
Above Chris Millado
Above Rody Vera
Chris Millado
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Playing the young Abdulmari is TP associate artistic director Marco Viaña. TP artistic director Fernando “Nanding” Josef plays Jibin Arula. Other major roles are played by TP Actors Company senior members Antonette Go (Imao’s wife Grace de Leon), Lhorvie Nuevo (Putli Loling); TP guest artists Tex Ordoñez-de Leon (Putli Loling), Carlos Dala (Binatang Karim/Toym Imao), and Sining Kambayoka’s Hassanain Magarang (Datu Karim).
Read also: CCP Launches E-Book for Children: Sa Pagbabasa, Hindi Ka Nag-iisa
Imao family
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For their debut performance with Tanghalang Pilipino for live theatre, playing various roles are TP Actors Company scholars Edrick Alcontado, Arjhay Babon, Mitzi Comia, Judie Dimayuga, Earle Figuracion, Vince Macapobre, Aggy Mago, Sarah Monay, Heart Puyong, and Mark Lorenz.
Read also: Loy Arcenas and Rody Vera Talk About PETA's "Arbol de Fuego"
Above Toym Imao
Above Carlos Dala as Toym Imano and Binatang Karim
Toym Imao
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Anak Datu runs from September 16 to October 9 at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP. For tickets, go to bit.ly/AnakDatuTickets
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Franz writes about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Art Studies at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright. But above all this, this Aether main spends more time in Teyvat than anywhere else.
