Cover Rehearsal photo of Dulaang UP's 'The Reconciliation Dinner'
Rehearsal photo of Dulaang UP's 'The Reconciliation Dinner'
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Forging a path forward, Dulaang UP is back with a new artistic team that will continue the legacy of its founder National Artist Antonio "Tony" O Mabesa
The past two years have been difficult for Dulaang UP (DUP) as, besides the pandemic, it has also gone through a fire incident in the UP Faculty Center (which closed down its theatres) and the mournful passing of its founding artistic director National Artist Antonio Mabesa. Yet, it has fared well during the pandemic, despite limitations, they released footage of some of their most esteemed productions for online consumption. And with its head held high, DUP now soars onto a new beginning with the opportunity to perform onstage in a hybrid environment.
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Titled "Balikwas: Tanaw. Tugon. Tindig", DUP's new season is an agile response to the current conditions of theatre practice and Filipino society in this new era. Issa Manalo Lopez, the new artistic director, said that for the past two years of DUP's unprecedented hiatus, they had to "navigate the new terrain of digital theatre together with our students in our classes. And it's not very easy but it is fulfilling."
Working hand-in-hand, faculty, students, alumni, artist collaborators, and partner institutions, are pushing the University of the Philippines' official and distinguished theatre group to turn against the tide that is flooding the nation in despair and heed the call to stand firm against social injustices and deterioration of the nation's political awakening. Hence this season's theme gives us an overview of DUP's new objectives.
"We hope that you could help us find our footing again, our confidence to start creating and mounting brave performances again," Lopez said. "Artists take part in nation-building and this is our platform. This is our time now. And together with our students, we are facing this challenge: Balikwas—to leap, spring from the ground, and go against the grain. This kinesthetic energy is what it takes for DUP to catapult itself into this 'next' normal."
Read also: Actor-Director Marco Viaña on Philippine Theatre's Transformational Power
Above National Artist Tony Mabesa
National Artist Tony Mabesa
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DUP began its 45th season with a look back on the life and legacy of Mabesa through "Pagtutuloy/Pagtutulay". The evening programme held at the Abelardo Hall of UP Diliman expressed a tone of gratitude and heartfelt remembrance. Natasha Cabrera sang National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab's "Minsan ang Minahal ay Ako" from the hit Filipino musical Katy!, accompanied by RJ Balledos on guitar and Daniel Estrellado on violin, while photos of DUP's late members who passed in the last two years flashed on the screen.
A short film documentary prepared by DUP was also premiered, which featured Mabesa's students, relatives, and friends remembering the late National Artist, as well as the latter's never-before-seen interviews before his passing. Afterwards, Karen Gaerlan read excerpts from Mabesa's memoir Life in the Theater, which was interpreted through dance by Kinnara Mayari. And lastly, Mabesa's friend and colleague in the theatre and film industry, acclaimed director Joel Lamangan, shared his "Tony story", focusing on the National Artist's pursuit of becoming a "movie star".
Teaser poster of 'Kung Paanong Nanalo sa Karera si Rosang Taba'
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Two stellar productions are lined up in this year’s 45th theatre season; The Reconciliation Dinner, a new one-act play by Floy Quintos, directed by Dexter Santos, showing this November 18-20, 2022; and Kung Paano Nanalo sa Karera si Rosang Taba, original story by Dean Alfar, through the stage adaptation by Maynard Manansala and Rody Vera, directed by José Estrella, to be staged by March 2023.
"Come and join us in the theatre as we present our season's offerings which are brave, critical, and hopeful works that can help us understand how we can start participating in making change happen," Lopez said. "Stand with us as we defend our platforms for performances against any threats of censorship, preserve freedoms of expression, and protect our history's narrative as we face the future."
Read also: Meet the New National Artists: Nora Aunor, Tony Mabesa, Ricky Lee, and More
Above Issa Manalo Lopez, Dulaang UP's artistic director
Above Nicodemus Varona, Dulaang UP's managing director
Issa Manalo Lopez, Dulaang UP's artistic director
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Part of DUP's endeavours this 45th season is utilising the digital medium. For The Reconciliation Dinner, they are introducing a video-on-demand option which audiences can access via Ticket2Me. Meanwhile, Kung Paanong Nanalo sa Karera si Rosang Taba is a filmed-on-stage production that will be also available online. Aside from the mobility constraints brought by the pandemic, these measures were also considered due to the renovation of the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theatre.
Also in this 45th season, DUP seeks to be proactive in responding to the rising need for safe spaces for students and the rest of the theatre company. With #DUPSafeSpaces, the company is collaborating with the university's Office for Anti-Sexual Harassment, in creating a programme that will orient and train its stakeholders to keep rehearsal spaces safe and conducive for creative and educational purposes.
Lastly, the Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts, of which DUP is part of, is planning to launch an online library of the company's scripts, production design photos, and costumes that will be accessible to everybody. The artistic team clarified that though this project has started its initial phases of archiving and collecting since the onset of the pandemic, it is still in the works and they are still polishing the terms and conditions with regard to its access and the protection of its creators' intellectual property rights.
Above National Artist Tony Mabesa
National Artist Tony Mabesa
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"Sir Tony believes that we should always take care of ourselves. For us teachers, he wants us to maintain that care for our students, care that goes beyond the basic needs but includes moulding them to become responsible artists," Lopez said, on what Mabesa imparted to them which drives DUP forward.
"His vision of bringing to the Filipino audience the world classics of theatre, with English and Filipino adaptations, will also continue," Lopez said. "Sir Tony wanted us to continue opening the minds of the Filipinos, and respond to the changes of the times may it be happening in our society or in the world of theatre-making."
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Before assuming the Art and Culture Editor position, Franz has always had a penchant for visual and performing arts. He is passionate about exploring and writing about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright.
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Franz earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas. He writes about local visual and performing artists and their craft; drinks wines, liquors, and spirits and talks about the creativity of their respective winemakers and master blenders; tries to learn more about business and investments; respects the tradition and artistry that go behind the making of watches and jewellery; and appreciates the genius of architecture and creative design.
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