‘Ibong Adarna’ takes flight at Gantimpala Theater Foundation

“Ibong Adarna,” one of the most celebrated Philippine literary masterpieces, enchants audience anew as part of the 39th season of Gantimpala Theater Foundation (GTF).

This classic tale of love, deceit, and forgiveness follows the journey of three brothers from the kingdom of Berbanya (Don Diego, Don Pedro, and Don Juan) and their pursuit to catch the magical healing bird, Adarna, to help save their ailing father, king Fernando.

In collaboration with Fullhouse Asia Production Studios Inc., this 2016 staging of “Ibong Adarna,” with the contemporary version written by Ed Maranan, enjoys a highly Pinoy rendition as it follows a Muslim setting.
“We made ‘Ibong Adarna’ visually and audibly very Filipino. They’ll see Muslim dances, Muslim culture, the color and pageantry of the Muslim costumes, which showcase our rich cultural heritage.

“It’s like hitting two birds with one stone: They’ll learn the beauty of the Filipino language and at the same time they’ll hear, see, and feel the true Filipino culture in our production,” said director, production designer, and GTF board member, Roobak Valle.

(FROM LEFT clockwise) Raymond Talavera as Don Diego, BJ Forbes as Don Juan, and Jeff Carpio as Don Pedro (Photo by Jhay-r Lagrimas)

Sindaw Philippines Performing Arts Guild founder, Randy Guevara, headlines the choreography accompanied by traditional music performed live by select musicians from renowned dance company, Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group.

The cast includes former “Eat Bulaga!” child prodigy BJ ‘Tolits’ Forbes as Don Juan, alongside GTF senior members Joey de Guzman as Ermitanyo and Abel Napuran as Haring Salermo. Joining them are other GTF actors including Jhuniel Gojit (Ibong Adarna), Rachel Hernandez (Reyna Valeriana), Raffy Echem and Edwin Domino (Haring Fernando), Jeff Carpio (Don Pedro), Raymond Talavera (Don Diego), Jernice Matunan and Kate Weaver (Donya Maria Blanca), Ellrica Laguardia (Donya Leonora), and Astrid Hernandez (Donya Juana), just to name a few.
Witness the “Ibong Adarna” soar at AFP Theater on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at 9 a.m., 12 p.m., and 3 p.m.; at Star Theater, Star City on Oct. 7 at 9 a.m., 12 p.m., and 3 p.m.; and at SM Southmall Cinema 3 on Oct. 14 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m..

For more information and ticket reservation just contact the Gantimpala Marketing Office at 998-5622 or  872-0261.