Star Powerhouse

Pingkian, a musical inspired from the story of Emilio Jacinto, the brains of the Philippine revolution in the last 1890s, had a rerun on its second year at the Black box theater of Tanghalang Ignacio Jimenez, Pasay City last September 12, 2025. The stage setting was dramatic even upon entering with the raised platform and hanging fabric at the upper walls of the black box room. The usual national anthem was played at the beginning, before the show started. There were two parts of the show, the Philippine revolution meetings with Emilio Jacinto and followers, and a dream of a different future for Emilio Jacinto, who died in his young age of 20s.  The first part was effective in creating a dark depressing gloomy scenario prompting the urge for a revolution. It was dramatic and down disturbing, capturing the sentiments of even a new audience. The stage lighting, decor, costume, makeup, music, and choreography complemented the mood. One can also notice an exhibition-worthy iconic scene...

It’s time for a historical play again, with the show, “Ganito Na Kami Noon, Paano Na Ngayon?” live last July 19, 2025 (Saturday) 6:30 p.m., free for the public at the Centro Turismo de Intramuros, a newly opened tourism center at the west side edge of Intramuros opened last 2024. The show, prepared by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Intramuros Administration, was held at the ground floor gallery, a three-storey high ceiling white-washed hall with improvised stage at the far back while arranged with about 200 monobloc chairs at the audience area. The front stage was flat on the floor same with the audience, thus was a bit challenging to see from the back seat, so I stood at the back instead to get a better view.  For the older generation of today, the title may have reminded them of the 1976 historically acclaimed drama film, “Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?” by late National Artist for film Eddie Romero, but looking closer, the exact wording in the title are not exa...

What is seemingly a perfect family like in the house when it is time to welcome a non-family member as new family? Kisapmata is a black-box theater adaptation of a film with the same name launched at the 7th 1981 Metro Manila film festival in 1981. The 1981 film was adapted from the 1961 story entitled “The House on Zapote Street” written by Nick Joaquin, who at age 59 became a National Artist in Literature in the Philippines in 1976. More than forty years later, March 7, 2025 was the launch of its theater adaptation, entitled, Kisapmata, shown at the Blackbox Theater, Tangalang Ignacio Gimenez, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Pasay City. The show is about a daughter marrying a man, both of whom struggled under the daughter’s parents. With only four (4) characters: the father, mother, daughter, and son-in-law, the company creatively work out themes on a small stage timely for today’s audiences. This time, in a Blackbox theater, characters become live on stage where audience ...

The overall experience of watching Mabining Mandirigma a Steampunk Musical was absolutely entertaining and fun. The musical and it’s direction was honest, straight to the point and informative. It allowed its audiences to decide about the truth that happened in our history. The choreography and song numbers are all fine, same goes with the delivery of message and the intensity of emotions in every scene.

Before I begin with the topic for this article, I would like to make a disclaimer that everything that is written on this article does not represent Teatro Pinas as a whole. This article might contain personal views and opinion about how I feel and observed in other performances in the past. Art as a whole gives liberty to the artist to share and tell his or her stories, ideas, message and other important details that he or she would want to send across to the audiences. Theatre or performing arts a whole is a safe ground for everyone to share their stories, so as the writers. In writing we find freedom in sharing our views, opinions and stories that we feel that we needs to be shared to people. I know that I’m new in the writing industry, but as a young writer it took a lot of courage for me to ask this specific question that has been echoing in my head during the presscon of Tanghalang Pilinipino’s Mabining Madirigma a Steampunk Musical. Since I feel safe whenever I’m wit...

Tanghalang Pilipino staged a timely and relevant piece through “Coriolano.” The Shakespearean classic narrates the rampant discrimination in the society, it features the gap between the rich and the poor and how it affects someone who is in power. It also sends a strong message about the factors that affects someone’s judgment and reasoning. 

T eatro Pinas Review : Manila Notes, offers a more intimate, realistic and right now happening theater experience. The narrative of its story is the typical crowed or group of people talking at the same place allowing the audience to listen on what they wanted to listen whilst the other group has their own discussion.

Tanghalang Pilipino (TP) and the Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM), in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) present Manila Notes, a Philippines-Japan theater collaboration, staged as a TP 32nd season production from November 30 to December 16, 2018, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, at 3PM and 8PM, at the CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater).

The story of the play is flawless and relevant to the young generation, specially to the ones who's seeking for their true purpose and what they wanted to be. It showcase the success of a man that doesn't depend to the standards of many.

Through Facebook Live, the Gawad Buhay—the Philstage Awards for the Performing Arts, which marks its 10th anniversary this year—announced the nominations for the 2017 awards, culled from productions and performances by Philstage member-companies last year. The FB Live event, held at the lobby of The Theatre at Solaire, was hosted by Audie Gemora and Karla Gutierrez, Philstage president and treasurer, respectively. “Ang Pag-uusig,” Tanghalang Pilipino’s production of a new translation (by Jerry Respeto) of “The Crucible,” Arthur Miller’s classic play about socio-political paranoia, and the world premiere of Ballet Manila’s “Ibong Adarna,” featuring choreography by Gerardo Francisco and music by Diwa de Leon, both received 12 nods to lead this year’s roster of nominations. Following them are Ballet Philippines’ restaging of its Filipino-themed “The Nutcracker,” choreographed by Edna Vida and Alice Reyes, with additional choreography by Adam Sage, with 11 nominatio...

World-class Filipino artistry will once again be celebrated as Tanghalang Pilipino (TP), the resident theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, concludes its 31stTheater Season (billed as “Freedom Writers: Freedom Fighters”) with Nang Dalawin ng Pag-ibigsi Juan Tamad, a new and original production based on National Artist Nick Joaquin’s story “How Love Came to Juan Tamad.” Literary critics describe it as the correct explanation why MariyangMakiling forever nurses a broken heart and why Juan Tamad remains a pop idol; a model for the young.

After the stirring success of Aurelyo Sedisyoso and Ang Pag-uusig, Tanghalang Pilipino (TP) continues its 31stTheater Season billed as “Freedom Writers: Freedom Fighters” with diverse, entertaining and educational productions that contain themes embracing the theatercompany’s ideals: Utak, Puso, Bayan.

Para sa pag-ibig, ano’ng kaya mong gawin? What can you do for love? The question really is, what won’t you do for love? Get ready to witness a different kind of love triangle between Eurydice, Orfeo and Eurydice’s father. We explore love, loss and the pleasures of pain and memory in thismyth’s contemporary retelling that shows the young and very much in love Orpheus and Eurydice.

For someone who has seen #MabiningMandirigma on its gala show on its first run, to the second set a few months after...and even on its third run, it's quite inevitable not to have some memorable moments with this much acclaimed (and loved) steam punk musicale.

Armand Ferrer as Emilio Aguinaldo | (c) Kurt Copon Tanghalang Pilipino is on its 30th theatrical season and for its mid – season offering is the acclaimed and multi – awarded Mabining Mandirigma a steampunk musical from Dr. Nicanor Tiongson’s narrative entitled “Mabining Mandirigma (The Gentle Warrior)”.

Last September 30, I was invited to watch the theatre play entitled “Pangarap sa Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-araw” based on by William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, translation by Rolando Tinio, directed by Carlos Siguion-Reyna. It was held in CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute. Pangarap sa Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-araw is about a story on how love operates differently in every single being. Here are some of the couple in the story:

William Shakespeare’s PANGARAP SA ISANG GABI NG GITNANG TAG-ARAW (Midsummer Night’s Dream) in a Reimagined, Provocative Staging Carlos Siguion-Reyna, director of TP production “WalangSugat” and known for his films “Azucena,” “Kahapong May Dalawang Bata,” and “AngLalakisaBuhayniSelya,” brings his thought-provoking creative interpretation of Shakespeare’s Pangarap Sa Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-Araw (Midsummer Night’s Dream) translated by national artist Rolando Tinio for a limited three-weekend run from September 30 to October 16, 2016.

Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Mabining Mandirigma,” a reappraisal in musical form of the heroism and legacy of Apolinario Mabini that featured the radical casting of a female actor in the role of the revolutionary patriot, took the lead in the 2015 nominations for the Gawad Buhay!, the Philstage Awards for the Performing Arts, with 13 nods in the performance and technical categories. Following “Mabining Mandirigma” is the Philippine Educational Theater Association’s “Arbol de Fuego,” which transposed Anton Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard” to the haciendas of Negros in the martial law era, with 12 nominations.

Some may say his destiny to become a thespian in Philippine theater was laid down even before he was born. After all, his mother is none other than the Original Diva, Ms. Dulce. But David Ezra has worked hard literally and figuratively to reach wherever he is right now. Born David Ezra Llamedo Cruz, David is not new in the theater scene. As a graduate of University of Santo Tomas (UST) Conservatory of Music with a degree in Music Education majoring in Voice, he has wide experience in musical theater. He takes pride in being honed through UST's musical revue of some of Broadway's biggest hits. He was even part of Repertory Philippines' Sweeney Todd and Seussical.

This is the question that is keeps recurring into my mind while I watch the theatrical play "Mabining Mandirigma". Mabini as derive from the last name of Apolinario Mabini, it can also be a word play from the Tagalog word "Mabini" which means modest that depicts as the dominant traits of an early Filipina. On the other hand, Mandirigma which means warrior, a defender that fights for the what is rightfully his/her.