OCTOBER
16-17, 1998
Francisco Santiago Hall, PCI Bank Towers, Makati City
The play, written by Severino Reyes and Nicanor Tiongson was first presented in 1907, at a time when the Americans first came to "assimilate" us (The Philippines). This 1998, the CUE Drama Club of La Salle Greenhills presented this play in line with the centennial celebration of Philippine independence, as our contribution in forging what can be proudly called "the Filipino Identity".
A lot of preparation was made for this
production. The stage of the PCI Bank Towers' F. Santiago Theater was transformed
into a middle class Filipino's (Nora Titay's) house during the American period, which was
the set through out the whole play. Colorful costumes were made for every character, some
were newly made and some borrowed from the "Walang Sugat" production. Scanners
and other lights were rented to give proper color to the production. The music, which
sounded like a full orchestra, was arranged using a synthesizer/workstation by Mr. Mikko
Ordoņez, our LSGH grade school maestro in music whose talent has given him many projects
such as performances with John Lesaca, Ivy Violan, Dulce, etc. Jordan Punzalan, CUE's
dance choreographer also came up with a lot of ideas to make the scenes enjoyable to
watch.
The actors, whose several months of rehearsals instilled in them the value of nationalism and made them fluent in speaking the national language, were all vibrant and exhilirating on stage. Most notable for their fine performances were Albert Silva and Jason Pastoral who both played the role of Don Pardo (the story's antagonist). Albert was already given recognition as an actor for his intense performances in the club's previous productions. Gian Carlo Magdangal's (A former Kundirana member) American role was given credibility physically and in terms of characterization. Jigs Carag, a springing new talent, made a lot of people laugh with his comic role of Doro. Kurt Soliman, his alternate, who was given this first major role on stage, also gave a lot of stomach aches to the audience with his funny looks and original style of doing comedy. The crowd favorite was Leah Bermundo, who truly gave justice to the role of "Betty", a bitchy woman who was so much in awe with the Americans. The second year students were also delighted to see their FIlipino teacher, Ms. Mary Arr Daza, do a major role as Fila.
The production and technical
staff also gave their 100% effort and dedication to make the play a successful one.
Technical crew were all busy controlling the lapel microphones, lights, spotlights,
playing and rewinding the music cassette tapes, etc., while the production crew rushed
here and there switching lapel mics from character to character, helping the performers
dress up, changing the set, etc.
Each of us who was a part of this play had undergone a metamorphosis of sorts; it was no longer unusual for us to exclaim once in a while, "Ang ganda pala ng Kundiman!", or "Ganoon pala noon!", or suddenly sing out Filipino songs ("na sa kapanahunan pa ng ating mga lolo't lola") that the present-day teenager wouldn't usually sing.
"Filipinas Para los Filipinos" was our gift to ourselves and to our fellow Filipino people, trapped in a period of collonial worship and cultural negligence.
THE CAST
April Inocentes as Luisa | Miguel
Lindo and Juanito Cruz as Silvio
Mary Arr Daza as Fila | Paolo Nacorda & Al Carriaga as Andres
Diana Paterno as Titay | Jason Pastoral and Albert Silva as Don Pardo
Gian Carlo Magdangal as James | Fred Boceta and Jun-Jun Boņales as Teban | Jigs Carag and Kurt Soliman as Doro | Florence Hassik and Marimil Alcain as Eve | Tara Racho as Fila (understudy) | Katrice Soliman as Dading | Jackie Cartasano as Patring |
Germinales: Joshua Villena, Marlo del Rosario, Michael Romero, Mikhal Arroyo, Tim Congmon, Karl Villuga, Renan Oiga, Jay Butacan IV, Luis de Vera, Spencer Romano, Norman Telan, Joshua Alonso, Enrique Perez, Eric Tolentino, Germain Alilio, R.A. Espiritu, Coco Martinez | Servant: Ronald Derayunan
Federalists: JP Ahorro, Arian Gallegos, Miguel Alcain, Michael Solomon,
Norman Telan, Jason Arriola, Algo Leopando, Ronald Melendres
PRODUCTION MANAGERS: ALLAN BOMBITA/EMIG TAGLE
PRODUCTION HEADS: CEDRIC
VALERA & WIKO KABILING
MUSICAL ARRAGER/SCORER: MIKKO
ORDONEZ
TECHNICAL CREW: NINO
SANTOS/WACKY GOCHOCO/ BOBBY BONIFACIO
DIRECTOR/OVER-ALL CONCEPT: GINNY
ROLLINS NATIVIDAD
Back to
Main Page | The Talents | The Past
| The
Present | The Future | Activities
M e s s
a g e B o a r d