4 University-Based Productions this April 2025
Four plays will be running across four universities in Metro Manila this April.
1. KASARAY DUMA: MGA SUPLING NG SIGWA BY PUP SINING-LAHI POLYREPERTORY
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The PUP Sining-Lahi Polyrepertory (PUP SLP/ Polyrep) is set to stage Eljay Deldoc’s Kasaray Duma: Mga Supling ng Sigwa from March 31 to April 2, 2025, with three show schedules (12:00 NN, 2:30 P.M., & 5:00 PM) per day, at the Tanghalang PUP, College of Communication Compound, Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Kasaray Duma follows the titular fictitious indigenous tribe as they face looming displacement from their homes due to a development project proposed by their local government. This causes division among the Kasaray Dumas—some believe they must submit to relocation orders, while others choose to fight for their ancestral land. Their struggle triggers the return of a long-lost spirit.
The play exposes real-life struggles of land-grabbing and corruption, highlighting the systemic failure to protect Indigenous Peoples’ rights and culture. It underscores power, injustice, and collectivism—timely themes that SLP insists must be amplified in times of political unrest. This aligns with Polyrep’s 43rd Theater Season, Puyra Buyag, which challenges the status quo, rejects hierarchy, and seeks to end cycles of abuse.
Kasaray Duma is directed by Polyrep alumnus and seasoned theater practitioner Paul Jake Paule and Polyrep member Kuina Suruiz. Making up the cast is an ensemble of Polyrep members, apprentices, and alumni: Jhonsen Bognot, Sky Dabanda, Sarah Gonzales, Markel Belo Gamboa, Castur Deguinon, Roby Ann Go, Princess Anne Buhay, David Amonoy, Estephene Castro, Ryan Molina, Robielle Marfori, Margauxxx, Katrina Bernardo, Maryden Villapando, and Pearl Arceo.
The creative team includes Carly Avila (dramaturg), Lyric Alolor (production design), Kimberly Paigones (set and props head), Celine Neo (lights head), Aira Nicole Manalo (sounds head), Jess Briones (projection mapping), and Sky Dabanda (costume, hair, and makeup design).
2. KAPENG BARAKO CLUB: SAMAHAN NG MGA BITTER BY TEATRO TOMASINO
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Teatro Tomasino will be staging a rerun of Juan Ekis’ Kapeng Barako Club: Samahan ng mga Bitter on March 28 to 29 and April 2 to 5, 1 PM, 4 PM, and 7 PM at the Thomas Aquinas Research Center (TARC) Auditorium in UST.
The play is a story that covers the lives of an eclectic group of friends and their misadventures. The group calls it “A bold and indulgent tale about love and friendship in its sweet highs and bitter lows brewed into one smooth and one-of-a-kind blend.”
Tickets are P300, which can be bought through the group’s Google Form.
3. MGA ANAK NG UNOS BY DULAANG UP
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Dulaang UP’s Mga Anak ng Unos is a twin bill that showcases two brand new performances that explores pressing issues in the climate crisis. It is the first of Dulaang UP’s offerings under the DUP INNOVATE banner, a laboratory platform dedicated to the creation of new developing and original works from Filipino theater practitioners.
The first play is Sa Gitna ng Digmaan ng mga Mahiwagang Nilalang Laban sa Sangkatauhan, written by Joshua Lim So under the direction of José Estrella. The play presents the alliance between the bathalas and the other mythological creatures and their move to punish the sangkatauhan for disrupting the balance.
Members of the artistic team include Sir Anril Tiatco and Jem Javier (Dramaturgy), Mark Dalacat (Set Design), Carlos Siongco (Costume Design), Barbie Tan-Tiongco (Lights Design), Jack Alvero (Sound Design), Gaby Asanza (Dramaturg-in-Training), and Popo Amascual (Assistant Director), to name a few. The cast of the ensemble piece includes Raymond Aguilar, Tristan Bite, Kris Caaya, Jasper Cabra, Exequiel Camporedondo, Sheryll Villamor Ceasico, Kenneth Charles Famy, Belle Francisco, Lee Lim, Sarina Sasaki, Jigger Sementilla, Genalyn Suelto, and Ingrid Villamarin.
The second play, Climate in Crazies, looks at the expanse of global experience and zooms in on the local and more personal experience of this global climate emergency, highlighting the personal and collective efforts to address it. Taking off from David Finnigan’s Scenes from the Climate Era, the production members explore their understanding of the ongoing global climate
emergency and retell their personal experiences through the process of devising.
Directed by Issa Manalo Lopez and Tess Jamias, the artistic team includes Nikka De Torres (Dramaturgy), Mark Dalacat (Set Design), Carlos Siongco (Costume Design), Jose Buencamino and Sage Ilagan (Sound Design), and Tofie Falcon (Video Design). The cast is composed of Delphine Buencamino, Bong Cabrera, Herbie Go, and Ethan King.
In its 47th theater season—subtitled Amihan at Habagat: Tensions In Climate, Dulaang UP continues to look into how Filipinos navigate political and ecological precarity.
Mga Anak ng Unos will run on on March 28 to 30, April 4 to 6, and April 11 to 13 at the IBG-KAL Theater, University of the Philippines Diliman.
Tickets are P1000 (regular), P800 (PWDs/senior citizens), P750 (non-UP students), and P650 (UP Community for March 28 to April 6 and April 13), which can be purchased through the group’s Google form or via Ticket2Me.
4. TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA BY MINTEATRO
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MINTeatro is set to stage Shakespeare’s Two Gentlemen of Verona on March 28, 29 and April 4, 5 at 7 PM, with March 29 and April 5 having matinee shows at 3 PM, at the Playhouse, 2F, CIP Building, McKinley Hill.
Directed by Nelsito Gomez, the play follows friends Valentine and Proteus as they travel to Milan, where Valentine falls for Silvia. Proteus, despite already loving Julia, also becomes infatuated with Silvia and betrays Valentine to win her over. Meanwhile, Julia disguises herself as a pageboy and follows Proteus, leading to a web of deception and conflict.
The cast features Miguel Salaya as Proteus, Nicolo Meily as Valentine, Dani Roque as Julia, Amber Sabino as Silvia, G Roi Reyno as Launce, Ysh Bautista as Thurio, Huil Bryan Lee as Antonio and Duke of Milan, Juan Dela Cruz as Panthino, Eglamour, and First Outlaw, Soga Phiabrielle as Speed, Host, and Second Outlaw, Jaz Elman as Lucetta and Third Outlaw, and Kisses as Crab.
Tickets are P500, which can be purchased through the group’s Google Form.
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