4 University-Based Productions this February 2025
This February, you can catch four university-based productions staged across three different universities: two musicals, one play with music, and one straight play.
1. NIYEBE: ISANG MUSIKAL BY FEU THEATER GUILD
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The FEU Theater Guild (FTG) is set to stage an adaptation of Gabriel García Márquez’s short story as an experimental musical titled Niyebe: Isang Musikal, marking the organization’s first production of its 91st season.
Featuring music and musical direction by Vince Lim, with Jesus Singh III (IAS ‘17) assisting with additional guidance and vocal coaching, choreography by Carlon Matobato, and adaptation, lyrics, and direction by Dudz Teraña, the show will run from February 12 to March 27, 2025, at the FEU Center for the Arts Studio.
Against the backdrop of Europe’s harsh winter, Niyebe: Isang Musikal tells the tragic story of newlyweds Billy Sanchez and Nena Deconte, whose honeymoon turns into a nightmare. A small scrape on Nena’s finger leads to her sudden death. Stranded in a foreign land, Billy grapples with solitude, grief, and despair, forced to confront profound questions about existence, purpose, and identity in the wake of his wife’s passing. Meanwhile, he battles relentless bureaucracy, which ultimately denies him the chance to see his wife one last time.
The musical production features student cast members: RB Pascua (IAS ‘25) and Dave Bambang (IARFA ‘29) as Billy Sanchez, Kesiah Eunice Aritao (IAS ‘25) and Brigitta Claire Marilla (IAS ‘25) as Nena Deconte, and Aaron Bayani (FIT ‘25) as the Narrator.
“Niyebe isn’t just a love story; it’s a reflection of how the fragility of happiness and loss can spiral into a deep existential crisis,” says Teraña. “Reimagined as an experimental play, it employs a unique narrative style while delving into societal issues such as class disparity, which inspired García Márquez’s original work. Much like his other works, it speaks on existentialism, the questioning of one’s purpose after a sudden loss, and the wanting of escapism triggered by this loss.”
Rounding up the Artistic Team are Kirstan Orbegoso (Production Design; IAS ‘28), Margarita Barrameda (Costume Design; IAS ‘26), Kristian Samson (Technical Head; IAS ‘26), Arvin Javier (Lighting Design; IAS ‘28), Gab Lazaro (Sound Design; FIT ‘ > 27), and Shawn Tarala (Video Projecions; IAS ‘27).
Niyebe: Isang Musikal will run on the following dates:
February: 12-13, 19-22, 26-28
March: 1, 5-8, 12-15, 19-22, 26-27
Prices are 100 PHP for the FEU Community, 300 PHP for student Guests, 500 PHP for Regulars, and 700 PHP for VIPs.
For reservations and inquiries, contact the FTG through their social media pages:
Facebook: Far Eastern University Theater Guild<
Instagram & Tiktok: @feutheaterguildofficial
Twitter: @ftg1934
Website: https://feutheaterguild.com
2. SINTANG DALISAY BY ARETÉ IN COLLABORATION WITH TANGHALANG ATENEO
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Sintang Dalisay is set to be restaged from February 14 to 23 at the Hyundai Hall, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University. It is produced by Areté, the newest member of Philstage, in cooperation with Tanghalang Ateneo.
The show is a Filipino adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, fusing the translation of National Artist Rolando S. Tinio with a 1904 poem by G.D. Roke. It is directed by the late Ricardo G. Abad, who had helmed the production since its premiere in 2011. For this latest staging, Guelan Varela-Luarca joins him as co-director.
The cast features the return of Maliana Beran and Karl Borromeo as the star-crossed lovers, Jamila and Rashiddin. Joining them are an ensemble of members, alumni, and professional theater artists: Jerome Dawis, Fred Layno, James Reyes, Yani Lopez, Sophia Alba, Nicole Chua, Sachi Dris, Roldine Ebrada, Ian Beriña, Kaiser Cortina, Joaquin De Los Santos, Paul Felias, Philippe Reyes, Catherine Valentin, and Maxine Ventura.
Tickets are priced at P1,200 for the General Public and P600 for Ateneo de Manila University Community and faculty and students from partner schools for Orchestra seats. Balcony seats are P800 for the General Public and P600 for the Ateneo de Manila University Community and faculty and students from partner schools. They can be purchased online through the company’s Google Form.
3. KABLE-KABLE BY MEDIARTRIX-UST
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MEDIARTRIX – UST will be staging its newest original musical, Kable-Kable, on February 11 (10 AM, 1 PM, 4 PM, 7 PM), February 12 (10 AM, 2 PM, 5 PM), and February 15 (10 AM, 1 PM, 3:30 PM, 6:30 PM) at the UST Albertus Magnus Building, 4th Floor Auditorium.
Written by Alexander Isaiah Samonte and Liara Elisha Turano, and directed by Enrico Byron Sacramento and Jeri Aliana Ramos, this two-act musical features 10 original songs performed by a live band.
Kable-Kable is a tale that explores the blurred lines between light and darkness, truth and lies. It is a story of hope and solidarity, overcoming the chains of social inequality that block the path to freedom—echoing the Philippines’ struggle to break free from the shackles of colonialism.
Set in the dystopian world of Bayan ng Silawan, where the Glare serves as a sanctuary from the monsters lurking in the shadows, the story follows Eli, a Glare Knight who has dedicated his life to serving and protecting the light. However, his devotion is put to the test when the town faces its greatest despair: the destruction of the Glare.
As Samonte describes it, “Kable-Kable is essentially about the complexities of our entangled lives,” encapsulating the essence of the story. He shares that life is not as simple as it seems—our lives and struggles are interconnected, with one problem pulling on another until everything descends into chaos. Like tangled cables, the dilemmas of different people often intertwine, becoming harder to resolve the longer they are ignored.
Tickets are priced at P250 for Early Bird (E-Ticket; valid for all 10 AM shows), P350 for Regular, P300 for UST Alumni, and P900 for a Trio Bundle.
4. ABYE BY ARTISTANG ARTLETS
Written by Kyte Villanueva and directed by Parpati Chelsea Derla, Abye will run on February 22, with time slots at 12 PM, 2 PM, 4 PM, and 6 PM at the UST Benavides Auditorium, JHS Building.
Ang pinakahihintay na araw ng kasal ng isang babae sa kanyang nobyo ng limang taon, kahit na gaano kaplanado ang lahat, may hindi siya inaasahan na mangyayari sa harap ng Altar.
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