8 University-Based Productions this March 2025
This March, you can catch eight university-based productions—six plays and two musicals—staged across different universities in Metro Manila and Laguna.
1. JUAN TAMBAN BY PUP TANGHALANG MOLAVE
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PUP Tanghalang Molave (PUP TM) stages Malou Jacob’s Juan Tamban on March 11-13, 2025 (10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 4:00 PM) at the PUP Theater, COC Compound, Anonas St., Sta. Mesa, Manila.
The play was initially staged by the PETA Kalinangan Ensemble in 1979 and won Second Prize in the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature.
The story centers on a boy named Juan Tamban who was reported in the newspapers as eating cockroaches and lizards to attract attention. Marina Torres, a graduate student and a social worker, investigates his case as part of her master’s thesis and in the process, comes face-to-face with the reality of Juan, his family and environment, the society, and herself.
Directed by Victor Deseo, together with Novelyn Nalic and Miguel Decena as his assistant directors, Juan Tamban continues to challenge the ongoing struggles related to child poverty in the country.
The cast features of a pool of actors from the BPeA program: Dave Del Socorro in the titular role of Juan Tamban; Shenah Mae Dizon, Frances Marie Akol, and Perssian Austria alternating as Marina Torres; and Art Cristobal as Mang Tino; Clark Suva, Andrea Contreras, Fernando Jose Pabeloña, Paul Cariaga, Myx Cayabyab, Analyn Marasigan, Aubrey Ga, and Ymanuel Puno as Principal Ensemble Members; and Al Paul Crieta, Hashie Rodolfo, and Koleen Albero as Core Ensemble Members.
Tickets are at 50 pesos (PUPian audiences) and 100 pesos (non-PUPians/Alumni/Guests) which can be purchased through the social media platform of PUP Tanghalang Molave or through the group’s Google Form.
2. DULA SALLE 2k24: CANDELABRA BY DLSU HARLEQUIN THEATRE GUILD
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For its 58th season, the DLSU Harlequin Theatre Guild (DLSU-HTG) is set to stage DuLa Salle 2k24: Candelabra from March 13-15, 2025 at the Natividad Fajardo-Rosario Gonzalez Auditorium, De La Salle University – Manila. The production comprises four one-act plays, all of which are adapted from the poems of DLSU Literature professor, Mr. Mesandel Arguelles, all written by DLSU-HTG’s homegrown writers. All four stories are set in Candelaria, Quezon Province, which revolve around the lives and salvation of the people of Candelaria.
The show will run on March 13, 2:30 PM and 6:30 PM, March 14, 10 AM, 2:30 PM, and 6:30 PM, and March 15, 10 AM and 2:30 PM. Tickets can be purchased through the group’s Google Form or through Ticket2Me.
3. BRILYANTE: ANG KABOGERANG BAKLAAN MUSICAL BY UPLB
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The University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) will be staging the original musical, Brilyante: Ang Kabogerang Baklaan Musical, on March 13, 7 PM, March 14, 2 PM and 7 PM, and March 15, 2 PM and 7 PM, at the D.L. Umali Hall, UPLB.
The group calls it “a vibrant and heartfelt queer musical” brought to life by the BA Communication Arts students and co-presented by the UPLB Department of Humanities, UPLB Gender Center, and UPLB Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA). Directed, produced, and musically arranged by Aldrin Bula, and written by Sam Albert Medina and Angelica Joy Camacho, the musical explores themes of self-expression, identity, queer empowerment, and Catholic Christian devotion through a narrative set in the contemporary urban landscape.
Featuring Jessie Huyo-a (Harley), Meg Guiang (Happy), Rem Tanael (Gemma), and Ickzy Bael (Cheska), it follows the story of a young baklang kanal’s journey of self-discovery as they grapple with their local beauty pageant cancellation due to religious backlash. It asks—how do queer people break free from the shackles of internalized homophobia, is there space for a wholehearted Catholic Christian devotion that is unapologetically queer—and other such challenging questions, but through a comedy musical infused with energy that is the signature of the Filipino queerness. Brilyante spotlights the voices and stories that have long been the beating heart of Filipino popular culture, but remains to be marginalized in Philippine society: the baklang kanal.
The creative team includes Roy Padrid for set design, Zeril Manaois for stage management, John Patrick O. Bernabe and Bernie Planco for dramaturgy, Gabriel Nafura, Red Cortez, Shania Pajarillo, Jessie Huyo-a, and Ickzy Bael for movement and choreography, Enzo Nadonga for costume and make-up design, Jefferson Macaraig for graphic design, Ju Petalver-Rivera for lighting design, Diane Inocencio for sound design, Ton Wagan and Elijah Torio for audio engineering, and Marielle Apurado for technical direction. The band is composed of Aldrin Bula and Isaiah Cordilla on keyboard, Carl Kristoffer Hugo on guitar, Marie Fraulein Rojas on bass guitar, Giulz Cantar on drums, and El Win Paglingayen and Matt Alarcon on the violins.
The group calls the musical “…a celebration and a protest of the Filipino queer and women community towards a more inclusive society and for the passage of gender-responsive legislations such as the SOGIESC Equality Bill, and the creative team behind the show invites everyone to be part of this groundbreaking moment in UPLB’s cultural history.”
For ticket inquiries, contact sales manager Dy Jimenez via email at brilyantemusical@gmail.com or via text at 0967 436 3555.
4. NIYEBE: ISANG MUSIKAL BY FEU THEATER GUILD
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The FEU Theater Guild (FTG)’s Niyebe: Isang Musikal continues to run until March 27 at the FEU Center for the Arts Studio.
Adapted from Gabriel García Márquez’s short story, it 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 creative team includes Vince Lim for music and musical direction, Jesus Singh III for additional guidance and vocal coaching, Carlon Matobato for choreography, and Dudz Teraña for adaptation, lyrics, and direction. Rounding up the 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).
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.
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
5. THE WOUNDS REMAIN: A MEMOIR OF MARTIAL LAW BY TEATRO LASALLIANA
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In commemoration of the EDSA People Power Revolution I Anniversary, Teatro Lasalliana will be staging The Wounds Remain: A Memoir of Martial Law on March 26-29, 2025 at DLSU-D Tanghalang Julian Felipe. Written by Chris Millado, Guelan Varela-Luarca, Kanakan-Balintagos, and Erika Estacio, and directed by Mr. Nazer Salcedo, the show is a collection of plays that recount the harrowing experiences and struggles of Filipinos during Martial Law under Ferdinand Marcos’ regime. Through diverse characters and settings, these stories weave together a narrative of resilience.
For further details, follow TEATRO Lasalliana on Facebook and on Instagram.
6. MGA ANAK NG UNOS BY DULAANG UP
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Dulaang UP’s Mga Anak ng Unos is a twin bill that looks into pressing issues regarding the climate crisis. Both plays underscore the urgency of the ecological emergencies the world is facing today. The show will launch under the DUP Innovate banner, a laboratory platform for developing new and original works from Filipino theatre practitioners.
Sa Gitna ng Digmaan ng mga Mahiwagang Nilalang Laban sa Sangkatauhan, written by Joshua Lim So under the direction of José Estrella, follows the bathalas and other mythological creatures amidst a war waged against humans for destroying the sacred earth.
The Climate Project (working title), directed by Issa Manalo Lopez and Tess Jamias is a performance of devised montages that takes off from David Finnigan’s Scenes from the Climate Era and intersects with folklore, documentation, and scientific data on climate.
The show 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 P1,000 (regular price) and P800 (PWD/senior citizens). Tickets can be reserved through the group’s Google Form.
7. 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.
8. 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.
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