University-Based Theater Productions Online this July 2021

For this month of July, you can stream Ateneo Entablado’s Tuko.exe:SystemUpdate, an online adaptation based on the original play Ang Sistema ni Propesor Tuko by Al Santos. While the original was written during the Martial law regime of the Marcos administration, Tuko.exe:SystemUpdate is set during a global health crisis that has forced millions of students to continue their education from home amidst a nationwide lockdown.

The story follows Ningning and her friends Kiko, Bodyok, and Bondying who are now forced to attend class together online. One day, adding to the already burdensome experience of online learning is the sudden absence of their most loved adviser, Miss Jackie. They hear on that same day that the assigned substitute teacher is a mysterious Mister Tuko. Anxious on what to expect, the class stalks him online, and the class is left baffled yet wonder at the ardent declaration in his social media profile: “The Brighter Future is here!”

The adaptation is written by Adrian Soriano, with dramaturgy by Joaquin Umlas and Lars Salamante, production design by James Oriña, sound design and music by Sam Juada, lighting design by Hannah Bayona, and video editing by Mikko Angeles. It is directed by Fitz Edward Bitana, who is assisted by Paulo Alviar.

Tickets are at P250 (General Admission) and P275 (General Admission + Souvenir Program). The play started streaming last July 12 and will be available to stream until July 23. You can buy tickets at ktx.ph.