‘O, Pag-ibig na Makapangyarihan,’ Exploring Oryang and Andres Bonifacio’s Love, Opens This February
The Tag-Ani Performing Arts Society will stage O, Pag-ibig na Makapangyarihan, Kapag Pumasok sa Puso Ninuman (or simply O, Pag-ibig na Makapangyarihan) starting February 7 at the Ignacio B. Gimenez-Kolehiyo ng Arte at Literatura (IBG-KAL) Theater in UP Diliman, Quezon City.
Written and directed by playwright and Tag-Ani Performing Arts Society President Bonifacio Ilagan, the play reimagines a little-known episode in the love story of Oryang and revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio. With a playfully modern twist, it dramatizes their romance as it blossomed amidst the birth of the revolution. Few, however, are aware of how tempestuous their love story had been.
This year marks the 150th birth anniversary of Gregoria “Oryang” de Jesus (May 9, 1875 – March 15, 1943). Known as the initiator and vice-president of the women’s chapter of the revolutionary underground Katipunan, Oryang was fondly called the Lakambini of the organization, which her husband Andres Bonifacio founded.
“Beyond simply showing a romantic and personal love story, it will be about the kind of love Andres Bonifacio talked about in his well-known poem, whose lyrics, sung by Chikoy Pura, will serve as the play’s theme song,” said Ilagan.
The story begins in 1893, barely a year after the founding of the underground rebel organization Katipunan by a handful of audacious activists led by Andres. Despite his busy schedule plotting against the colonial government of imperial Spain, he finds time to court the young Oryang. Due to the age gap—he is 11 years older—and her parents’ distrust of his character, they warn her against him.
Defying the norms of the time, Oryang goes against their wishes. Upon discovering this, her parents are horrified and promptly whisk her away to be detained in secrecy, much against her will. Meanwhile, Andres remains unaware of Oryang’s fate.
The cast features Pau Benitez as Gregoria “Oryang” de Jesus, Nel Estuya and Johnny Maglinao alternating as Andres Bonifacio, Angellie Nicholle R. Sanoy as Remigia, Astarte Abraham as Nanay Baltazara, Greg de Leon as Tatay Nicolas, Sheryl Leynes alternating with Jocelyn Salvania as Comadre, Ian Lomongo and Jerson Guiwa alternating as Compadre, Ahmed Maulana as Igme, Edward Allen H. Solon as Islao, Ace Hernandez as Teodoro, Joseph Briez as Asistente, Chester Curso as Guardia Civil, and Francel Go and Angelica Marcelino as Katipunero/ Taumbayan.
Joining Ilagan in the artistic team are Brian Arda (associate director), Ohm David (set designer), Geraldine Corpus (lighting designer), Carlo Bernardino (sound designer), Astarte Abraham (mime coach and movement director), and Kang Fernandez (choreographer).
The play will open on February 7 and will run on all Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays of the month at the IBG-KAL Theater in UP Diliman. Its run will conclude on March 8–9 at the Erehwon Center for the Arts. Tickets can be reserved through the company’s Google Form.
The Tag-Ani Performing Arts Society, a people’s theater company founded in 2003 by Marili Fernandez-Ilagan, has staged more than 250 performances, projects, and training programs with various mass organizations and institutions.
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