Areté’s ‘Subversive Lives’ Brings the Quimpo Family’s Martial Law Story to the Stage
Following its rerun of Quomodo Desolata Es?, Areté opens its 2026 season with the theme, Sa Parang ng Digma, featuring shows that discuss different forms of man and society’s revolution against authoritarianism, injustice, hypocrisy, and self-interest.
This August 28, Areté is set to open Subversive Lives, a theatrical retelling of the experiences of the Quimpo family during the Martial Law era. Based on the 2012 book Subversive Lives: A Family Memoir of the Marcos Years by Susan F. Quimpo and Nathan Gilbert Quimpo, the play with music follows the Quimpo family’s sacrifices during one of the country’s most turbulent periods.
Delphine Buencamino heads the production as director and movement designer. Alongside her, an ensemble of actor-devisers playing the ten siblings (as well as all other roles) encounter the book and bring it to life: Gino Ramirez (Para Kay B, Ctrl+Shift: Monito Monita), Neomi Gonzales (Walang Aray, Himala: Isang Musikal), Chic de Guzman (Sidhi’t Silakbo, Desaparesidos), Teetin Villanueva (Into the Woods, Mula Sa Buwan), Liway Perez (Man of La Mancha, Shrek the Musical), Jerom Canlas (Bar Boys: The Musical), Joshua Tayco (Love’s Labour’s Won, Dekada ’70), Timothy Castillo (Batang Rizal), Jerome Dawis (Sintang Dalisay, Dekada ’70), Rigel Hechanova (VLF: Ang Bata kag Ang Ilaga), Ethan King (VLF: Buhaghag), and Kyrie Samodio (Laruang Kristal, Lamay in Malaya).
Joining Buencamino on the artistic team are Cholo Ledesma (Assistant Director), Sabrina Basilio (Dramaturg and Librettist), Jose Buencamino (Composer), Arvy Dimaculangan (Sounds Designer), Jethro Nibaten (Lighting Designer), D Cortezano (Set Designer), Carlo Pagunaling (Costume and Make-up Designer), Darlyn Romanillos and Jheanne Las (Graphic Designers), and Myra Ho (Photographer).
Through memory, movement, and dynamic documentary theater, the play aims to investigate: How do the country’s wounds permeate the home? Whose brave sacrifices are remembered, and whose are forgotten? And in the continued revolutionary movement, which actions bear repeating, and which must be reshaped?
Subversive Lives will have its limited two-weekend run at the Doreen Black Box Theater, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University, from August 28 to 30 and September 4 to 6, 2026, with performances on Fridays at 7:30 PM and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 PM and 7:30 PM. Tickets are priced at ₱1,800 (Regular) and ₱1,500 and are available for purchase via Helix Pay or the company’s Google Form.
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