Dulaang UP Mounts Aurelio Tolentino’s ‘Bagong Cristo’
For its 42nd Theatre Season dubbed as Honoring Defiance, Dulaang UP pays homage to one of the greatest Filipino revolutionary dramatists during the turn of the 20th century, Aurelio Tolentino.
This commemoration of his birth sesquicentennial features Bagong Cristo, a proletarian reinterpretation of the story of Jesus Christ. It is directed by DUP Former Artistic Director, Alexander Cortez.
Written in 1907, this socialist drama revolves around Jesus Gatbiaya, a labor leader whose teachings empowered fellow laborers to fight against social injustice and inequality. The play shows how Christ’s passion is lived by a man who is willing to offer his life for the liberation of his people.
Boo Gabunada and the cast of Bagong Cristo
Boo Gabunada leads the cast of professional and student theatre artists as the new Christ, Jesus Gatbiaya. He is joined on stage by Rica Nepomuceno, Kleigh Amparo (as Dolores, Jesus Gatbiaya’s mother), Telle Manuel, Rachel Jacob (as Neneng), Greg De Leon (as Cabesang Andoy), Emman Mante, Niño Mendoza (as Magdangal), Gel Basa (as Doña Salud), Vincent Macapobre, Lehner Mendoza (as Berto), Nico Varona, Esteban Fulay Jr. (as Justo), Jojo Cayabyab (as Dimaliwat), Charm Aranton, Elaiza Toledo (as Biheng), Gwyn Guanzon, Randy Villarama (as Frayle), Joseph Nabong, Mandrake Ferrer (as Limbas), and the Dulaang UP Ensemble.
Director Alexander Cortez has assembled a powerhouse artistic team composed of Dexter M. Santos (choreography), Pat Valera (dramaturgy), Mitoy Sta. Ana (costumes), Meliton Roxas Jr. (lights), Virgilio Balanon II (set), Krina Cayabyab (music), Arvy Dimaculangan (sounds), and Mikko Angeles (video).
Bagong Cristo runs from November 8 to December 3 at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, 2nd Floor Palma Hall, UP Diliman, Quezon City. For ticket, show-buying, and sponsorship inquiries, you may contact Camille Guevara (0917 823 9531), the Dulaang UP Office (Tel. No. : 926-1349 / 981-8500 local / dupguevara@gmail.com ), or you may drop by the Dulaang UP Office at Palma Hall Room 136, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.
For more details about what’s happening in the Manila theater scene, please view our Theater Calendar.
