‘Garet: Pinoys in Chicago’ Opens at the NCCA this February

‘Garet: Pinoys in Chicago’ Opens at the NCCA this February

Garet: Pinoys in Chicago, an original Filipino play mounted by Dramanila Theater Production, is set to open this February at the NCCA Tanghalang Leandro V. Locsin. Written by Rey E. de la Cruz and directed by Dexjordi Lyle Sison, the production runs on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026 at 7:00 PM.

Set in Chicago, the play follows four Filipino immigrants who take turns caring for their ailing friend, Garet, who is bedridden. On a cold winter weekend, they open up about their feelings of homesickness, isolation, and disconnection, as well as their hopes, dreams, and conflicts.

Garet’s illness and impending death prompt the characters to confront their mortality, the value of their relationships, and the significance of their shared experiences. The unexpected arrival of an elderly Filipino man challenges their perspectives on life and death, raising questions about what draws them to Garet and the impact of his presence on their lives.

When asked why they decided to mount this production, Sison says, “I experienced being an OFW, even for a short period of time, and I could deeply relate to the characters in Garet: Pinoys in Chicago. When you are far from home, the people you learn to depend on most are your friends—they become your family.”

The production features Paul Jake Paule, Michelle Dayupay, Ranty Portento, Hasna Cabral, and Tonny Abad. The story explores the quiet intersections of Filipino lives in a foreign land—where memory, faith, and human connection become lifelines.

Also in the creative team with de la Cruz and Sison are Asean Gabat (sound designer), Margaux Ranjo (production designer), Nathan Nathan Cruz (lights designer), and Dyn Altiche (costume designer).

Tickets are P500 and are available via Ticket2Me.

Dramanila Theater Production is a community-driven theater group dedicated to developing original Filipino works that speak to contemporary realities. Blending grounded storytelling with intimate staging, Dramanila aims to create theater that resonates with both local and global Filipino audiences.