WATCH: ‘Bagong Tagpo’ Series Now Online

WATCH: ‘Bagong Tagpo’ Series Now Online

Bagong Tagpo is Tanghalang Pilipino’s new online series that provides audiences the opportunity to see how the company develops a production.

The online initiative was launched last August with Heneral Rizal, a monologue written by Floro Quibuyen starring Tanghalang Pilipino’s Artistic Director Nanding Josef, under the direction of Chuck Gutierrez, followed by Anton Juan’s The Price of Redemption, featuring performances from the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company (AC), under the direction of Missy Maramara and Chuck Gutierrez, last September.

From October 15 to 17, the series released 3 new online plays that have been the product of the company’s recent iKapwa Playwriting workshop. Entitled Kapit-WIFI, Ang Hinihintay Naming…, and PM is the Key, these plays mirror the different realities faced by Filipinos during this pandemic. Apart from featuring the members of the AC in the cast, this month’s Bagong Tagpo also marks some of their directorial debuts.

“Kapit-WIFI” sees the middle-class household of mother Linda and her daughter Berna looking for means to sustain themselves in the unprecedented effects of quarantine. With the scare of unemployment and health hazards, they are looking for a reprieve with a job opportunity and a little bit of help from their neighbor’s wi-fi connection. Mae Paner stars as Linda, while Actors Company apprentice Eunice Pacia plays her daughter, Berna. “Kapit-WIFI” is written by Reena Medina and is also Actors Company senior member JV Ibesate’s directorial debut.

In “Ang Hinihintay Naming…”, Private School teachers Tala and Griselda are running out of resources as the massive metro lockdown draws near, and are arduously waiting for their long-overdue salaries to be released. Will they move to acquire their salary or will they fold? “Ang Hinihintay Naming…” is written by Ian Jay Formacion starring Actors Company senior members Antonette Go as Tala and Doray Dayao as Griselda. The production is directed by Actors Company apprentice Silvester Bagadiong.

AC senior member Jonathan Tadioan stars in a play about a father and a son looking for work while under quarantine by any means necessary in “PM is the Key”, written by Alyette Ang. Tadioan portrays Mang Ben, with AJ Benoza as his son Jasper, and Jo Anne Requiestas as Aling Josie. “PM is the Key” marks the directorial debut of Actors Company senior member Lhorvie Nuevo.

All 3 plays will be available online until October 31.