{"id":24591,"date":"2019-07-25T09:00:58","date_gmt":"2019-07-25T01:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/event\/?p=24591"},"modified":"2019-07-26T17:37:58","modified_gmt":"2019-07-26T09:37:58","slug":"tanghalang-pilipino-opens-33rd-season-with-a-re-run-of-mabining-mandirigma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/event\/2019\/07\/25\/tanghalang-pilipino-opens-33rd-season-with-a-re-run-of-mabining-mandirigma\/","title":{"rendered":"Tanghalang Pilipino Opens 33rd Season with a Re-run of Mabining Mandirigma"},"content":{"rendered":"

Staying true to its vision of providing audiences with high-caliber productions that reflect the challenges faced by Filipinos, Tanghalang Pilipino<\/strong> brought anew its highly acclaimed musical\u2014Mabining Mandirigma\u2014<\/strong>starting this\u00a0August 16, 2019<\/strong>\u00a0at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Also read:\u00a0Cultural Center of the Philippines Celebrates 50th Anniversary<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The production, which was first played four years ago, will serve as the\u00a033rd season opener<\/strong>\u00a0for the Tanghalang Pilipino. It is kicking off with the casting of veteran theater actress\u00a0Monique Wilson<\/strong>\u00a0as\u00a0Apolinario Mabini<\/strong>, the lead titular character, in this year\u2019s run.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Musical<\/strong><\/p>\n

The play explores the importance of the Filipino word \u201cmabini<\/em>,\u201d which translates to \u201cgenteel\u201d or \u201cgentle,\u201d displaying the warrior spirit that belies Mabini\u2019s paralytic body and a principled character so difficult to be compromised.<\/p>\n

It highlights the hero\u2019s militancy that others fail to notice as they often described the polio-laden hero as a \u201csublime paralytic,\u201d a reductionist and simplistic title that does not do justice to the hero\u2019s legacy.<\/p>\n

To make the production more interesting, the play takes on the steampunk genre, a sub-genre of speculative fiction, as it depicts the life of Mabini in 1898 where he served as an Adviser, Cabinet President, and first Foreign Minister to President Emilio Aguinaldo.<\/p>\n

A female Mabini<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mabini, for sure and in all ways, was a man, so why cast a female actor to character Mabini\u2019s role as the production\u2019s prima donna? Tanghalang Pilipino said: \u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n

The theater company explained that the hero was an \u201cothers\u201d during his time because of his condition. He somehow shared the same status that Filipino women endured during that period.<\/p>\n

\"\"Monique Wilson as Apolinario Mabini<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the reasons for this non-traditional casting is that his idea of \u2018othering\u2019 would be further explored and would be best \u2018experienced\u2019 in a musical when you hear an alto amidst the tenors and basses,\u201d the Tanghalang Pilipino said, noting that Monique will play Mabini.<\/p>\n

For Wilson, taking the role of the famous statesman in an innovative, radically creative, and deeply rooted revolutionary musical was already a “fulfillment of a life’s dream.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis excited me more than anything because we need artistic works like these in these politically and socially perilous times more than ever before,\u201d shared Wilson, who was last seen as an ingenue onstage for playing Maria Clara in the 1995 musical adaptation of Noli Me Tangere<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am hugely honored to be invited by Tanghalang Pilipino to play the role of Mabini, and to be working with the best and most radical creative artists in the industry,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

According to the 49-year-old actress, she feels motivated doing the Tanghalang Pilipino\u2019s season opener especially with its theme urging the viewers to fight for equality, justice, human rights, and national sovereignty, and to strive for the preservation of cultural heritage and protection of children against exploitation, abuses, and bigotry.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is not only the deepest honor, but the most profound duty, to be called to do what we can contribute to [the] creative resistance and to the awakening of political and social consciousness through art and theater,\u201d she said, stressing the need to free oneself from the \u201cwar waging inside our minds and hearts\u201d today.<\/p>\n

What to expect this year<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite being in its fourth rerun, Mabining Mandirigma still proves to be \u201cvery relevant\u201d following the recent turn of events in the world.<\/p>\n

When asked what makes the stage play \u201cdifferent\u201d from other musicals, Ejay Yatco\u2014<\/strong>who joins to deliver fresh sound and sweet-sounding direction as the new musical director\u2014<\/strong>stressed that the interplay between the historical and contemporary will make the play stand out among others.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cIt takes a beloved piece of our history added with a modern twist to resound with Filipino audiences especially the youth,\u201d Yatco said, pointing out the inclusion of a new rap number, which viewers need to \u201cwatch out\u201d for.<\/p>\n

The said musical was first staged in July 2015 starring Delphine Buencamino<\/strong>, while former TP Associate Artistic Director Liesl Batucan<\/strong> and actress Hazel Maranan<\/strong> took over in the subsequent stagings.<\/p>\n

With its successful three runs, Mabining Mandirigma was chosen to be among the recipients of the 12 Gawad Buhay Awards, including the Outstanding Musical Award in the 8th Philstage Gawad Buhay in 2016.<\/p>\n

\"\"CCP\u2019s Vice President and Artistic Director Chris Millado<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The said production is headed by CCP\u2019s Vice President and Artistic Director Chris Millado<\/strong> as director, Joed Balsamo<\/strong> as composer, and Yatco<\/strong> as musical director.<\/p>\n

Aside from Wilson, young tenors Arman Ferrer<\/strong> and David Ezra<\/strong>\u00a0will also be included in the musical as they play Emilio Aguinaldo.<\/p>\n

Kamalayang Pilipino<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

With the theme “Kamalayang Pilipino<\/em>” (Filipino Consciousness), the new season exemplifies the intrinsic quality of Filipinos through four separate productions, including Mabining Mandirigma, which will be staged until March 2020.<\/p>\n

The plays aim to showcase the values of Filipinos, who have deep-rooted concern and respect for their country, the Philippine heritage, and their fellowmen.<\/p>\n

The other three productions are:\u00a0Katsuri (Of Mice and Men)\u00a0<\/strong>(October 4 to 27, 2019 ), which\u00a0<\/strong>is about the friendship grown from two unlikely characters and the circumstances that came with it;\u00a0Lam-Ang <\/strong>(November 29 to December 15, 2019), which depicts the life and journey of the famous Ilocano hero; and\u00a0Batang Mujahideen<\/strong>\u00a0(February 21 to March 8, 2020), which talks about the hardships of young soldiers who are forced to battle in the Muslim-Christian conflict in Mindanao.<\/p>\n

Also read:\u00a0Cinemalaya Unveils Official Film Entries for Its 15th Edition<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

On the other hand, showcasing the use of modern elements such as steampunk music and fliptop rap, the fourth run of Mabining Mandirigma will be a tribute to the late fashion and costume designer James Reyes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The so-called steampunk musical will be staged at the CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater)<\/strong> from August 16 until September 1<\/strong>.\u00a0Buy your tickets here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For more information, visit the TP on Facebook<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0email them at tanghalangpilipinomarketing@gmail.com.\u00a0For ticket reservations, group sales, and special performances, contact Tanghalang Pilipino at 0999-884-3821, 0915-607-2275, or 02-832-1125, local 1621.<\/em><\/p>\n

Details<\/strong><\/p>\n

What: <\/strong>Mabining Mandirigma: A Steampunk Musical
\nWhere:\u00a0<\/strong>Little Theater, Cultural Center of the Philippines,\u00a0CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd, Pasay City
\nWhen: <\/strong>August 16 to September 1, 2019
\nTickets:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Php 1,500
\nPhp 1,000<\/p>\n