Gantimpala Theater presents a darker El Fili

MANILA, Philippines - Gantimpala Theater continues paying homage to the 150th birthday celebration of Dr. Jose Rizal as it stages its second play offering in line with its 34th theater season El Filibusterismo, with new directors Jose Jeffrey Camañag and Andre Tiangco.

Director Camañag relates, “El Filibusterismo, whose alternate title is The Reign of Greed, is a very dark novel, it was set in a dark time, written during the dark days of the Spanish tyranny, the themes progression is wheeled by an unseen dark force, a force that is so powerful that it controls even the characters trivial actions and choices that often lead to nothing but tragic endings. This unseen and destructive force is greed.”

“It is the intention of this production to reconstruct the face of greed as painted by the great Jose Rizal in this novel and to resonate Rizal’s definition of greed as the key evil that chains and enslaves the mind, heart and soul of a society away from the real path toward genuine freedom,” Camañag continues.

“Through creative staging, powerful visuals, clear storytelling and moving music, we hope to usher and challenge the audience especially the students who will be watching this show as an aid to their curriculum, to look beyond the entertaining value of our production and try to listen to the remarkable messages embedded in Don Simoun’s confessions to Padre Florentino,” states Camañag.

Giving life to the immortal characters of El Filibusterismo are Roeder Camañag (Don Simoun/Mr. Leeds); Joe Gruta (Padre Florentino); Paolo ‘O Hara (Kabesang Tales); Ku Aquino (Padre Camorra); Mondrian Sampang (Padre Salvi); Dante Balois (Tata Selo/ Don Custodio); Alfred Urieta and Francis Cruz III (alternately portraying Basilio); Hazel Orencio (Juli/Pepay); Kristian Chua (Isagani); Flerida Capiral (Donya Victorina); Anna Deroca (Paulita Gomez); Jun- Jun Quintana (Juanito Pelaez); and Noel Escondo and Raymond Talavera (alternately playing Placido Penitente/Imuthis).

Providing artistic and technical assistance to directors Camañag and Tiangco are Jomar Fleras (playwright), Andy Villareal (light designer), Charyl Chan-de Guzman (production manager), Mae Bueta-Chavez (stage manager) and Tony Espejo (artistic director).

Gantimpala Theater’s El Filibusterismo is supported by the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), Jimm’s 7-in-1 Coffee and Ever Bilena.

Performances are on Aug. 21, 7 p.m., Concert at the Park Open Air Auditorium in Luneta, Manila; Aug. 26  and 27, Sept. 2 and 3, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., at the AFP Theater, Quezon City; and Sept. 9  and 10  at the Cinema 3, SM Southmall, Las Piñas City.

For details, call the Gantimpala Marketing Office at 899-5911 and 998-5622.