MANILA, Philippines - Gantimpala Theater caps its 34th season with Francisco Balagtas’ Florante at Laura, one of the most enduring Filipino literary masterpieces described by many as a poetic art that examines the nature of justice, truth and commitment to fairness, written into a play by award-winning and respected playwright Boni Ilagan, with the brothers Roeder and Jose Jeffrey Camañag as its directors.
“Boni Ilagan wrote such a superb script!” exclaims director Camañag. “His interpretation of the classic focuses on the many facets of love — from its purest form to its most corrupted version. His understanding of Balagtas’ words allows audiences the opportunities to witness Florante’s encounters with love — his love for knowledge, his love for his parents, his brotherly love for his best friend Minandro, his romantic love for Laura, his love for his enemies, and ultimately, the love for his country and the Higher Cause.”
“We are highlighting the beauty of the language and the elements of komedya,” he continues. “What we give the public now is a tribute to Florante and Laura, as literary characters, a tribute to Francisco Balagtas and his mastery of the Tagalog language, and a tribute to the komedya, which is a true Filipino theater form. Majority of my cast are members of Gantimpala’s Actor’s Company. I think I have chosen a formidable group. All of them are doing very well. We are pushing them, bringing out their best.”
Alternately playing the Albanian prince Florante are Yutaka Yamalawa and Rafa Esplana. Ellrica Laguardia portrays Laura, princess and Florante’s sweetheart.
“If I were to describe my leads as elements, Yutaka is more water, he moves fluidly on stage, and has a regal quality in the timbre of his voice. The emotions he displays, it runs deep,” says Roeder. “Rafa is air. He is unpredictable yet very potent while Ellrica is fire, passionate, fiery and strikingly beautiful.”
Completing the characters are Arkin Da Silva and Alfred Urieta (alternately playing Adolfo/Makata), Gilbert Bacolod (Haring Linceo/Balagtas), Tess Jamias (Reyna Floresca), Billy Parjan (Duke Briseo), Leo Ponseca (Aladin), Wenah Nagales (Flerida), Benjie Cayetano (Sultan Ali-Adab), Paul Jake Paule (Minandro), Ronald Concepcion (Antenor), Michael King Urieta and Rayond Talavera (Batang Florante/Batang Adolfo alternates) and Julius Empredo (Osmalik).
Helping the brothers Camañag realize the warring world of Moors and Christians are Andy Villareal (lights designer), Joey de Guzman (Set Designer), Toni Muñoz (music designer), Meyo de Jesus (video Designer). Ian de Leon (choreographer), Charyl Chan de Guzman (production manager), Luis Galang (stage manager).
The National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), Jimms-7-in-1 Coffee and Everbilena support Gantimpala Theater’s Florante at Laura.
Performances are slated Nov. 18 and 19 (10 a.m./2 p.m.) at the AFP Theater, Quezon City and Nov. 25 and 26 (11 a.m./2 p.m.) at Cinema 3, SM Southmall, Las Piñas City.
For tickets, call the Gantimpala Marketing Office at 899-5911/899-5745/998-5622. Visit www.gantimpalatheater.multiply.com and www.facebook.com/gantimpala.