Manobo epic comes to life in ‘Agyu: Patungo sa Paraiso’

MANILA, Philippines - De La Salle College of St. Benilde’s Arts Management program and Siklab Productions presents Agyu: Patungo sa Paraiso, showing from Nov. 26 to 29 at the Black Box theater of DLS-CSB.

Agyu is directed by theater actress, choreographer and teacher Delphine Buencamino, who works with the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) and Tanghalang Pilipino. Performers Al Garcia, Merdin Mojica and Raflesia Bravo along with dramaturges Giselle Garcia and Amihan Ruiz work with Delphine in bringing Philippine oral tradition to the setting of modern-day Manila. Choreography will be accompanied by the original compositions of Pepe Manikan, member of the band Eternal Now and full-time faculty at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

Agyu is based on the first part (Kepunpu’un) of the Manobo epic Ulahingen that begins with a people struggling to pay taxes under a central government. Confrontation between parties causes a misunderstanding and a series of unfortunate events lead to the death of the Sultan. This forces the minor community to flee and embark on an exodus with Agyu as one of their leaders. In the midst of this journey, the character of Mungan is introduced. It is through Mungan’s struggle that mortals build a connection with the Meresew etew or diwatas. These gods meet Mungans’ family with an offer to enter paradise in exchange of overcoming certain challenges. This is their journey to Nelendangan — paradise. 

Ulahingen was selected because the artists wanted to work with a source that is deeply Filipino and rarely seen or staged. With Agyu, Siklab Productions uses Filipino literature to expand the geography of canon classics in the world of theater and to prove that our local epics are as universal and transcendent as classic staples.

For ticket inquiries and information, call Gabrielle Vizmonte at siklabproduction@gmail.com or visit facebook.com/patungosaparaiso.