“From the beginning of the Ateneo’s institution, the classical Spanish drama and religious plays and pageants were cultivated with marked success. No year passed without one or two major productions,” wrote Fr. Repetti, SJ on Ateneo’s rich tradition in dramatics.
From the first Ateneo-produced play on record (during the commencement exercises of 1874), up to the plays now being produced by the Ateneo Children’s Theater (grade school), Dulaang Sibol (high school), and Tanghalang Ateneo, Entablado, and Blue Repertory (Loyola school), students have been prolific in putting out plays that entertain, delight, educate, and inspire.
As a segment of the Ateneo de Manila High School’s participation in the sesquicentennial celebration, Dulaang Sibol presents From Shylock to Serapio in Sibol.
The production showcases the high school’s journey from borrowed English plays to original plays; from the trial scene in William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, the first major Ateneo High School production in 1957, to Paul Dumol’s Ang Paglilitis ni Mang Serapio, the first major winner in the AHS’ second Paligsahang Pandulaan in 1968.
The trial scene from The Merchant of Venice stars Romar Chuca (2M) as Shylock, Paeng Valenzuela (4A) as Antonio, and Gabi Perez (4K) as Portia. These performers are currently Ateneo de Manila High School students and members of Dulaang Sibol.
Ang Paglilitis Ni Mang Serapio stars Jet Pacapac as Serapio and Justin Aquino as the Unang Tagapagtanong. Pacapac and Aquino are Dulaang Sibol alumni who are now in college.
Performances are on Jan. 23 and 24, 6:30 p.m., at the Tanghalang Pagsanghan in the Ateneo High School campus, Loyola Heights. Tickets are at P150 each.