ICYMI: Dulaang UP’s 48th season brings the stage back home
ICYMI: Dulaang UP’s 48th season brings the stage back home
SINEGANG.ph published this press release as shared by Dulaang UP. No staff writer participated in writing this article.
In a time of political and societal uncertainty, the stage as a space for creative expression and social critique becomes more important than ever. And for Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (Dulaang UP), criticality has always been the reason why the show must go on.
Fresh off the success of its previous theatre season Amihan at Habagat, Dulaang UP asks us Paano umuwi nang may pagpapasya?
Launching in November 2025, the season emphasizes the legacy of Dulaang UP as a place for both learning and exploration. “Ang aking tungkulin bilang bagong Artistic Director ng Dulaang UP ay ang tumugon sa ating komunidad (My role as the new Artistic Director of Dulaang UP is to look at the needs of the community,)” shares Robert Arlo Deguzman, Theatre Arts assistant professor and Dulaang UP’s new artistic director. He succeeds performance artist Issa Manalo Lopez, who held the position for three years.
Deguzman adds that part of his job is to oversee productions that showcase the hardships and triumphs of Filipinos. “Ang paglikha ng mga gawa na hindi lamang sumasalamin sa realidad ng ating bayan kundi itinutungo tayo sa mga lugar na may saya, lungkot, kung saan maaari tayong maging mapangahas sa pagtatanong (Creating works that not only mirror the realities of our motherland, but also bring us to places of happiness and sadness, where we ask ourselves the hard questions.)”
The season’s first production, Para kay Tony: Tungo sa Ginintuang Alaala, is a twin-bill showcasing two plays that honor National Artist and Professor Emeritus Antonio “Tony” Mabesa’s legacy. The first show is a staging of Kalahating Oras sa Isang Kumbento by legendary Filipino playwright Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero as translated by Lilia F. Antonio. The story follows Yolanda, a student at a convent school, who seeks comfort and companionship after being expelled. UP Diliman Theatre Arts student Lloyd Sarmiento Uy serves as director, alongside director-mentor Erika Estacio.
The second half of Para kay Tony is a take on National Artist Rolando Tinio’s May Katwiran ang Katwiran. The plot centers on Senyor, a wealthy haciendero who persuades his servant to join him on a journey across the mountains. Along the way, they encounter obstacles that threaten their survival. The staging is led by Theatre Arts student MJ Briones with director-mentor Charles Yee. Uy and Briones’ directing debuts with DUP also highlight Para kay Tony’s focus on the political and artistic position of UP Diliman students.
Following Para Kay Tony, the season continues in early 2026 with Ang Kaliitan ng Kasalukuyan, an original piece written by Deguzman. The play will focus on the experience of diasporic Filipinos, exploring how one contemplates their origins and connections to the community.
“Ang Dulaang UP ay itinuturing kong ili o espasyo na pwedeng balik-balikan tuwing nais maranasan ang isang tahanang malapit sa puso (I treat Dulaang UP as a space one can go back to every time they want a home close to the heart.)” said Assistant Professor Roger Federico about the season.
This season is also Federico’s first term as Dulaang UP’s managing director, following Virgin Labfest director and theatre artist Tess Jamias’ two-year stint. Both Deguzman and Federico were involved in previous Dulaang UP productions, which informed their decision to highlight the stage as a space to call home.
This 48th theatre season is part of a multi-year initiative building to Dulaang UP’s 50th anniversary. Established in 1976, Dulaang UP is the official theatre and production arm of the Department of Speech Communication and Theater Arts at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
For further information, contact dulaangup.upd@up.edu.ph. Sponsorship inquiries such as show buying, audience sponsorship, and bulk tickets may be addressed to Ms. Anna Gamboa through the same email or through dulaangup_sponsorship.upd@up.edu.ph. Dulaang UP may also be reached through phone at (02) 898 18500 loc 2449.
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