Tanghalang Ateneo to stage Rolando Tinio’s Filipino translation of ‘Twelfth Night’ this November
SINEGANG.ph published this press release as shared by Tanghalang Ateneo. No staff writer participated in writing this article.
Tanghalang Ateneo, the longest-running theatre company of the Loyola Schools, proudly opens its 48th season themed “VESTIGIA: Lamay at Ligalig” with Ikalabindalawang Gabi, National Artist Rolando S. Tinio’s Filipino translation of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.
In Tinio’s translation of Twelfth Night, the story explores how its characters cope in the aftermath of loss. Viola, believing her twin brother has drowned, is forced to survive alone in the foreign country of Illyria, disguising herself as a man named Cesario. Disguised as Cesario, Viola becomes entangled in a complicated web of love, as she is sent by Duke Orsino to court Lady Olivia on his behalf. Instead, Olivia falls for Cesario, while Viola begins to fall for Orsino. Meanwhile, Olivia’s household is filled with its own chaos, as Sir Toby Belch, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and Maria scheme against the stern Malvolio. When Viola’s twin brother Sebastian unexpectedly arrives in Illyria, mistaken identities and misunderstandings spiral into even greater confusion. As Viola descends into a world built on disguise and denial, identities, memories, and relationships begin to crack through. Yet beneath the mourning run the mistaken identities, mischief, and delight that make Twelfth Night one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, a play that lets you laugh and grieve in the same breath. With its witty dialogue, comedy, and exploration of love, loss, and identity, Ikalabindalawang Gabi brings together moments of mischief, singing, and dancing.
Serving as this season’s trainee production, Ikalabindalawang Gabi continues Tanghalang Ateneo’s tradition of reimagining classical works through a Filipino lens. As the season opener, it sets the tone for a season that focuses on the things that we mourn, the things that continue to trouble us, that stay with loss, that listen to what remains unsettled, and that give form to what continues to ask for our attention. For Tanghalang Ateneo’s trainees, stepping into the foreign country of Illyria is both a creative and personal journey: an opportunity to discover their voices, build community, and experience the joy of theater-making together. In revisiting Shakespeare through Tinio’s language and the perspectives of emerging artists, the production weaves tradition and new vision, showing how stories from the past can continue to speak powerfully in the present, especially in times that call us to ask ourselves what it means to remember, to stay, and to continue in the face of grief.
The production features the following:
Andie Manlusoc - Viola B
Asteri Florendo - Officer 2, Valentine
Aienne Manio - Maria B
Bea Villena - Olivia A
Gian De Los Santos - Antonio
Jeshua Cases - Duke Orsino
Jio Japson - Sebastian
Juan Miguel Ponce - Malvolio
KD San Juan - Feste
Rona Layne Badilla - Maria A
Sabel Lamadrid - Viola A
Sen Mendoza - Sir Toby
Vill Cortez - Curio/Officer 1, Priest
Yeoj De Vera - Sir Andrew
Yuhan Padsoyan - Sea Captain
Zujin Ma - Olivia B
The production is directed by Miel Barrera Abong, working with the following members of the artistic team to bring the production to life:
Pearl Bornilla - Assistant Direction
Gab Mactal, Keith Bernas, Erica Deliguer, Enrico Figueroa, Isa Geronimo, Meeka Sayaboc - Dramaturgy
Nica Mapeso - Production Design
Albriz Bagsic - Costume Design
Andy Reysio-Cruz - Sound Design & Composer
Tini Quadra - Vocal Arrangement
Aldrie Valmonte - Lighting Design
Juls Leonardo - Photography
Val Ayento - Graphic Design
Dane Soriano - Graphic Design
Ikalabindalawang Gabi will be held at the Gonzaga Fine Arts Theater, Ateneo de Manila University. The show dates are as follows:
November 7, 8, 14, 15 - 2:00 PM
November 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15 - 7:00 PM
Tickets for the production can be purchased at https://bit.ly/TA48IkalabindalawangGabi. Below are the ticket prices for the show:
General Audience - PHP 500
Senior Citizens and PWDs - PHP 400
LS Undergraduate Students - PHP 400
LS Scholars, PWD Students - PHP 350
For bulk-buying ticket inquiries, please email our Sales Manager, John Nathaniel Mallari, at tickets.tanghalangateneo@gmail.com with the subject line “12G BULK BUY - Your Name or Organization.”
For more information about the show, follow Tanghalang Ateneo through the following platforms:
Facebook: fb.com/TanghalangAteneo
Instagram: instagram.com/tanghalangateneo
TikTok: tiktok.com/@tanghalangateneo
