Manila Mobile Theater Presents Martir sa Golgota

Free Staging of "Martir sa Golgota" by Tanghalang Sta. Ana now called Manila Mobile Theater

Please help us to commemorate the upcoming Holy Week "Martir sa
Golgota" play presented to the public for free. call 09178718511

Despite the modern and usually controversial approach of some of its
film and theater counterparts, Martir Sa Golgota, Tanghalang Sta.Ana's
depiction of the passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, sticks to
tradition's something that they've been doing for the past 19 years.
Tanghalang Sta. Ana's version adheres to the Pinoy format of the
senakulo, with subliminal implications on the coming May elections.

"I believe that we have to insert some commentary, otherwise, Christ's
death would have been in vain. So yearly, we have different themes. We
have integrated topics on family, drugs, abortion, peace and order"
explains the director, former Councilor Lou Veloso. But we're still
trying to be as close to the traditional portrayal of the Passion as possible.
The music composed by Lou Veloso and arranged by award winning musical scorer
Vincent de Jesus for Martir sa Golgota is also a big addition to senaculo play.

For Veloso, the birth of "Martir Sa Golgota" and of the Tanghalang
Sta. Ana came as a form of a personal Cavalry 19 years ago. These two
was a product of a persistant dream to put up a community theater in
his area.

For him, this project was a great means to introduce culture and the
arts even to the people from Classes D and E, who, at normal
circumstances, wouldn't have the means to watch a full- length play.
"We've had more than a hundred members from all walks of life. We had
drivers, teachers, mothers, out- of- school youth as members," recalls
Veloso.

After the Tanghalang Sta. Ana's success in their initial production of
"Martir sa Golgota" the theater group went on to create various
productions, some of which were related to the Filipino Catholic
rituals, such as the "Panunuluyan" The nine- day presentation mostly
involved the poor residents of Sta. Ana as actors.

Tanghalang Sta. Ana likewise toured the community to stage productions tackling drugs, family life and the environment.

Veloso's dream of nurturing community theater in Sta. Ana leaped
forward when he was first elected as a councilor in 1995. After a few
years, Veloso was able to acquire a small portion in Plaza Hugo Sta.
ana which became the Sta. Ana Arts Center .

"It was a nearly dilapidated bodega which we all cleaned with our own
bare hands. We all helped one another. My dream to have a legitimate
venue was finally realized and wanted Tanghalang Sta. Ana to become a professional group this year. The community theater is now called Manila Mobile Theater, now on its 20 years of mounting of this play is a dream comes true." relates Veloso.

With the success of his community theater and after nine years of
being a councilor and additional three years, Veloso was able to convince the council to integrate art and culture in the academic curriculum. He believes that
art develops one's skills.

Veloso also observes that the community theater serves as a good
instrument where the youth can have something productive to keep them
busy, thereby keeping them away from drugs and illegal activities not
uncommon from depressed areas.

"I guess this success is one of the reasons why we're staging Martir
sa Golgota," says Veloso. "For us working in this play, this serves as
our annual religious offering. “We have upcoming plays for our members in Manila Mobile Theatre, Palanca Award winning plays will be our top of the list.” He added.

Movie actors Ariel Rivera, Christopher de Leon, Rez Cortez, Daniel
Fernando, Rita Avila, Pinky Marquez,Tommy Abuel, Bodjie Pascua, Alma
Conception, Ricky Davao, Carmi Martin, Ronnie Lazaro, Perry Escaño, Ernie Garcia and
Yul Servo have at one time or another played major roles in the Lenten
offering. Its first Jesus was former action actor Raymond Keanu.

This year television and film actor Jao Mapa will play as Jesus Christ for the first alternating Jojo Riguerra and Tanghalang Sta. Ana resident actor Russel Sorillo who played as Jesus Christ the Nazareth for eight consecutive years helping out celebrities include theater, television and film actor Bodgie Pascua (John the Baptist), Perry Escaño and Joseph Domingo (Pontius Pilate), Andy Bais (San Miguel), Emlyn Santos and Vahnee Yuenco (Virgin Mary) , Aleera Montalla, Ivy Manquiz and Eizen Arana (Magdalene), Allan Manalo (Judas) Dante Balois and Romeo Saje (Nicodemus), Abel Napuran (Herod), Molts Menesses (Annas), Lee Lorenzo (Angel and Juan dela Cruz), and Ces Aldava (Caiphas).

Completing the cast are supporting actors Ronald Solidum and Ogie Ignacio (Flavius), Dong Alcurong (Ignacius), Romy Gonzales (Devil,) Mark Ador (Dimas), Kervin Lobiano (Hestas), Tony Demiao (Barabbas) and the Manila Mobile Theater Actors company.

"The thought that they're presenting it in several communities for
free, was enough motivation for the Opus Dei believer to look at the
Lenten ritual in a whole new perspective, " said Veloso.

"Actually, some of the participants in this play are doing it as an
offering. Seeing how passionate they are about the production, in a
way, gives you drive to perfect your work. "Veloso added.

"Martir Sa Golgota" by Tanghalang Sta. Ana and now called Manila Mobile Theater will be shown on March 17 Remedios Plaza Manila under Mayor Alfredo Lim, March 18 San Juan Plaza under Mayor J.V. Ejercito, March 19 Plaza Hugo Sta. Ana near the church, March 20 Trese Marteres Cavite, March 21 Pagsanjan Laguna under Mayor E.R Ejercito and Tondo Manila under Vice Mayor Isko Moreno.

For inquiries on "Martir Sa Golgota" by Manila Mobile Theater
and presenting it in your city or baranggay for free call 09178718511.