Sisa, Darangen ni Bantugen Slated in UE

Sisa, Darangen ni Bantugen slated in UE

The University of the East Office of Cultural Affairs (UE OCA) in cooperation with On Cam Production will present “Sisa” at the UE Theater on Friday, August 8 at 3 p.m.

“Sisa” is an indie-digital film produced by Carlos A. Maceda, co-directed by Christopher John Andaluz and JC Rivera with Arman Reyes as Asst. Director, and written by JC Rivera.

Jodi Sta. Maria-Lacson leads the cast of “Sisa”, portraying the main character. Others in the cast are (in alphabetical order): Archie Adamos, Chx Alcala, Chinggoy Alonzo, Aleck Bovick, Shamaine Buencamino, Keith Cabanez, Ermie Concepcion, Mon Confiado, Dido De La Paz, Jeffrey Hidalgo, Edward Jackson, Carlo Maceda, Daniel Magisa, Moises Magisa, Jay Manalo, Jao Mapa, Bodjie Pascua, Vahn Lenard Pascual, Allan Paule, Charee Pineda, Richard Quan, Ama Quiambao, Arman Reyes, Mayo Suzuki, Christian Vasquez and Gina Villa.

Coinciding with UE’s celebration of the “Linggo ng Wika”, the UE OCA collaborates with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Philippine Ballet Theater (PBT) to bring to life an ancient Maranao epic, “Darangen ni Bantugen” through classical dance at the UE Theater on Thursday, August 14 at 3 p.m.

Darangen, the Maranao term for epic song, is a collection of ancient epics in Maranao language spoken by the people around Lake Lanao . The oldest and most popular is Darangen ni Bantugen which is still told and retold in the original ancient verse. Twenty-six chapters of lyric verses narrate the odyssey of Bantugen, which the choreographer uses to narrate his story in ballet. The ballet was inspired by the story Darangen ni Bantugen by Ma. Lourdes C. Sanchez and the Death of Bantugen by Arsenio Manuel.

This PBT production features world-class principal ballet dancers Jared Jehowil Tan and Faye Abigail Tan and is choreographed by PBT's Artistic Director Gener Caringal, concurrent UE OCA Director; original musical scoring by Jesse Lucas; production design (set and costume) by National Artist Salvador Bernal.

The film showing and cultural presentation are open to the UE community —alumni, students, faculty and employees; free admission tickets are on first-come-first- served basis.

For inquiries, call the UE Office of Cultural Affairs, tel. 735-54-71 to 82 loc. 441 or log on to www.ue.edu.ph.