Basilia ng Malolos opens in UP Diliman’s Guerrero Theater

UP Playwright Theater stages Nicanor Tiongson's sarswela, "Basilia ng Malolos" at the Guerrero Theater in UP Diliman. The play is directed by Jose Estrella, with movements by Dexter Santos.

The sarswela is inspired by the story of the 20 women, led by Basilia Tantoco,played by of Malolos, Bulacan who, on Dec. 12, 1888, presented Governor-General Valeriano Weyler with a letter asking permission to open a night school,where women could learn Spanish under Teodoro Sandiko.

Upon Spanish priest, Fr. Felipe Garcia's strong objections, however, the governor-general turned down the petition. But, the defiant women fought on and soon won their cause. The incident inspired Dr. Jose Rizal to write his famous letter "To the Women of Malolos" who, he wrote, "have set an example to those who long to have their eyes opened and be delivered from servitude…We now dare to face adversity, because we have you for our allies…No longer does the Filipina stand with her head bowed, nor does she spend her time on her knees,because she is quickened by hope in the future…"

As early as 1792, American Mary Wollstonecraft wrote about the feminist philosophy in the book, "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman." For their part,the Philippine Revolution's progressive fairer sex formed "Asociacion Feminista Filipina" in 1906, the first women's organization in the country. So, who says
feminism is just a late 20th century concept?

Nicanor Tiongson's Basilia ng Malolos
at UP Diliman's Guerrero Theater
CAST

Jenny Jamora, who trained in London's prestigious RADA, plays Basilia Tantoco. Fresh from the Cebu-run of Repertory Philippines' "The Boor", the Aliw-nominated actress ("The Blue Room") is delighted to work for UP Playwright Theater, boosting a rich resume of theatrical work ("Stop Kiss", "The Sound of Music", Andrew Lloyd Weber's "Aspects of Love", "The Vagina Monologues") as well as the recent music video of Sugarfree's "Kung Ayaw Mo Na Sa Akin". This will be Jenny's first foray into tagalog play, having been trained with classical theater in RADA, and appearing in English plays for New Voice, Repertory and Actor's Actor.

Neil Ryan Sese has recently appeared in well received movies ("Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros" and "Matthew, Mark, Luke, John"), TV telenovelas (GMA's "Encantadia" and Mahiwagang Baul") and commercials. But it's in theater where he reigns supreme appearing in plays with Tanghalang Pilipino. Neil is fastly becoming a familiar face in mainstream cinema and television.

Rito Asilo appears in his 3rd Jose Rizal role - previously in National Artist Lucresia Kasilag's "Mga Bagong Bayani (Sa Ibayong Dagat)" then in Musical Theater Philippines' "Sino Ka Ba, Jose Rizal" (taking over Ogie Alcasid's role). Asilo has been appearing as lead in bigger than life roles: Jose Rizal, Emilio Aguinaldo in "Tsinoy", Padre Pio in "Life of Padre Pio", Nene Pimentel
in "Pag-ibig sa Bayan" and Jesus Christ in the long-running Ryan Cayabyab musical, "Magnificat". He starred and directed New Voice plays like "Cabaret" (where he was Aliw-nominated for direction), "Aspects of Love", "Stones in His Pockets", "Sacrilege", "The Vagina Monologues" and recently, the SRO-play "The Good Body" at the Music Museum. Rito is set to direct the New Voice Company's run of Sondheim's "Into The Woods" soon.

Joining Jamora, Sese, and Asilo in the cast are Dr. Belen Calingacion (UP Dean), Felix Rivera, Lex Marcos, Diana Alferez, Beaver Flores, Natasia Garrucha, Judith Javier, Chinchin Fernando and Adel de Monteverde.

"Basilia ng Malolos" runs at the Guerrero Theater in UP Diliman from Feb. 14 to March 4 Wednesdays to Sundays at 7 p.m., with 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday matinees.

For more information on Nicanor Tiongson's Basilia ng Malolos at UP Diliman's Guerrero Theater, call Joanne Quiros at 926-1349 or 0927 827-4610.