Mapua Tekno Teatro Stages Three Original Plays For Dramafest 2011

Mapua Tekno Teatro (MT2), the official drama organization of the Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT), is staging Dramafest 2011 on August 3, 4 and 6 at the Seminar Room of the MIT main campus in Intramuros, Manila. Dramafest 2011 consists of three original one-act plays written and directed by MT2 members to close the group's 10th anniversary celebration. MT2 was founded in August 2001. The organization is under the supervision of Dante Sauquillo, director of the MIT Office of Student Activities and Discipline.

“The institution supports student organizations such as the MT2 in its bid to enforce values and promote a broader perspective for the development of students in a wholistic manner. This is the educational philosophy of Mapua,” Sauquillo said. He added that: “Theater promotes a change of perspective or a broadening of which when the MT2 members study characters in preparation for a play.”

Eroplano, written by Khyacee Dejarlo and directed by Anton Mercado, follows the story of a family with an OFW father who tries to start and rebuild relationships with his wife and children. AJ Ramos, Charizza Villanueva, Conan O. Penawin, Rachelle Gimpes, Jovy Vieja, and Rommhel Coliat comprise the cast of Eroplano.

Penned by Anggoy Jalla and directed by Alsus Adiaton, Si Dos at si Singko features a world where two unborn infants live, and watch the world from a frame. Dos is played by Adrienne Orense and AJ Eleazar while MK Espiritu essays the role of Singko. Other cast members include Irene Billones, Steven Ace Galedo, John Joseph Perez, Danny Cardenas and Rommhel Coliat.

Silence Speaks, on the other hand, tells how two disabled children communicate using the language of love. Earl John Dangalan, Mi-chan Mendoza, and Aljohn Casil top bill the play supported by Maria Jezreel A. Bernaldez and Leih Gonzales. The play is written by Debbie del Rosario and under the direction of Feb Ladiet.

Dramafest 2011 has the following time schedule: For August 3, Silence Speaks at 1:30 p.m., Eroplano at 3:00 p.m. and Si Dos at si Singko at 4:30 p.m. On August 4, Eroplano at 1:30 p.m., Silence Speaks at 3:00 p.m. and Si Dos at si Singko at 4:30 p.m. For August 6, Si Dos at si Singko at 10:30 a.m., Eroplano at 12:00 noon, and Silence Speaks at 1:30 p.m. followed by an awarding ceremony.

Visual artist Abril Dominic Valdemoro designed and created majority of the props and set pieces of the three plays, costumes for Dos and Singko, and the sculptured trophies for the awards. Betty Uy-Regala is the resident acting coach of MT2.

Ticket is P20 per play or P50 for a day pass of three plays. For inquiries, please contact Mi-chan Mendoza, (0917) 786-2787; Alsus Adiaton, (0915) 854-0656, and Earl John Dangalan, (0915) 765-0566.

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Mapúa Tekno Teatro Stages 10th Anniversary Offering

The Mapúa Tekno Teatro (MT2), the official drama organization of the Mapúa Institute of Technology, will hold its 10th anniversary production with an adaptation of Bertolt Brecht's The Good Woman of Szechuan, Ang Mabuting Tao ng Parian. Penned by Tim Dacanay, Ang Mabuting Tao ng Parian is directed by JK Anicoche.

The piece is in line with the new vision of the MT2 to stage socially-relevant productions in the tradition of Brecht's theatre of alienation, which engages the audience members to think rather than to get highly emotional about the play's plot and the characters' plight.



"The Mapúa Institute of Technology advocates academic excellence and strength of character in our students. Our curriculum equips the students to be technically skilled and strengthens values that are equally valuable in the work environment," says Dr. Bonifacio T. Doma Jr., executive vice president for Academic Affairs of the Institute. Doma adds that the MIT addresses this balance through a holistic approach by the inclusion of a strong arts, humanities, and social sciences program into the curriculum. A non-academic program in line with this approach is the Mapúa Tekno Teatro. The Institute has a School of Languages, Humanities and Social Sciences aside from its technical courses.

Director JK Anicoche envisions the play to be a literal interpretation of life as a competitive game with a set of winners and losers, and a boxing ring where the two types of people fight it out. "Through the three gods, the play asks the characters and the audience members " what is goodness" Having defined goodness, is there still a good person in the world?" The questions, Anicoche adds, are relevant in this time of desensitization where morality issues, corruption, and oppression are common fares in the media.

Anicoche heads the artistic team composed of Alison Segarra, assistant director; Dacanay, writer; Ninya Bedruz, lights designer and technical director; Eisa Jocson and Leeroy New, production designers; Teresa Barrozo, sound designer and; Isabelle Martinez, stage manager.

The MT2 cast and production team participating in the production include Alsus Adiaton, Kim Adulta, Ed Aniag, Kiki Baento, Jezreel Bernaldez, RR Boniol, Michael Caballero, Daniel Cardenas, Rommnel Coliat, Earl Dangalan, Debbie Del Rosario, Jethro Espenida, MK Espiritu, Alyshia Formento, Michael Figueras, Steven Galedo, G-may Galvan, Chopper Gapasin, Julio Garcia, Rachelle Gimpes, Leih Gonzales, Nathalie Inductivo, Roxanne King, Jerome Liao, Henry Malacaman, Kael Ma. Guerrero, Yuyi Marzo, Michan Mendoza, Anton Mercado, Camille Orense, Aj Ramos, Chris Rimas, Harrold Saliba, Jovie Vieja, Charizza Villanueva, and Cedree Wheeler.

Visual artist Joey Cobcobo collaborated with MT2 member MK Espiritu for the advertising collateral design while filmmaker Raymund Cruz created the trailer. Betty Uy-Regala is the resident coach of MT2 and Dante Sauquillo is the director of the MIT Office of Student Activities and Discipline.

Ticket is at P90, for reservations contact Anton Mercado at 0917-6182223, Cha
Villanueva at 0916-7720752, or Kim Adulta at 0915-8692545.

For more information, please contact Betty Uy-Regala at 0906-2604175.

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