Photo Flash: On Stage with Tanghalang Pilipino's WALANG SUGAT

View Photos from the Production

By: Oliver Oliveros Aug. 18, 2012

Photo Flash: On Stage with Tanghalang Pilipino's WALANG SUGAT Co-written by Precious Lee Cundangan

Manila, Philippines, August 18, 2012 - Tanghalang Pilipino (TP), the resident theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) opened its 26^th season with Severino Reyes' immortal sarsuwela "Walang Sugat" last Thursday, August 16 at CCP's Tanghalang Aurelio V. Tolentino. Highly esteemed film director Carlos Siguion-Reyna helms the production, and makes his stage directorial debut.

"Walang Sugat" tells the love story of Julia and Tenyong whose forbidden relationship had been further hampered by their social status, political, and religious beliefs during the height of the Philippine revolutionary movement against the Spanish colonizers in 1896-1898.

Cris Villonco plays Julia; Noel Rayos and Antonio Ferrer play Julia's love interest, Tenyong; legendary Filipino stage actress Noemi Manikan-Gomez plays Julia's mother, Juana; stage stalwarts Bodjie Pascua and Lou Veloso play Tadeo; Red Nuestro and Jonathan Tadioan play loyal sidekick Lukas; Jenny Villegas and Jean Judith Javier play Lukas' sweetheart, Monica; Gino Ramirez plays Miguel; Veloso and Jeldon Bay play Padre Teban; and Joseph Perez plays Pedring.

The sarsuwela's libretto was originally penned by Severino Reyes, a forerunner of Philippine sarsuwela (Reyes is also popularly known for his short stories-turned-classic children's book "Lola Basyang").

For this production of "Walang Sugat," TP makes use of Reyes' original script with additional lines by Nick Tiongson, a leading Filipino critic. Fulgencio Tolentino, Constancio de Guzman, and Mike Velarde composed its poetic, haunting but sometimes naughty musical strains - a familiar dichotomy between arias and recitatives.

Chino Toledo, whose additional music is also featured in this production, is musical director; Nonoy Froilan is choreographer; Tuxqs Rutaquio is set designer; James Reyes of Slims Fashion and Arts School is costume designer; and Katsch Catoy is lighting designer.

"Walang Sugat" runs until Sunday, August 26.

Photo Credit: Jory Rivera