Multi-awarded actor/singer Piolo Pascual recently signed on as the lead character Crisostomo Ibarra in Tanghalang Una Obra’s staging of IBARRA.
IBARRA is a musical based on Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere. Rizal used Ibarra to convey his ideas about colonialism and power in the Philippines during Spanish colonial rule. Ibarra believed that, although the Catholic friars and the Spanish government were corrupt, they provided the Philippines with valuable support. Ibarra insisted on reforming the Philippines from the inside out, working with the friars and Spanish officials to bring about positive change without dismantling the system entirely. However, Ibarra was branded heretical and subversive, and imprisoned. In the end, he became a revolutionary.
Noli Me Tangere was considered one of the instruments that initiated Filipino nationalism leading to the 1896 Philippine Revolution. The novel not only awakened sleeping Filipino awareness but also established the grounds for independence.
The staging of IBARRA this year is appropriate given that the Philippines commemorates its 125th year of independence from Spain.
IBARRA is a re-working of Jomar Fleras’ prize-winning play Kanser. The original play Kanser won the 1979 Cultural Center of the Philippines’ playwriting competition. It has been staged since 1980 and is the longest-running play in Philippine history. The 2023 production of IBARRA will be the 40th production of Kanser. It has won several artistic awards and was performed all over the country and abroad.
The songs are composed by Joed Balsamo. Direction by Franniel Zamora and choreography by Paul Morales.
Joining the Ultimate Leading Man, Piolo Pascual, are an ensemble of incredibly brilliant stage actors, including Myramae Meneses (Maria Clara), Jeffrey Hidalgo (Elias), Floyd Tena (Padre Damaso), Carlo Mañalac (Padre Salvi), Jon Joven Uy (Pilosopo Tasyo), Nicole Laurel Asensio (Sisa), Carla Guevara Laforteza (Donya Victorina), Dea Formacil (Donya Consolacion) JD Tena (Basilio) and Elian Santos (Crispin).
The composer and Musical director is Joed Balsamo, Choreographer and co-director is Paul Morales, Production designer is Mio Infante. The lighting designer is Dong Calingacion; Frannie Zamora is the overall director. The Manila Symphony Orchestra will accompany live.
The musical is slated for staging June 8-18, 2023 at the GSIS Theater. Tickets are available at Ticketworld from May 2023.
Proceeds from the play will benefit Rise Against Hunger Philippines’ feeding programs.
The play is sponsored by the Government Service Insurance System, Cultural Center of the Philippines, JTI Philippines, Nickel Asia Corporation, Vibal Publishing, Andoks, Diamond Hotels, McDonald’s, Figaro, Beautederm, and Artdesign.
