Tanghalang Pilipino (TP), the drama company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), has officially launched its 37th theater season on Thursday, with a goal to expose the youth to the truth.
With the theme of “UNFILTER!,” TP Actors Company Senior Member Antonette Go told republicasia that they aim to encourage people, particularly the new generation, to know and speak about the truth.
“Dahil nga po sa era ngayon of, syempre may mga historical revisionism at hindi na natin alam kung saan makukuha ang tamang facts and information, then it’s all over the social media, so bakit ngayon bakit hindi natin i-empower ang mga kabataan na alamin ang katotohanan?” Go said.
This year’s season will stage three theater productions, namely: Anak Datu, Sandosenang Sapatos, and Pingkian: Isang Musikal. These plays were specifically chosen as all of them give representations and voices to the youth.
“Sa Anak Datu, meron tayong batang Toym Imao na siyang naging boses para sa mga Maguindanaons. Sa Sandosenang Sapatos yung boses ni Susie, at syempre yung kay Emilio Jacinto, one of the youngest heroes natin,” she emphasized.
“Even in the young generation, in the next generation, may pag-asa sa kanila, so we are empowering them to unfilter what they have in their voice,” she said.
TP’s Associate Artistic Director Marco Viaña also said that they want TP to become “a platform for truth,” thus, they chose “UNFILTER!” to be their theme this year.
“Gusto natin silang (kabataan) matuto na gamitin yung kapangyarihan nila para sa katotohanan,” he stressed.
The plays will be shown at the CCP Black Box Theater, starting September 20 to March 24, 2024.
Heart-tugging plays
Theater goers can expect to see heartfelt plays from this theater season, especially in “Sandosenang Sapatos,” young theater actresses Felicity Kyle Napuli and Wincess Jem Yana shared with republicasia.
Napuli and Yana will alternate for the role of Susie, a wheelchair-bound girl who dreams of fulfilling her father’s wish to have a ballerina daughter, in “Sandosenang Sapatos.”
Since Filipinos are family-oriented, Napuli said that many audiences would surely relate to this family musical.
“Expect to cry, expect to enjoy, and besides crying, expect your heart to feel warm dahil this is a family musical,” Napuli said.
Even cold-hearted people would feel the warmth of emotional scenes from the play, Yana said.
The two young actresses also shared their takeaways from their role in “Sandosenang Sapatos,” which they hoped would reach the young viewers as well.
For Yana, the play would be a realization for the viewers to be grateful for what they have.
“Ginawan po siya (Susie) ng shoes every birthday, even though wala siyang paa, [but] he didn’t give it to her yet since hindi nga po niya magamit,” the actress said.
“Susie did misunderstand that for not being loved, pero the truth [is], her father loves her so much,’ she added.
Napuli, on the other hand, said that she saw how unconditional a parent’s love can be.
“Kahit ano po yung sa tingin niyo kakulangan niyo, may magmamahal sa inyo, and wala pong makakapantay sa pagmamahal ng mga magulang sa anak,” Napuli stressed.
More projects for the youth
TP has recently established an education committee that conducts acting workshops for the youth.
Among the courses they offer are children’s integrated arts workshop, beginning acting, teen theater workshop, acting in musical theater, and kamalayang Pilipino masterclass.
The committee has also upcoming projects for the young individuals, including “Lakbay Isip.”
“Lakbay Isip” is a three-episode mental health series that will remind these audiences that there is a community who will support their growth and artistic pursuits.
