Their love story – between a warrior and a monster – defines the greatness of Bicol as it explores an individual’s capacity for good and evil, and a land’s history marked by progress and destruction.
Tanghalang Pilipino caps its 26th season with a dance-theatre musical interpretation of the Bicolano epic, “Ibalong,” adapted for the stage by prolific playwright Rody Vera and directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio with Carol Bello’s musical direction, and Alden Lugnasin’s choreography.
IBALONG opens with a gala premiere on February 8 at the Tanghalang Aurelio V. Tolentino, Cultural Center of the Philippines at 8pm. The musical will run until March 3, 2013.
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| Janine Desiderio and cast presentation during the Ibalong Press Conference |
SYNOPSIS
The play will focus on the middle story of the Ibalong epic fragment, since we feel this is the most substantial of the three seemingly separate stories of the short poem. We focus on Handyong when he and his warriors come to Bicol and wage war against the wild creatures of the land. Handyong uses might to wipe out the wild creatures perceived as barbaric and monstrous. There are beasts with one eye and three throats. Winged sharks ploughing the deep, wild carabaos were all subdued.
It seems that Handyong the mighty has begun to subdue the land of Bicol in the name of civilization except for Oryol, the sagacious snake. Handyong is eluded by Oryol. she then appears as a sweet young thing, as a way of seducing him. Oryol was a champion of deceit.
This is why Handyong finds a way to lure Oryol to help him. In the end, Oryol agrees to help Handyong destroy her own kind for a great deception that our hero is able to heap on the snake. Handyong makes the snake monster fall in love with him.
The land is set free when Oryol betrays the wild creatures of the land of Bicol. Handyong's heroism is fully established. But not without a tinge of guilt.
This love story between a mighty warrior and a monster becomes the central focus of the Ibalong, the capacity for good and evil, for progress and destruction, love and deceit are equally imprinted in the descendants of Handyong. The precarious balance between these two opposites defines the greatness of the land of Bicol.
The production team is composed of Jennifer Bautista ( Production Manager ), Alpha Joy Ruiz ( Deputy Production Manager ), Jo Ann Requiestas ( Assistant Production Manager ), Jerome Aytona ( Stage Manager ), Noel Taylo and Eric Sindol ( Assistant Stage Managers ), Daniel Gregorio ( Costume Custodian ), Zaldy Baldelobar ( Property Master ), Raphael David (Make-Up and Prosthetic Artist ), and Jerry Ramirez ( Stunt Choreography ).
The Marketing / Sales, and publicity group is led by Cherry Bong Z. Edralin ( Marketing Manager ), Toots Tolentino ( Publicist ), Jojit Lorenzo ( Photography ), Carlo Vergara ( Poster Design ), Joan Abubo ( Ticket Officer ), Lorelei Celestino ( Marketing & Sales Associate ) and Juan Lorenzo Marco ( Sales Executive ).
The schedule of performances of IBALONG are as follows:
( Fri ) February 8, 15, 22, March 1, 2013 at 8:00 pm;
( Sat ) February 9, 16, 23, March 2, 2013 at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm;
( Sun ) February 10, 17, 24, March 3, 2013 at 3:00 pm.
Ticket prices are:
P 800.00 ( regular );
P 400.00 ( students ) and
P 640.00 (for senior citizens -- 20% discount on the regular price)
For the Feb. 8 gala night, tickets are at
P 1,000.00 ( regular );
P 500.00 ( students ) and
P 800.00 ( for senior citizens -- 20% discount on the regular price)
Support our contribution to save our planet, our environment, and our cultural heritage.
Don’t fail to watch IBALONG!
With elaborate costumes, energetic fight choreography, and haunting music, IBALONG guarantees audiences of all ages an enthralling experience rarely seen in original Filipino theatre.
Tickets are now available at all TicketWorld Outlets. Call TicketWorld at 891-9999 and CCP Box Office at 832-3704
For inquiries on ticket reservations, group sales, sponsorships, special performances, call Tanghalang Pilipino at 832-1125 local 1620/1621 or contact Cherry Bong Z. Edralin at 0917-750-0107, 0918-959-3949 for more details.
Visit our website at www.tanghalangpilipino.org.ph or
E-mail us at ccptanghalan@yahoo.com or cherry_edralin888@yahoo.com.
E-mail us at ccptanghalan@yahoo.com or cherry_edralin888@yahoo.com.
