Never Again: Voices of Martial Law

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In response to the growing myths and misconceptions about the Martial Law era, a new group has launched a series of plays about living and dying during the Marcos regime beginning on September 21, 2016 at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani auditorium.

Entitled Never Again: Voices of Martial Law, these nine plays produced by Ladies Who Launch (LWL), are designed to create awareness about the harsh realities of living during the years after the declaration of Martial Law, the people who lived and did not live through it, their work, and the effects of Martial Law on people until today.

Included in the lineup are the Palanca Award-winning “Bulong-bulongan sa Sangandaan” by Ramon Jocson which will be directed by theater luminary Audie Gemora; “Loyalist Redux,” a comedy written and directed by Kanakan Balintagos, first staged at the 12th Virgin Labfest and will now star Pinky Amador in the title role; and “Duyan Ka Ng Magiting,” written and directed by Erika Estacio, first seen at the People Power Experiential Museum. LWL says, “Our goal is to unearth these stories and make them visible, visceral, and palpable. We want those alive today to remember the victims as people, not just as statistics or bios on a website. 

Above all, we want to ensure that the evils of Martial Law are never forgotten, never repeated.” The six original plays created for Never Again: Voices of Martial Law are: “Princess Lilli” written by Layeta Bucoy and directed by Tuxs Rutaquio; “Disco 1081” written by George de Jesus III and directed by Melvin Lee; “Shhh” written by Allan Lopez and directed by Jenny Jamora; “Indigo Child” written by Rody Vera and directed by Jose Estrella; “Thingy (Or Ang Pak na Pak Ganern na Ganern na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Milenyo, D’ Great Pokemon Hunter) ” written by Chris Martinez and directed by Dennis Marasigan; and “Ang Lihim na Kasaysayan ng Huling Habilin ni Ferdinand Edralin Marcos (Spiritual King Solomon of Israel) Hinggil sa Pamanang Kayamanan ni King Bernardo Carpio at Jose Protacio Rizal Para sa Pagpapaunlad ng Bansang Pilipinas na Siyang Nalalaman ni Mang Ambo, Taxi Driver” written by Guelan Varela-Luarca and directed by Roobak Valle. 

The play will have its gala premiere on September 21, the anniversary of the proclamation of Martial Law. Weekend performances will run from September 23 until October 16. The production is also scheduled for school and city tours after this initial run at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani.

For the regular run, tickets are at PhP 500 per show consisting of three plays while a festival pass allowing entry to three shows to watch all 9 plays is at Php 1,300. For inquiries and ticket reservations, email ladieswholaunch.ph@gmail.com or contact +639178047191.