We would like to announce the world premiere of Professor Emeritus Leoncio P. Deriada's (2016 Gawad sa CCP Para sa Sining in Literature)
Distrito De Molo directed by Professor Emeritus
Tony Mabesa (2016 Gawad sa CCP Para sa Sining in Theatre). This will be staged in its original English version and in a Filipino translation by the Palanca Award winner Allan Palileo.
The illustrious district of Molo in Iloilo City is the setting of three different plays, each taking place in a different timeline. Molo was originally the Parian of Iloilo, the area where all Chinese residents must live. Each play is a journey that brings us the history, magic and myths of the revered district of Molo.
The first play,
Tres Hermanas de Molo, is set in the 50’s and revolves around the post-war lives of the wealthy Locsin sisters. All three are unmarried, and are each carrying a dark secret from their past. The second play,
Atlas de Molo, set in contemporary time, is about Eric and Lorena Avanceña. The newlyweds return to their ancestral home. Atlas, the statue in their garden, comes to life and changes their lives forever. The last play,
Venus de Molo, set in the 30’s, revolves around Don Guillermo Arroyo and his obsession with the statue of “Venus de Milo.” He employs the local sculptor, Crispino Marañon, to reproduce the statue but without compensation. Things turn around when Laonsena, a goddess, visits Marañon and reveals a shocking secret Don Guillermo.
The cast of Distrito De Molo includes homegrown artists and professional actors in the field of theatre. This includes Stella Cañete-Mendoza, Frances Makil-Ignacio, Adriana Agcaoili, Astarte Abraham, Dolly De Leon, Katte Sabatte, Ronnie Martinez, Flordeliz Salanga, Monette Flores, Carlo Cannu, Ron Biñas, Carlo Tarobal, Missy Maramara, Ian Ignacio, Leo Rialp, Jacques Borlaza, Arvin Trinidad, Brian Arda, Sue Prado, Liway Gabo, Chase Salazar, Neil Ryan Sese and Candy Pangilinan.
The artistic team includes Nick Deocampo (set design), Shax Siosoco (lights design), Eric Pineda (costume design), and Jethro Joaquin (sound design).
This project between Professors Mabesa and Deriada runs from 12 - 30 October 2016, from Wednesdays to Fridays at 7:00 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, 2nd Floor Palma Hall, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.
Tres Hermanas de Molo
Set in the late 1950s the play revolves around the post-war lives of the wealthy Locsin sisters living in a mansion in Molo, Iloilo. All three are unmarried, and are each carrying a dark secret from their past. Visitacion, the eldest, is cold and cruel, and she believes that being unmarried is a form of penance they must endure. Her sisters, Asuncion and Salvacion on the other hand, are discontented and lust for a more exciting life. After a series of arguments among the sisters, Asuncion and Salvacion confess their transgressions, to the horror of VIsitacion. However Visitacion is not spared from her own transgressions. In the end Asuncion and Salvacion relent and comfort their elder sister as they call on the ghosts of their past and pray for freedom from their own burdens. Feeling reborn after revealing their transgressions, the three sisters, along with Maura, their loyal nanny, laugh, cry and look forward to a new dawn.
Atlas de Molo
Set in contemporary times, Eric and Lorena Avanceña are young newlyweds that have recently moved into the crumbling Avanceña home in Molo. In the garden, there is a statue of the Greek Titan Atlas standing in the middle of a dry fountain. One evening, the statue comes to life, puts down the earth that he carries on his shoulders, and shares a conversation with Eric. After much taunting from Atlas, Eric agrees to carry the earth on his shoulders as a test of his strength. It is too late for Eric to realize that this is a trap. The next day, the dry fountain bursts forth with water.
Venus de Molo
Set in the 1930s, the play involves the eccentric Don Guillermo Arroyo, who is obsessed of reproducing his own “Venus de Milo.” He employs the local sculptor, Crispino Marañon, to craft a marble of “Venus de Molo” for him. Crispino, without any compensation of his work, is visited by the goddess Laonsena, who learns of Don Guillermo’s cruelty. When Crispino unveils his work, Don Guillermo is shocked to set eyes on Laonsena as his Venus de Molo. As Laonsena leaves, Don Guillermo begs Crispino to help him, but he refuses, and the Don is left alone in his dilemma.
The play has themes of: History, Identity, Hopes, and Dreams.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
