mabining mandirigma

7/25/2019 Mabining Mandirigma

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Manila, Philippines With the overwhelming success of its initial run last July 2015 at the Cultural

Center of the Philippines, Tanghalang Pilipino, the resident theater company of the Cultural Center

of the Philippines, with the support of the National Commission for the Culture and Arts, brings back

the hit musical play, Mabining Mandirigma to cap off its 29th theatre season. Written by Dr. Nicanor

Tiongson, this musical play foregrounds the legal and diplomatic heroism of Apolinario Mabini.

Coincidentally, as the culminating production to commemorate the sesquicentennial birth of who

was considered the brains of the revolution,Mabining Mandirigma,once again promises audience

to an exciting journey through history as it utilizes Steampunk, a subgenre of science fiction that

incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th Century industrial steam-powered

machinery, as a fitt ing backdrop to an already action-packed musical.

Mabining Mandirigma, A Steampunk Musical runs at the Cultural Center of the Philippines

Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Lit tle Theater) from February 19 to March 13, 2016, Fridays to Sunda ys,

with 3:00PM (Matinee) and 8:00PM (Gala) shows.

Apolinario Mabini1898, as President Emilio Aguinaldos Adviser, Cabinet President, and first Foreign Minister, Mabini

displayed a warriorsspirit that belied his paralytic body and a principled character that could notbe compromised by considerations of personal aggrandizement or political expediency. Without

fear, he fought the ilustrado-cacique clique in the Malolos Government that issued governmentbonds that would allow them full control of the new governments finances and activities. When

Aguinaldo replaced Mabini with the political chameleon Paterno as cabinet president, Mabini, nowmuch weakened by sickness, continued to support the masses fighting the American invaders, even

long after Aguinaldo and his generals had capitulated to the new conquerors. To cut him off fromthe revolutionists, the Americans exiled Mabini to Guam. In 1902, his captors shipped him back to

the Islands because he promised to finally take his oath of allegiance to the United States of

America. But as soon as he landed in Manila, he pursued his revolutionary activities until his demise

by cholera in 1903. Apolinario Mabinislife is as testimony that there exists a politician who can forge

and sharpen the sword of his integrity in the smithy of even the dirtiest kind of politics and still

emerge unbroken, pure, and unblemished.

Mabining Mandir igma

Directed by the Cultural Center of the PhilippinesVice President and Artistic Director Chris Millado

and written by Dr. Nicanor Tiongson, the stellar cast is led by Leisl Batucan essaying the role of

Apolinario Mabini; promising young 2 tenors Arman Ferrer and David Ezra alternate as Emilio

Aguinaldo, while Carol Bello plays MabinisMother, Dionisia. They are joined by the promising talents

from the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company. The powerhouse Artistic Staff is comprised by Jed

Balsamo for Music, Denisa Reyes for Choreography, Toym Imao for Set Design, Katsch Catoy for

Lighting Design, GA Fallarme for Projection Design, James Reyes for Costume Design, Barbie Tan-

Tiongco for Technical Direction and TJ Ramos for Sound Design.

TANGHALANG PILIPINO BRINGS BACK THE POWERFUL STEAMPUNK MUSICAL,MABINING MANDIRIGMA, TO CAP OFF ITS 29TH SEASON


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Manila, Philippines Mabini means genteelor gentle,while mandirigma means warrior.

You put the two together and you get a play of words that describe the magnificent anachronism

that i s Tanghalang Pilipinos gender-bending steampunk musical hit play, Mabining Mandirigma.

With the overwhelming success of its initial run last July 2015 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines,Tanghalang Pilipino, the resident theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, with the

support of the National Commission for the Culture and Arts, brings back the hit musical play,

Mabining Mandirigmato cap off its 29th theatre season. Written by Dr. Nicanor Tiongson, this musical

play foregrounds the legal and diplomatic heroism of Apolinario Mabini. Coincidentally, as theculminating production to commemorate the sesquicentennial birth of who was considered the

brains of the revolution, Mabining M andirigma, once again promises audience to an excitingjourney through history as it uti lizes Steampunk, a subgenre of science fiction that incorporates

technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th Century industrial steam-powered machinery, a sa fitting backdrop to an already action-packed musical.

The musical off in 1898, as President Emilio AguinaldosAdviser, Cabinet President, and first Foreign

Minister, Mabini displayed awarriorsspirit that belied his paralytic body and a principled character

that could not be compromised by considerations of personal aggrandizement or politicalexpediency. Without fear, he fought the ilustrado-cacique clique in the Malolos Government that

issued government bonds that w ould allow them full control of the new governmentsfinances and

activities. When Aguinaldo replaced Mabini with the political chameleon Paterno as cabinet

president, Mabini, now much weakened by sickness, continued to support the masses fighting the

American invaders, even long after Aguinaldo and his generals had capitulated to the new

conquerors. To cut him off from the revolutionists, the Americans exiled Mabini to Guam. In 1902, his

captors shipped him back to the Islands because he promised to finally take his oath of allegiance

to the United States of America. But as soon as he landed in Manila, he pursued his revolutionary

activities until his demise by cholera in 1903. ApolinarioMabinislife is as testimony that there exists a

politician who can forge and sharpen the sword of his integrity in the smithy of even the dirt iest kind

of politics and stil l emerge unbroken, pure, and unblemished.

Despite that, Mabini remained a member of the minority, a character that belonged to a lessercategory that can only be described as theothers. Because of his disability, he shared the same

status as that of the women during that time. And what better way to explore this otheringthan

to a cast a woman to play Apolinario Mabini. For this run, Liesl Batucan owns the stage as the

sublime paralytic. One of the reasons of this untraditional casting is to experience the idea of

otheringin a musical w here you hear an alto amidst all the tenors and basses.

Mabining Mandirigma, A Steampunk Musical runs at the Cultural Center of the Philippines

Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater) from February 19 to March 13, 2016, Fridays to Sundays,

with 3:00PM (Matinee) and 8:00PM (Gala) shows.

WRITERS: JV Ibesate is part of the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company and last appeared in

Tanghalang Pilipinosproduction of Kanakan-BalintagosMga Buhay na Apoy. He graduated with a

degree in Broadcast Communication, cum laude, from the University of the Philippines, Diliman. JV

essays the role of political turncoat Pedro Paterno i n this production.

Christine Penserga is currentl y the Marketing M anager of the Tanghalang Pilipino. She graduated

from Philippinie High School for the Arts, majoring in Theater Arts.

Mabining Mandirigma: Of steampunk, politics, gender, and paralysis


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For inquiries contact:TANGHALANG PILIPINO

FOUNDATION, INC.2/F PDC Building, Cultural Center ofthe Philippines Complex

Roxas Boulev ard, Pasay CityMetro Manila, Philippines

T 632.832.1125 loc 1620/[email protected]: facebook.com/tanghalangpilipino


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Mabining Mandirigma

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