UP Playwrights’ Theatre’s 25th Season Presents Distrito de Molo

ARTISTIC TEAM

Playwright Leoncio P. Deriada
Direction Tony Mabesa
Filipino translation Allan Palileo
Dramaturgy Ina Azarcon-Bolivar
Costume Design Eric Pineda 
Set Design Nick Deocampo
Lights Design Shax Siasoco 
Sound Design Jethro Joaquin
Choreography Fritz Esase 
Assoc Sound Ric Lorenzo
Photography Dino Dimar 
Poster Steven Tansiongco

The cast of Distrito De Molo 

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 
Candy Pangilinan

PERFORMANCE DATES:

First Week

October 12 (Wednesday) – 7 PM ENGLISH

October 13 (Thursday) – 7 PM ENGLISH

October 14 (Friday) – 7 PM ENGLISH

October 15 (Saturday) – 10 AM & 3 PM ENGLISH

October 16 (Sunday) – 10 AM & 3 PM ENGLISH

Second Week

October 19 (Wednesday) – 7 PM FILIPINO

October 20 (Thursday) – 7 PM FILIPINO

October 21 (Friday) – 7 PM FILIPINO

October 22 (Saturday) – 10 AM & 3 PM FILIPINO

October 23 (Sunday) – 10 AM & 3 PM FILIPINO

Third Week

October 26 (Wednesday) – 7 PM ENGLISH

October 27 (Thursday) – 7 PM Filipino FILIPINO

October 28 (Friday) – 7 PM English ENGLISH

October 29 (Saturday) – 10 AM ENGLISH & 3 PM FILIPINO

October 30 (Sunday) – 10 AM ENGLISH & 3 PM FILIPINO

VENUE: 

Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater

2/F Palma Hall, UP Diliman, Quezon City

TICKET PRICE:

Php 500.00 Regular Ticket Price

*Discounts are available for bulk purchases

For inquiries, please contact:

ARKEL MENDOZA

Marketing Manager

0908 814 9975

ABOUT THE PLAY

UP Playwrights' Theatre for its 25th Theatre Season brings the world premier of 2016 Gawad sa CCP Para sa Sining in Literature awardee Professor Emeritus Leoncio P. Deriada's "Distrito de Molo".  It is directed by 2016 Gawad sa CCP Para sa Sining in Theatre awardee Tony Mabesa.  Distrito de Molo will be presented in its original English version as well as a Filipino version that is translated by Palanca Award winner Allan Palileo. Distrito de Molo is set in one of the seven districts of Iloilo City called Molo formerly known as the Parian of Iloilo where most of the Chinese residents live.   It is composed of three (3) plays taking place in three different timelines: Tres Hermanas de Molo, Atlas de Molo and Venus de Molo with each play showing the history, magic and the myths of the profound district.   

Tres Hermanas de Molo

The first play has a setting during the late 1950s and revolves around the post-war lives of three wealthy unmarried sisters living at their stately mansion in Molo, all of whom carry a dark secret past.  The eldest of the three Locsin sisters named Visitacion, accepts her faith from being unmarried seeing it as a penance for her past sins.  While the other two sisters, Asuncion and Salvacion being discontented, has other thoughts in their minds.  After revealing to each other their misdeeds and wrong doings, they call upon the ghosts of their past, asking for forgiveness and freedom from their burdens.  Together with their very loyal nanny named Maura, they look forward for new beginnings of their lives.  

Atlas de Molo

The second play, Atlas de Molo, is set in contemporary times.  It is about two young newlyweds, Eric and Lorena Avanceña, who recently moved into the crumbling and rather deteriorating ancestral house of the Avanceña's in Molo. 

In the estate sits a garden with a dry fountain where the statue of Greek Titan Atlas stands.  One night, the statue of Atlas comes to life and puts the Earth the he carries on his shoulder down and has a conversation with Eric.  He taunts and provokes Eric to carry the Earth on his shoulder as a test of strength.  What happens next will change their lives forever.

Venus de Molo

The third play, Venus de Molo, is set in the 1930s, and revolves around the life of the wealthy and eccentric Don Guillermo Arroyo, who is rather obsessed of having his own “Venus de Milo.” He ask the service of a local sculptor, Crispino Marañon, to make a marble statue of “Venus de Molo” for him. But unknown to Crispino, Don Arroyo does not intend to pay any compensation for his services.  

The play has themes of: History, Identity, Hopes, and Dreams.

Below you can find the first behind-the-scenes and outtakes of UP Playwrights' Theatre Distrito de Molo: Tres Hermanas de Molo

Image Credit: DUP Official Page