Teatrong Mulat to Present Back-to-Back Puppetry Shows This July
This July, Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas is set to stage a limited puppetry production run with their newest offering, "TABULA RASA Dalawang Dula sa Kulay ng Buhay." This twin-bill production, scheduled from July 12 to 14, 2024, is a fundraising project to support director-puppeteer Aina Ramolete's pursuit of higher studies at the University of Connecticut. The venue is at the Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio Teatro Papet Museo in Quezon City.
Prinsipe Bahaghari: A Vibrant Adaptation of The Little Prince
The first play, Prinsipe Bahaghari, is a Filipino puppetry adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince by Vladimeir Gonzales. This award-winning production tells the story of a young prince who encounters various extraordinary characters, leading to profound realizations about his relationship with a flower named Gumamela. The play is rich in colors and animation videos, utilizing Bunraku-style puppetry, where three puppeteers manipulate a single puppet. Suitable for audiences aged five and above, Prinsipe Bahaghari offers valuable life lessons on loneliness, friendship, love, and loss.
The artistic team behind this production includes Vladimeir Gonzales (Playwright), Aina Ramolete (Director, Illustrator & Production Designer), Amihan Bonifacio-Ramolete (Producer & Assistant Director), Steven Tansiongco (Graphics & Video Designer), Ohm David (Set Designer), Arvy Dimaculangan (Music & Sound Designer), Jessamae Gabon (Additional Music Design), Darwin Desoacido (Costume Designer), Gabo Tolentino (Lights Designer), siglo (Additional Shadow Puppet Designer & Publicity Manager), Clariz Caingat (Character Illustrator), Shenn Apilado & Satya Edilo (Technical Director), El-j Lacanilao (Stage Manager), and Janno Castillo (Production Manager).
Puting Gunaw: A Poignant Examination of War and Humanity
The second play, Puting Gunaw, is based on National Artist for Theater Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio’s original play, White Holocaust or a Pacific Playwright's Protest Against the Bomb. This monochromatic yet expressive production delves into the impact of war and violence on humanity, examining the lives, expressions, and aspirations of various characters such as 2 Karpintero, Chismoso’t Chismosa, Nanay, Anak, and Iskolar. Puting Gunaw employs a two-puppeteer performance, featuring the debut of a mother-daughter puppeteer tandem of Amihan and Aina Ramolete. This play is suitable for audiences aged 13 and above.
The artistic team for Puting Gunaw includes Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio (Playwright), Vladimeir Gonzales (Filipino Adaptation Writer), Aina Ramolete (Director, Illustrator, Production Designer & Puppeteer), Amihan Bonifacio-Ramolete (Producer & Puppeteer), Alice Gonzales (Dramaturg), JM Cabling (Movement Designer), siglo (Shadow Puppet Designer & Publicity Manager), Steven Tansiongco (Video Designer), Ohm David (Set Designer), Arvy Dimaculangan (Music & Sound Designer), Harvey Sallador (Puppet Designer), Andrei Fabricante (Lights Designer & Technical Director), Satya Edilo (Technical Director), El-j Lacanilao (Stage Manager), and Janno Castillo (Production Manager).
A Unique Viewing Experience
Teatrong Mulat offers three viewing options for TABULA RASA: audiences can choose to watch both Prinsipe Bahaghari and Puting Gunaw, or select either play individually. Performances of Prinsipe Bahaghari are scheduled for 3:08 PM and 7:08 PM, with Puting Gunaw following at 4:23 PM and 8:23 PM after a 15-minute intermission.
Proceeds from ticket and merchandise sales will aid in funding Aina Ramolete's education, as she is also a grant recipient of the 2024 Asian Cultural Council.
"TABULA RASA Dalawang Dula sa Kulay ng Buhay" runs from July 12 to 14 at Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio Teatro Papet Museo, 64 Mapagkawanggawa Street, Teacher’s Village, Diliman, Quezon City. Tickets are priced at P1,500 for both plays, P1,000 for Prinsipe Bahaghari alone, and P800 for Puting Gunaw alone. Tickets are available through Ticket2Me.
