From Brecht’s very first production of the Caucasian Chalk Circle, to recent Filipino productions of students like Desaparesidos recognized by the theater elite, there is an undying energy within student theater groups. May it be the amateur plays of youngsters to quasi-professional campus theater groups, theirs is the most vibrant voices of our local theater scene.
Recognizing this power to express, Dr. Carl Balita Productions (in collaboration with PAGCOR) will now feature members of PUP’s Sining-lahi Polyrepertory, UP Manila Dramatista, Ateneo Entablado, Ateneo Blue Repertory, Baon Collective and UP Los Baños’ Umalohokan, Inc. in the MANO-MANO THEATER FESTIVAL.
And you can expect MANO-MANO to be an all-original, all-youth festival of these 4 one-act plays:
Takbo
Written by Dainty Cariaso. Directed by Allen Marquez. Starring Pauline Vengano and Rikki Burata.
Runaway college students Ramon and Weng must come to terms of their relationship as Weng grapples with an unplanned pregnancy and a future of domestication, away from her art of painting.
Huwag, John!
Written and directed by Johann Dale Reyes. Starring Rian Magtaan and Arvin Luna.
The story of two men – one loud screaming queen and one timid straight loner – who are entangled in a kidnapping scheme after what seemed to be a Grindr hookup.
Superboy
Written by Billy Lascano. Directed by Uriel Molina. Starring Ian Floro and Joshua Maaño.
Two individuals meet one night in Morayta in the middle of a thunderstorm. At first strangers, they came to realize their importance to each other after a common loved one has long since passed.
Isang Gabi sa Balete Drive
Written and directed by Isyan Sandoval. Starring Mariel Valentin, Paolo Andal and Joshua Maaño.
Two kids who are “sampaguita” vendors deliver sweet-smelling “sampaguita” to an unknown client one night in Balete Drive, until a mysterious lunatic interrupts them and tells them to leave before they are found by “Emilia”, the rumoured white lady of Balete Drive.
The Mano-Mano Theater Festival is a rare collaboration that will take pride in the power of youth in expressing the woes and joys of millennials. In itself, this is the new breed’s very own virgin labfest. So don’t dare miss it!
Catch the MANO-MANO FESTIVAL on October 19 (7pm) and October 20 & 21 (3pm & 7pm) at the CBRC Dream Theater. Tickets are at PHP150.00 and available at the Carl Balita Review Center at 2F Carmen Bldg, 881 G Tolentino St, cor. España Blvd, Sampaloc, Manila. For inquiries contact Gio Potes @ 09566600907 or e-mail us at drcarlbalitaproductions@gmail.com
You can also reserve tickets online : https://goo.gl/forms/pv4x6WvhY9v6Xrez2