TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
Written and photographed
By Jude Bautista
They were gone almost as quickly as they appeared from the darkness. Several young women dancing, twirling, carefree, laughing. One of them casually took off her blouse revealing her young, taut breasts. At that point she was a few steps away from the exit. Those of us at the back could see her breasts for a few precious seconds and was gone. Away from the peering eyes of the audience.
Marco Viaña (John Proctor) grabs Antonette Go (Abigail Williams); TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
Tanghalang Pilipino’s PAG-UUSIG is tantalizing in more way than one. The scene, or at least the nudity was a new addition from previous versions. As an adaptation to the new stage in the Black Box Theater (Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez). This is where the audience surrounds the stage, placed at the center. With exits in the end of short aisles. Hence, the dancer removing her blouse, was well into the row between viewers.
It was an opening scene highlighting the scandalous affair that sparked the ‘hysteria’ in PAG UUSIG, an adaptation of Arthur Miller’s THE CRUCIBLE.
Lhorvie Nuevo (Elizabeth Proctor) is held by from left: Edrick Alcontado (Giles Cheever) and Daniel Gregorio (Judge Hathorne); TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
6 Gawad Buhay Awards
Director Dennis Marasigan, pointed out the new venue as a source of inspiration. Marasigan has also been promoted as CCP Artistic Director. In 2017, the company was working with the burden of Arthur Miller’s illustrious play.
CCP Artistic Director and PAG UUSIG director Dennis Marasigan; TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
This time TP has the burden of its own success. As PAG UUSIG won several awards almost sweeping the major categories in 2017, Gawad Buhay: Outstanding Play, Outstanding Ensemble Performance, Outstanding Translation Adaptation (Jerry Respeto), Outstanding Stage Director (Dennis Marasigan), Outstanding Male Performance in a Play (JV Ibesate) and Oustanding Male Featured Performance in a Play (Marco Viaña).
Lhorvie Nuevo (Elizabeth Proctor) and Marco Viaña (John Proctor). TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
TP Pillars
Lead actor Marco Viaña was also recently promoted to Associate Artistic Director for Tanghalang Pilipino. JV Ibesate is no longer part of this cast, has moved on as a freelance writer and communicator for events. Both of them won awards at the 2017 Gawad Buhay.
Antonette Go (Abigail Williams) screams out her vision; TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
Lhorvie Nuevo (Elizabeth), Antonette Go (Abigail) and Jonathan Tadioan (Deputy Governor Danforth), along with Viaña are the remaining cast members from the previous version. The trio may be nominated for several awards from Gawad Buhay or Aliw from their riveting performances this year.
Go, recently married Ronelson Yadao a Senior Choreographer in ARDP (Alice Reyes Dance Philippines). Members of TP and ARDP were there at the nuptials, including director Dennis Marasigan and cast mates.
Bottom: Judie Dimayuga (Tituba) is questioned by From left: Earl Figuracion (Rev. Samuel Parris), Mark Lorenz (Rev. John Hale) and Vince Macapobre (Thomas Puttnam). TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
New Versatile Cast
TP was able to attract a host of talented actors. Not surprisingly, most if not all are also accomplished in other fields – Judie Dimayuga (Tituba) gender equality activist and lawyer and is a member of the Philippine Commission on Women’s National Gender and Development Resource Pool, Mark Lorenz (Rev. John Hale) is an architect has also written and directed award winning plays for Teatro Peninsulares of Bataan Peninsula State University, Arjhay Babon (Giles Corey) served as one of the executive committee members of the NCCA’s Subcommission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts from 2017-2019.
From left: Judie Dimayuga (Tituba), Arjhay Babon (Giles Corey) and Francesca Dela Cruz (Susana Walcott). TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
From left: Vince Macapobre (Thomas Puttnam), Heart Puyong (Ann Puttnam), Mark Lorenz (Rev. John Hale) and Arjhay Babon (Giles Corey). TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
Adapting to the Blackbox Theater
TP has a new home in the newly inaugurated Tangahalang Ignacio Gimenez. The space has a movable / retractable stage and audience seating. This depends on the needs of the event. According to Director Dennis Marasigan some of the adjustments were to accommodate the new space, “First for those who have seen this production, of course that was in Tanghalang Huseng Batute, which was a much smaller venue. For this the audience configuration is different. Nung pinalabas sa Huseng Batute, walang audience sa side na to (points to whole left side).”
From left: REP Musical Director Ejay Yatco and CCP Artistic Dir. Dennis Marasigan. TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
Getting both new and established cast to work together seamlessly was one of his goals, “Evidently we had to change the staging and the blocking. Tapos also those who might be familiar with the company, two thirds of the cast are new. So they’re doing this production for the first time. The idea was to try to get everybody working at the same level. Hopefully, that you won’t notice, many of them are new.”
From left: Antonette Go (Abigail Williams), Sarah Monay (Betty Parris), Mitzi Comia (Mercy Lewis) and Aggy Mago (Mary Warren). TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
There were also those (including myself) who noticed the themes of PAG UUSIG drew comparisons to Duterte’s Drug War, Red tagging and many other issues, “Try to know the relevance and the resonance of what the play is at the present time. In 2017 and 2018, times were very different. Things were happening in society around us. That actually predicated the mounting of the production. Times are a little different but we hope there’s also something that you found relevant in the play. Or timely at least gives us reason why we need to put up this play at this time.”
TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
Culture of Impunity
Sadly, during the run of PAG UUSIG, there are some indications that the Culture of Impunity that started during the Duterte Administration is rearing its ugly head.
TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
“Mamintal Adiong governor of the southern province of Lanao del Sur, was shot and wounded in February in an attack that killed his driver and three police escorts.That same month (February), the vice-mayor of the northern town of Aparri, Rommel Alameda, and five other people who were travelling with him were shot dead in a highway ambush.” From Philstar: Negros Oriental governor shot dead in latest attack on Philippine politicians
And most recently Governor Roel Degamo of Negros Oriental was assassinated together with barangay officials and supporters last March 4, 2023. All violent incidents occurring within a span of one month.
TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
Hysteria
Along with thousands dead from the drug war of the Duterte administration, there were a total of 25 local executives such as Mayors and Vice Mayors killed. Including Mayor Ronaldo Espinosa of Albuerta Town Leyte, who was shot in his cell at the Baybay City Provincial Jail Nov 5, 2016. From ABS CBN News: Mayors and Vice Mayors killed during Duterte administration
TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
There are parallelisms between the baseless accusations in PAG UUSIG, originally written by Arthur Miller and translated by Jerry Respeto. The mere accusation of being involved in drugs is already a death sentence. The hysteria that can get people killed during the Salem Witch trials is the same hysteria in today’s brazen assassinations of Governors and Mayors and thousands of ordinary people.
From left: Antonette Go (Abigail Williams), Sarah Monay (Betty Parris) and Mitzi Comia (Mercy Lewis). TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
There’s still hope, the current administration of President Bong Bong Marcos can put an end to this culture of impunity that has been the legacy of President Duterte.
Lhorvie Nuevo (Elizabeth Proctor) and Marco Viaña (John Proctor). TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
TRUTH in Today’s Context
TP Associate Artistic Director Marco Viaña said it best. Truth according to him is a source of inspiration for his own performance, “Ako share ko yung journey ko nung kinikilala si Proctor. Isa sa mga na diskubre namin. Yung importansya ng katotohanan sa panahon ngayon. Yon yung sobrang pinaglalaban nung character ni Proctor. So naging question para sa sarili ko yon. Ano ba yung mga katotohanan na kaya kong ipaglaban? Yon ang pinaghahawakan ko. Sa pagtranslate ng personality ko in relation to Proctor.”
Antonette Go (Abigail Williams) and Marco Viaña (John Proctor). TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista (18)
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TP Artistic Director Tata Nanding Josef; TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
From left: Antonette Go (Abigail Williams), Sarah Monay (Betty Parris) and Mitzi Comia (Mercy Lewis). TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista (21)
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From left: Antonette Go (Abigail Williams), Sarah Monay (Betty Parris) and Marco Viaña (John Proctor). TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
From left: Arjhay Babon (Giles Corey) and Mark Lorenz (Rev. John Hale). TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
Facing front, From left: Antonette Go (Abigail Williams), Sarah Monay (Betty Parris) and Earl Figuracion (Rev. Samuel Parris). TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista (24)
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Facing front from left: Edrick Alcontado (Giles Cheever), Jonathan Tadioan (Deputy Governor Danforth) and Vince Macapobre (Thomas Puttnam). TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
Standing from left: Antonette Go (Abigail Williams), Earl Figuracion (Rev. Samuel Parris), Mark Lorenz (Rev. John Hale), – behind: Arjhay Babon (Giles Corey), Heart Puyong (Ann Puttnam) and Vince Macapobre (Thomas Puttnam). TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
Aggy Mago (Mary Warren) and Marco Viaña (John Proctor); TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
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Amadis Ma. Guerrero and Glaiza Lee; TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
From left: Lhorvie Nuevo (Elizabeth Proctor), Marco Viaña (John Proctor), Arjhay Babon (Giles Corey) and Mark Lorenz (Rev. John Hale). TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
Lhorvie Nuevo (Elizabeth Proctor) and Marco Viaña (John Proctor). TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista (30)
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From right: Antonette Go (Abigail Williams), Sarah Monay (Betty Parris), Mitzi Comia (Mercy Lewis) and Monique Nellas-Bagadiong (Rebecca Nurse). TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
Aggy Mago (Mary Warren) and Marco Viaña (John Proctor); TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
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Prof. Xiao Chua gives two thumbs up; TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
From left: Jonathan Tadioan (Deputy Governor Danforth), Edrick Alcontado (Giles Cheever), Lhorvie Nuevo (Elizabeth Proctor) and Mark Lorenz (Rev. John Hale). TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista (35)
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Lhorvie Nuevo (Elizabeth Proctor) and Marco Viaña (John Proctor). TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
From left: Antonette Go (Abigail Williams) and Aggy Mago (Mary Warren). TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista (38)
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CCP Artistic Director and PAG UUSIG director Dennis Marasigan; TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
Antonette Go (Abigail Williams) and Marco Viaña (John Proctor). TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
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TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,
http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,
http://judebautista.wordpress.com/
Lhorvie Nuevo (Elizabeth Proctor); TP’s PAG UUSIG, based on Arthur Millers THE CRUCIBLE, will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Black Box Theater from Feb. 17-Mar. 12, 2023. Photo by Jude Bautista
http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,
http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,