TANGHALANG PILIPINO

Company Profile

TANGHALANG PILIPINO was founded in 1987 as the resident

theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
It aims to promote Philippine theater that is rooted in centuries-
old Filipino culture and history while being responsive to evolving
contemporary society.

Tanghalang Pilipino is unique among other theater groups in the

Philippines as it maintains a core of actors whose full-time
training in acting is subsidized by the company. Known as the
Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company, these actors are tapped for
the company’s season repertoire and special performances. The
actors who have graduated from the Actors Company now
comprise the most sought-after stable of talents in television,
cinema and commercial advertising.

Tanghalang Pilipino maintains the highest standards in artistic

discipline, technical skill and professional conduct. It presents an
annual season of plays at the CCP consisting of original Filipino
works, both classic and contemporary, as well as translations and
adaptations of theater materials from Asia and other parts of the
globe. It also conducts regular theater education and training
programs in acting, directing, playwriting and production
management. These programs are open to students, non-
professional theater enthusiasts, corporate clients and
professional theater practitioners. In addition to honing skills for
onstage performance, Tanghalang Pilipino also commits itself to
the development of an active audience for Filipino theater
through its nurture of the native language as its primary medium
for its productions and by bringing its performances to venues
outside its home at the CCP -- including non-traditional
performance spaces – to various parts of the country and
overseas, especially locations with large Filipino communities.

TP has successfully presented more than 200 full productions

within 22 seasons while generating one of the best audience
attendance records among CCP’s resident companies. Its earliest
repertoire was guided by the vision of Nonon Padilla, its founding
Artistic Director (1987-2002), and sustained by Herbert Go
(2002-2006), and Dennis Marasigan (2006-2008). Tanghalang
Pilipino is currently on its 22nd Theater Season under the artistic
direction of Fernando Josef.

TANGHALANG PILIPINO FOUNDATION, INC.

2/F PDC Building, Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex
Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City
Metro Manila, Philippines
Telephone: (02) 832-1125, locals 1620 & 1621
Telefax: 832-3661
e-maill: ccptanghalan@yahoo.com
website: www.tanghalangpilipino.com
THE VISION
To raise Philippine Theater to heights of professional and artistic excellence.

THE MISSION
Tanghalang Pilipino, to this end, will:
 Develop theater artists by giving them opportunities for training and performance that will refine
their skills and their art.
 Develop playwrights by including original Filipino plays in each theater season.
 Bring to the experience of both artists and audience the best of Philippine and global tradition.
 Educate and awaken the cultural consciousness of the Filipino audience
 Form the nucleus for a future national theater.

OBJECTIVES
This it will do through the following concrete measures:
 Form an actors’ company, and design plans for their training, development through performance,
and sustenance through professional remuneration.
 Stage a carefully planned yearly season of plays which will include original Filipino plays, traditional
and contemporary, foreign plays in translation and/or adaptation, the hallmark of all of which is
professional and artistic excellence.
 Develop the Philippine theater audience through didactic theater performances, marketing
programs and other related activities like symposia, seminars, etc.
 Encourage and develop Philippine writing by commissioning and providing opportunities for staging
original Filipino plays in dialogue and cooperation with the playwright.
 Reach out to other theater artists and companies in Manila and the provinces by tours, exchanges,
guest directors, guest artists, and other outreach entertainment foci, even company anniversaries,
parties, town fiestas, and overseas companies through cultural and exchange agreements.
 Build a better theater arts management academe which will impart more training in the technical
aspect, management-wise, marketing-wise and production-wise.

THE LOGO________________________________________________________

The logo that Tanghalang Pilipino Foundation, Inc. has adopted is an image from one of the primitive
tribes in the Philippines, the Hanunoo-Mangyan of Mindoro. It is a standard motif dominant in the tribe’s
basket and mat weaves. The image of man was chosen among the other symbols in the belief that this
theater company has a commitment to contribute aggressively in the development of Philippine drama. It
is our belief that the actor is the cornerstone of the theater, and man, as subject, focuses on his privileged
function to express the great archetypes, the great myths.

The pattern from the weaving was deemed appropriate, and indeed significant, in the light of the
communal nature of theater work, an interlacing of many artistic elements and disciplines creating the
tapestry of human endeavor and experience.

But why a symbol from a primitive tribe? The image of man is universal and if we take the original Latin
meaning of the word primitive, it reflects the very nature of the actor as springboard for the art of theater:
“Primitivus”, originally meant the first of its kind, the origin.

Tanghalang Pilipino desires to develop a theater that is universal, presenting in Filipino the best in theater
pieces: William Shakespeare, Anton Chekov, Aristophanes, Maxim Gorky, Samuel Beckett, Luigi Pirandello,
Oscar Wilde, Vaclav Havel, Henrik Ibsen, Jean Genet, Moliere and others; but most of all, our very own
playwrights: Nick Joaquin, Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero, Jose Dalisay, Bienvenido Noriega, Rolando Tinio, Orlando
Nadres, Tony Perez, Rene Villanueva, Paul Dumol, Mario O’Hara, Malou Jacob, Bienvenido Lumbera, and
the others.
 THE ACTORS’ COMPANY________________

BOARD OF TRUSTEES / COMPANY

OFFICERS

ANTONIO O. COJUANGCO
Chairman
In line with its vision of developing well-trained
Filipino actors, the company maintains a regular
EMILIE TIONGCO
training program for actors through its Actors’
Treasurer
Company. The Actors’ Company is directed towards
developing the activity of a theater from a dilettante’s
JOSE CLARO S. TESORO passatiempo or hobby to a profession, whereby he is
Corporate Secretary recognized and given credit for his duties and
responsibilities as artists in residence. The only one
of its kind in the country, the Actors’ Company is a
MARIEL N. FRANCISCO pool of professional theater actors who go through
MA. LOURDES A. GAMBOA intensive training in acting, movement, dance, voice,
MARIA THERESA PRIETO VALDES script analysis, improvisation, directing and other
MARIA RESSA related courses. Members of this prestigious and
IMELDA NICOLAS privileged group are among the most respected artists
DOREEN YU in Philippine theater, television and film communities.
Members Some of the actors who trained under this program
are: Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino, Noni
Buencamino, Irma Adlawan-Marasigan, Allan Paule,
FERNANDO C. JOSEF John Arcilla, Garry Lim and CCP’s former Vice
Artistic Director President and Artistic Director, Fernando Josef.

WORKSHOPS______________________
JOSEFINA F. ESTRELLA
Associate Artistic Director/Executive Director Tanghalang Pilipino offers classes in Children’s
Theater, Teen Theater, Musical Theater for Teens,
Beginning Acting, Acting in Musical Theater and
SVETLANA P. MACAYAN Rehearsal and Performance Techniques during its
Company Manager annual Summer Theater Workshop. Workshops may
also be designed to suit the requirements of schools,
companies and municipalities as an alternative activity
for their members.
OUTREACH PROGRAMS______________ INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCES

PAGLIPAS NG DILIM
(Sarswela)
by Leon Ignacio & Precioso Palma
Directed by Nonon Padilla
Canada Tour
1991

MAC MALICSI, T.N.T.

By Jose Dalisay
Directed by Nonon Padilla
Toyama International Theater Festival
Toyama, Japan
1992

EL FILIBUSTERISMO
(The Musical)
Libretto by Paul Dumol & Jovy Miroy
Music by Ryan Cayabyab
Directed by Nonon Padilla
Japan Tour
1993

KALANTIAO
By Rene Villanueva
Directed by Robert Cantarella
Philippine Festival of Arts & Culture in France
1994-1995
Theater Le Rond Point, France
1994

NOLI ME TANGERE
(The Musical)
Libretto by Bienvenido Lumbera
Music by Ryan Cayabyab
Directed by Nonon Padilla
Malaysia Tour
1995

NOLI ME TANGERE / EL
FILIBUSTERISMO
Japan Tour
1995

HIMALA: THE MUSICALE

Libretto by Ricky Lee
Music by Vincent de Jesus
Directed by Soxie Topacio
Asian Contemporary Theater Festivel
Shanghai, China
2007
The company also services the CCP Outreach Program with performances in the regions, as well as
overseas. Mac Malicsi, TNT Sa America toured nationwide after a series of performances in Japan in 1992.
Paglipas Ng Dilim, a sarswela, toured Canada in 1991. El Filibusterismo (The Musical) toured four major
cities in Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Fukoyama and Hiroshima) from September to October 1993. The theatrical
event was made possible upon the invitation and sponsorship of the Japan Foundation Asean Culture
Center. TP was also invited to perform Orosman at Zafira, Kalantiaw and Poetry Reading in the Philippine
Festival of Arts and Culture in Paris, France in May 1994. Anatomiya Ng Korupsiyon, a play on corruption
in the government, made the rounds of government offices in 2002-2003. Ang Romansa ni Magno Rubio,
after enjoying standing ovation performances during its initial run at the CCP, toured key cities in Luzon,
Visayas and Mindanao in 2004. Last year (2007) Him ala, The Musicale was brought to China as the
official Philippine entry to the Asian Contemporary Theater Festival held in Shanghai.

As part of its continued commitment to make theater more accessible to all audiences, TP also initiates
other outreach activities. Public school students and select urban poor community dwellers get a taste of
the classics via R’meo Luvs Dew-Lhiett, a “jologs” adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”. The
production has toured universities and the city of Baguio in 2005. From its Children’s Theater arm, TP has
also produced two remarkable touring productions. Prinsipe Ng Buwan, an interactive children’s musical
about the environment, was toured in different schools and municipalities in Metro Manila from 1990-1992,
and again in 2004-2005. Pinocchio (Gusto Mo Ba’ng Maging Tao?) , a philosophical rendering of the well-
loved children’s tale filled with music and whimsical costumes, has been touring Manila and key cities in
Luzon since 2002.
RECENT AWARDS__________________________________________________

MARIO O’HARA, “Ang Pokpok ng Ohio”, Best Stage Actor, 2006 Aliw Awards

IRMA ADLAWAN-MARASIGAN, “Ang Pokpok ng Ohio”, Best Stage Actress, 2006 Aliw Awards

EULA VALDES, “Zsazsa Zaturnnah (Ze Muzikal)”, Best Actress in a Musical, 2006 Aliw Awards

“ANG ROMANSA NI MAGNO RUBIO”, Best Non-Musical Production, 2005 Aliw Awards

IRMA ADLAWAN-MARASIGAN, “Speaking In Tongues (Salitang Dila)”, Best Stage Actress, 2005 Aliw
Awards

SOXY TOPACIO, “Himala (The Musicale)”, Best Director for a Musical, 2004 Aliw Awards

MAY BAYOT, “Himala (The Musicale)”, Best Actress for a Musical, 2004 Aliw Awards

“INSIANG”, Best Non-Musical Production, 2003 Aliw Awards

CHRIS MILLADO, “Insiang”, Best Stage Director, 2003 Aliw Awards

MALOU DE GUZMAN, “Insiang”, Best Stage Actress, 2003 Aliw Awards

RICKY DAVAO, “Insiang”, Best Stage Actor, 2003 Aliw Awards

“ONE HUNDRED SONGS OF MARY HELEN FEE”, Best Non-Musical Production, 2002 Aliw Awards

NONON PADILLA, “One Hundred Songs of Mary Helen Fee”, Best Stage Director, 2002 Aliw Awards

IRMA ADLAWAN-MARASIGAN, “One Hundred Songs of Mary Helen Fee”, Best Stage Actress, 2002 Aliw
Awards

“AGUINALDO 1899: ANG PAGPATAY KAY LUNA”, Best Musical Production, 2002 Aliw Awards

“INSIANG”, Best Play, 2003 Aliw Awards

CHRIS MILLADO, “Insiang”, Best Director, 2003 Aliw Awards

RICKY DAVAO, “Insiang”, Best Stage actor, 2003 Aliw Awards

MALOU DE GUZMAN, “Insiang”, Best Stage Actress, 2003 Aliw Awards

EULA VALDEZ, “Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah, Ze Muzikal”, Best Stage Actress, 2006 Aliw Awards

2009 GAWAD BUHAY (PHILSTAGE):

Outstanding Production of a Full-Length Play:

“Golden Child” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Outstanding Production of a One-Act Play:

“Ang Kalungkutan ng Mga Reyna” (Tanghalang Pilipino)
Outstanding Stage Direction:
Loy Arcenas (“Golden Child”)

Outstanding Original Play:

Floy Quintos’ “Ang Kalungkutan ng Mga Reyna”

Outstanding Ensemble Performance:

The Cast of “Golden Child” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Outstanding Female Lead Performance in a Play:

Shamaine Centenera Buencamino (“Ang Kalungkutan ng Mga Reyna”)

Outstanding Male Featured Performance in a Play:

Bong Cabrera (“Kudeta”)

Outstanding Translation/ Adaptation:

George de Jesus III (“Kudeta”)

Outstanding Set Design:

Loy Arcenas (“Golden Child”) and
Tuxqs Rutaquio (“Kudeta”)

Outstanding Lighting Design:

Dennis Marasigan (“Kudeta”)