“DESAPARESIDOS,” an adaptation of Lualhati Bautista’s novel, will be performed from August 17 to September 2, 2018 at the Areté in Ateneo de Manila University.
SYNOPSIS
desaparecido
(adjective)
1: late, deceased
2: missing
(noun)
: missing person
Desaparesidos follows the lives of Anna and Roy, two rebels fighting the injustices of Martial Law. Though they manage to survive the years and atrocities of the Marcos dictatorship, they find that negotiating a normal family life post the 1986 Revolution is just as hard a battle to fight. As they search for Anna’s daughter from a first marriage, they must contend with their daughter that they themselves estranged during their years in the NPA. And though they helped liberate the nation, they must find their way through the guilt for those they lost and betrayed, lest they lose their own souls forever.
ABOUT DESAPARESIDOS
In 2016, the burial of Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, sparked a wave of new plays and theater productions. Among these was Ateneo Entablado’s Desaparesidos, adapted and directed for the stage by Guelan Varela-Luarca from the novel of Lualhati Bautista. The production received overwhelming positive feedback and was chosen by the Philippine Daily Inquirer as the Best Full Length Play for 2016.
In August and September of this year, a new staging of Desaparesidos will open, in cooperation with the new Areté of the Ateneo de Manila University. This powerful play is being brought back so that more people, especially those from generations born after Martial Law, may experience what that period in history was like. This is why this particular run aims to reach as many young people as possible. After each show, there will be post-show talk-back sessions with families of Martial Law activists and victims – real-life desaparesidos.
Theater has the capacity to transform a historical narrative into a visceral experience. Desaparesidos can create empathy with the victims of the late dictator, and an understanding of how that period in time still affects the society today. Hopefully, through this empathy, a deeper comprehension of Martial Law will be instilled in today’s youth.
VENUE
The Doreen Black Box Theater
Arts Wing, Areté
Ateneo de Manila University
Katipunan Ave, Quezon City, 1108 Metro Manila
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/QYjqTppEF8N2
SHOW DATES
August 17, 2018, Friday, 7:00pm
August 18, 2018, Saturday, 2:00pm
August 18, 2018, Saturday, 7:00pm
August 19, 2018, Sunday, 2:00pm
August 24, 2018, Friday, 7:00pm
August 25, 2018, Saturday, 2:00pm
August 25, 2018, Saturday, 7:00pm
August 26, 2018, Sunday, 10:00am
August 26, 2018, Sunday, 2:00pm
August 31, 2018, Friday, 7:00pm
September 1, 2018, Saturday, 2:00pm
September 1, 2018, Saturday, 7:00pm
September 2, 2018, Sunday, 10:00am
September 2, 2018, Sunday, 2:00pm
TICKETS AND INQUIRIES
For ticket reservations, bulk purchases, and show buying, contact any of the following:
- Kalil Almonte (0917-327 8613)
- Camille Guevara (0917-823 9531)
You can also email desaparesidos2018@gmail.com or send a message thru the official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/desaparesidos2018/.
ARTISTIC TEAM
Adaptation and Direction by Guelan Varela-Luarca
Set Design by Charles Yee
Choreography by Jomelle Era
Lights Design and Technical Direction by Dennis Cortezano
Sounds Design by Arvy Dimaculangan
Costumes Design by Rowel Pasion
Graphics Design by Steven Tansiongco
OTHER OFFERING
Students and teachers who purchase tickets to Desaparesidos have the option to avail of any of the following additional offering:
- Study Guide
The study guide will help teachers maximize class discussions and reflection papers. It contains explanations of underlying theories in the play. It also includes some guide questions, with corresponding answers, which will aid in the understanding of both the text and the performance.
- Campus Tour
Desaparesidos has partnered with the Loyola Schools Office of Admission and Aid to conduct a Campus Tour before/after watching the play. This is a good opportunity, especially for senior high school students, to learn more about the facilities and courses offered in Ateneo.
- Ateneo Art Gallery Tour
The Ateneo Art Gallery (AAG) is a progressive space devoted to Philippine Contemporary Art, as well as to creative responses to pressing social issues. Desaparesidos has partnered with AAG to conduct a guided tour of the museum before/after watching the play. Refer to the AAAG website to see the works that are currently on exhibit: http://ateneoartgallery.org/
- Parent’s Discount
Students are encouraged to bring their parents. School administrators are encouraged to recommend that parents watch the play with their child so that he or she can be guided as they process the material together.
