Tanghalang Pilipino's Ibalong

IBALONG – A DANCE MUSICAL OF BICOLANO EPIC

SET TO OPEN ON FEBRUARY 8

Tanghalang Pilipino caps its 26th season with a dance-theatre musical interpretation of the Bicolano epic, “Ibalong,” adapted for the stage by prolific playwright Rody Vera and directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio with Carol Bello’s musical direction, and Alden Lugnasin’s choreography.

IBALONG opens with a gala premiere on February 8 – 8 p.m. at the Tanghalang Aurelio V. Tolentino, Cultural Center of the Philippines. The musical will run until March 3, 2013.

Entitled after Legazpi City’s week-long festivity, “Ibalong,” the musical tells the story of Handyong and his warriors who come to Bicol – formerly known as Ibalon – and wage war against beasts and monsters pillaging the land’s natural wealth. Handyong mightily battles creatures bearing a solitary eye and three throats, several winged sharks, and wild carabaos.

In introducing civilization to the barbaric land, Handyong matches wit and might with the scheming snake, Oryol.  A master of deceit, Oryol disguises herself into a sweet, young lady in order to seduce Handyong. But not to be outwitted, Handyong eventually makes Oryol fall in love with him.

Their love story – between a warrior and a monster – defines the greatness of Bicol as it explores an individual’s capacity for good and evil, and a land’s history marked by progress and destruction.

The cast of IBALONG 

Jenine Desiderio - Oryol

May Bayot - Gugurang

Myke Salomon - Handyong

Red Nuestro - Opon

Delphine Buencamino - Koro / Understudy Oryol

Trixie Esteban - Young Oryol / Koro

Cheeno Macaraig - Young Handyong / Makusog / Kawal/ibingan

Tara Cabaero - Buring/Anino

Hazel Maranan - Onglo/Anino

Opaline Santos - Sarimao/Anino

Kristofer Kliatchko -Angongolood/Kawal

Cyril Balderama - Sarimao/Kawal

Philip Palmos - Kikik

TP’s Actor's Company

Jonathan Tadioan - Aswang / Koro

Marco Viaña -           Rabot/Koro

Remus Villanueva - Handyong / Kawal/Angongolood

Nicolo Magno -            Baltog / Koro

Ralph Mateo -Bantong / Kalabaw/ Tambaluslos/Kawal

Regina De Vera - Bonggo/Anino

Jovanni Cadag -Sarimao 

Doray Dayao - Popo/Anino

Nanding Josef, Artistic Director of Tanghalang Pilipino cited that this production which is being done in cooperation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the City of Legazpi of Bicol, is a special offering to the Bicolanos and the rest of the Filipino people who are committed to protecting our natural resources and cultural heritage from the onslaught of irresponsible commercialism, modernization, frenetic world trade and homogenizing globalization ---- all hiding under the name of human progress and development, but in reality, are all motivated by self-centered motives and selfish interests of the greedy, materialistic, powerful evil creatures of this earth which was originally created by the Supreme Being only for everything that is good, true and beautiful.

The artistic team of IBALONG

Nanding Josef - Artistic Director

Rody Vera - Playwright

Tuxqs Rutaquio - Director/Set Designer

Carol Bello - Composer/Musical Director

Rizalino Reyes & Inkantada, All-Women Group - Arranger

Leeroy New - Costume & Puppet Designer

Alden Lugnasin - Choreographer

Katsch Catoy - Lights Designer and Technical Director

TJ Ramos - Sound Designer

The production team

Jennifer Bautista - Production Manager

Alpha Joy Ruiz - Deputy Production Manager

Jo  Ann Requiestas - Assistant Production Manager

Jerome Aytona - Stage Manager

Noel Taylo and Eric Sindol - Assistant Stage Managers

Daniel Gregorio - Costume Custodian

Zaldy Baldelobar - Property Master

Raphael David - Make-Up and Prosthetic Artist

Jerry Ramirez - Stunt Choreography

Schedule of performances:

( Fri ) February 8, 15, 22, March 1, 2013 at 8:00 pm

( Sat ) February 9, 16, 23, March 2, 2013 at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm

( Sun ) February 10, 17, 24, March 3, 2013 at 3:00 pm

Ticket prices:

P 800.00 ( regular )

P 400.00 ( students )

P 640.00 (for senior citizens -- 20% discount on the regular price)

* For  the  Feb.  8  gala  night, tickets  are  at

P 1,000.00  ( regular )

P 500.00  ( students )

P 800.00 ( for senior citizens -- 20% discount on the regular price)

Support our contribution to save our planet, our environment, and our cultural heritage.

Don’t fail to watch IBALONG!

With elaborate costumes, energetic fight choreography, and haunting music, IBALONG guarantees audiences of all ages an enthralling experience rarely seen in original Filipino theatre.

Tickets are now available at all TicketWorld Outlets.  Call TicketWorld at 891-9999  and CCP Box Office at 832-3704.

For inquiries on ticket reservations, group sales, sponsorships, special performances, pleaes contact:

Juan Lorenzo Marco

Marketing Staff/Account Executive/Creatives

TANGHALANG PILIPINO

Cultural Center of the Philippines

2/F Production Design Bldg., CCP Complex

Roxas Blvd., Pasay City

Phone: 832-1125 local 1620/1621

Mobile: +639353784781

Email: onelorenzomarco@gmail.com

Twitter: @Acecredible