Enduring past
It was a night of reuniting the past actors of the play "Ang Papeles" with the current ones. And through the years, it has proven that the message of the play, the struggles, and victories of our revolutionaries, remains relevant until this day.
It was indeed an opportunity to once again be grateful for the people who played various roles and come to witness the play that they have taken part years back ago. Batch after batch, they know who have played their part in the past, and the present.
To the following: Dr. Rhodora Lafradez and Lourma Pekitpekit who brought their children to show them the impact of what theater has done to their studies and career. To the other actors who were present: Armida Montecillo-Flores, Daisy Pardillo-Tabasa, Darmae Maningo-Tan, Eula Alegrado-Pantoja, Christopher Pantoja, Renato Rojo Jr., Ranulfo Visaya Jr., and Nasvin del Rosario; to the other alumni Dale Israel, Romeo Bonsocan, Denzel Yorong, Danielle Balanga, Francis Lean Abayata, Mayti Zosa, Emem Manuel, and those who gave their financial support, thank you so much!
One grateful soul who graced the performance, who has already created a name in the local politics, Ms. Emi Rose S. Remoroza-Parcon, who played the role of Esperanza, was gracious enough to say some good words about her experience.
"My soul is happy. Tonight, I met the new generation of UPSTAGE talents. UPSTAGE was a big part of me in high school and college. That's why it was such a wonderful feeling watching one of its plays tonight…Acting taught me empathy, awareness of my feelings, and control over how I project them. Stage management taught me resourcefulness, creativity, and how to handle projects. Storytelling taught me how to affect how people feel and to help them realize the lessons of the story. And during that whole time, my biggest mentor was the multi-awarded Ligaya Rabago. What a wonderful surprise calling me up onstage, Ms. Gaying! Salamat to the talented Cebuano storyteller Mr. Rudy Aviles for writing Ang Papeles. It has been 23 years since I last read the script. It still moves me now. Padayon, UP Students' Theater Arts Guild for Education!"
Responding to a last-minute invitation, I am equally grateful for the presence of Mr. Bien Fernandez and his better half, Dahlia, a couple whose love for local theater is undeniably beyond compare. Their presence, as pillars, has boosted the interest of our young thespians to explore more on the wonders of plays.
It was also a great opportunity for UPSTAGE to acknowledge the contributions of Mr. Rudy Aviles to local stage plays. We are so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to stage Ang Papeles many times, both by high school and college students, as actors.
We may regard our local performing groups to be in a hiatus or less in terms of exposure but the truth remains that we have well-intentioned individuals who continue to make sense and do in whatever we have—the exceptional talents and a burning passion for local artistic promotion. Let's continue to support these undertakings which equate to supporting our very own.
To the whole production team, thank you and continue touching the lives of the people through theater. Mabuhi ug padayon mga iskolar ng bayan!
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