Max Makowski is Tanghalang Pilipino President

Tanghalang Pilipino President Max Makowski

Tanghalang Pilipino, the resident drama company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines presented its new president, Max Makowski, during a recent press conference held at the La Régalade French Bistro. And since Christmas was just around the corner, the event also served as a way for the company to give thanks to the people who were instrumental in promoting their projects during their milestone 25^th Season. Among those who were present during the lunch were TP Artistic Director Fernando “Nanding” Josef, Executive Director Leslie Noble, and the Members of the Board of Trustess headed by Chairman Antonio “Tony Boy” Cojuangco. Of course, Board Member Tessa Prieto-Valdes, stood out from the rest of the crowd with her signature, unconventional and colorful ensemble.

As expected whenever the year ends, past events were recalled and Nanding Josef mused about the company’s previous productions for this silver season: Noli Me Tangere, The Musical, Tatlong Tabing, A Tony Perez Retrospective and Pinocchio, Gusto Mo Ba Maging Tao? I noticed that there had been some changes to the season lineup compared to the one that they’ve presented when they’ve launched this season some months ago. One of the scheduled musicals for this season, D’Emperor got moved and will be part of the 26^th season instead. I’m not sure what happened to Larawan though. After mulling over the past, he then introduced someone who will be a huge part of Tanghalang Pilipino’s future and he was no other than Max Makowski, TP’s new president.

Makowski kept his speech brief pointing out that he will have more to say once he has some credits under his belt. But he did say that while he is not a Filipino, he is a father of a Filipino and that he is rather a citizen of the arts. Afterwards, I’ve had a brief chat with him wherein I confirmed if he was indeed the director that was once attached to the live action adaptation of Voltron. He was rather embarrassed to admit that he was that same guy and was quite surprised that I managed to dig that up.

The event was capped by more messages from Antonio “Tony Boy" Cojuangco and Tessa Prieto-Valdes who are staunch supporters of the arts particularly theater. Cojuangco noted how theater is the starting point for many who are now acting in the other forms of media like in television and in film. And Tessa introduced the fashion designers from SLIMS who will be making the costumes for D’Emperor while  reiterating that people should not expect her to be acting on stage in the future. She jokingly said that she won a singing competition based on votes not on ability so an acting role in one of Tanghalang Pilipino’s future productions is very unlikely.

Eyeball: New Visions in Philippine Theater caps Tanghalang Pilipino’s 25^th Season

Set A
January 13, 2012 8:00 PM

January 14, 2012 3:00 & 8:00 PM

January 15, 2012 3:00 PM

Set B
January 20, 2012 8:00 PM

January 21, 2012 3:00 & 8:00 PM

January 22, 2012 3:00 PM

February 3, 2012 8:00 PM

February 4, 2012 3:00 PM

Set A
February 4, 2012 8:00 PM

February 5, 2012 3:00 PM

February 10, 2012 8:00 PM

February 11, 2012 3:00 PM

Set B
February 11, 2012 8:00 PM

February 12, 2012 3:00 PM

Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)

CCP Complex

Pasay, Metro Manila

Tanghalang Pilipino will be staging Eyeball: New Visions in Philippine Theater as they close their landmark 25^th Season. Eyeball will be comprised of four plays from the Virgin Labfest presented as two sets of twin-bills. It’s worth noting that I was only able to watch my first VLF, the yearly festival of new works for the theater, just this year. I’ve also read the Virgin Labfest Anthology which acquainted me with previously staged plays but only making me more curious regarding the festival’s previous years. So I think that Eyeball is a great opportunity for me to catch up with what I’ve missed before.

Set A will include Bakit Wala Nang Nagtatagpo sa Philcoa Oberpas, written by Carlo Pacolo Garcia and to be directed by Riki Benedicto. TP Actors Company members Jonathan Tadioan, Jelson Bay, Martha Comia, Marco Viaña and Gino Ramirez join guest artists Pam Hundana and Carmina Capile in this play. The other piece in this set is Doc Resureccion: Gagamutin ang Bayan by Layeta Bucoy and to be directed by Tuxqs Rutaqio. Riki Benedicto, Jonathan Tadioan, Rayna Reyes and Sherry Lara are the cast members for this play. Set B on the other hand is composed of Reuel Molina Aguila’s Maliw with Sherry Lara, Spanky Manikan and Regina de Vera as members of the cast. Isang Araw sa Karnabal by Nick Pichay is the other play in this set. Sheenly Gener leads the cast with Marco Viaña and Martha Comia. Both plays in Set B will be directed by Chris Millado.

TP Actors Company

The TP Actors Company presented an excerpt of Bakit Wala Nang Nagtatagpo sa Philcoa Oberpas which was a riot and it gave more idea of what to expect from Eyeball. But there are significant changes with Eyeball if compared to VLF. First of all, this will be staged at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater) instead of the usual VLF venue which is the Tanghalang Huseng Batute (CCP Studio Theater). And there’s also the set design by Eric Cruz, Katsch Catoy for the lighting design and TJ Ramos for the soundscape which means that this Eyeball has taken four VLF plays several notches higher.

Ticket price:

P600

50% student discount

20% senior citizen discount

For inquiries:

Tanghalang Pilipino 832-3661, (0920) 953-5381, (0928) 551-8645

TicketWorld 891-9999