FEU Center for the Artsstages Walang Sugat sarswela on Feb. 4

In celebration of Far Eastern University’s 98th founding anniversary, the FEU Center for the Arts (FCA) proudly presents Walang Sugat on February 4, 2026, 5:30 PM at the FEU Auditorium.

First performed in 1902, Walang Sugat is a sarswela written by Severino Reyes with music by Fulgencio Tolentino set during the Philippine revolution towards the end of the 19th century.

This special production features arrangements and additional music by Josefino Toledo, an FEU Outstanding Alumnus.

Under the direction of Alegria O. Ferrer from the University of the Philippines College of Music, the production brings to life one of the most beloved works in Philippine theater.

The musical direction will be led by Roijin Suarez, Artistic Director of the FEU Chorale.

The cast is composed of both current students and alumni from the FEU Chorale, FEU Theater Guild, and FEU Guides, highlighting the University’s diverse artistic community.

The production will also feature special performances from the FEU Bamboo Band, FEU Dance Company, FEU Theater Guild, FEU Drum and Bugle Corps, and FEU Drummers.

This landmark staging not only celebrates FEU’s 98th year of excellence in education and culture but also commemorates the anniversary of the shot that started the Filipino American War on February 4, 1898.

Walang Sugat revolves around the love story of Tenyong and Julia during the time of revolution. While Tenyong takes up arms in the fight for the nation’s freedom, Julia is confronted with pressure and opposition from her family and the church because of her love for him. Through their story, the sarswela depicts the sacrifices demanded by the struggle for independence and the deep wounds left by war and colonization.

Admission for Walang Sugat is for free. Register through the QR code or via the link below.

https://forms.office.com/r/TLQwAUQYBF

Walang Sugat

Walang Sugat cast members

Last week, horrible weather led to the cancellation of classes, suspension of work and the flooding of the whole metro and its nearby areas. The opening night of Tanghalang Pilipino’s Walang Sugat was just one of the many cultural events that got cancelled. The weather eventually improved and although pushed back a week later, the curtains rose at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater) and Walang Sugat finally had its opening night. Notable in this sarswela is Carlos Siguion-Reyna’s first foray into directing live theater and also the return of Noemi Manikan-Gomez to the stage after a long hiatus. What interested me most about this production was to see if this work penned by Severino Reyes, current and timely when it premiered 110 years ago, would still hold up in these modern times.

Walang Sugat tells the story of childhood sweethearts Julia (Cris Villonco) and Tenyong (Noel Rayos aletrnating with Antonio Ferrer), and their secret love affair amidst the final salvo of the Philippines’ revolution against Spain. This love is put to the test when Tenyong enlists to join the Philippine forces after his father’s abduction and eventual death while being a prisoner of the Spanish. While Julia waits patiently for her sweetheart’s return from battle, her mother Juana (Noemi Manikan-Gomez) is eager to have her married to Miguel (Nar Cabico), the son of the wealthy Tadeo (Red Nuestro). When news arrive that Tenyong got wounded in battle, Julia resorts to marrying Miguel albeit reluctantly. And on the day of the wedding itself, a wounded Tenyong arrives and asks to be married to Julia as his final wish. What happens next needs to be seen and I am glad that I didn’t read the detailed synopsis since the twist in the end did catch me by surprise.

There were strong performances from all the cast members during the opening night. Cris Villonco did a commendable job in making Julia distinct from Maria Clara from Noli Me Tangere which was the opening show for last season. Cris infused a lot more stubbornness and naughtiness in Julia which wasn’t present at all in Maria Clara. Noel Rayos on the other hand sounded very much like a crooner heard from old vinyl records. I got tempted to close my eyes and just listen to him sing and all the while expecting to hear crackles and pops. I pointed this out to him afterwards and he said that he did aim for that old sound evoking a bygone era. Antonio Ferrer, a classically trained vocalist, plays Tenyong in other performances and I do hope that I will be able to watch him soon to see how he portrays the role.

There were a couple of flirting scenes with corresponding song numbers that made me want to verify if Walang Sugat was indeed written back in the day when people were supposed to be more reserved. The first flirting scene was with Monica, played by the always vocally strong Jenny Villegas, and Lucas, played by the ever dependable Jonathan Tadioan. I had to raise my eyebrows when it was implied what happened after their delightful number. The next flirting scene was the unexpected duet between Juana and Tadeo. While the number was also a delight and the moment for Noemi Manikan-Gomez to show off her vocals, I had to shake my head in disbelief that future in-laws even entertained the notion of hooking up after marrying off their children. I tried my best to imagine how audiences back then reacted to this scene.

Noel Rayos

I admit that Act One was hard to get myself settled into, not just because of the language used which required a lot of effort for me to grasp and understand, but also because the cast looked like they haven’t settled into the performance as well. It felt rough with too many noticeable kinks particularly with the microphones that distracted me a lot throughout the performance. But Act Two ran more smoothly and things got a lot tighter and stronger as the show went on. I also noticed that the music track sounded shallow, muffled at times and lacking in clarity and crispness. This was very evident even during the overture when I focused on the music more, trying to catch themes and leitmotifs that might be heard later. Many times when the chorus was singing exceptionally I found myself thinking if only the backing track was up to par. I found out after the show that the production still used analog tapes from the earlier production of Walang Sugat back in the 90’s. It’s sad to know that a digitally remastered backing track for this doesn’t exist at all which could have brought out the beauty of the music more. Looking at the program, I noticed a trio of composers who contributed songs to this sarswela namely Mike Velarde Jr., Fulgencio Tolentino and Constancio de Guzman. Their contribution came years after the show premiered which I think is an interesting topic in itself: the history of the piece and the revisions made in the material.

Tanghalang Pilipino's Walang Sugat is not much of a visual spectacle if one expects grandiose sets and a production laden with numerous special effects. The minimalist set required the audience to rely heavily on their imagination. Walang Sugat’s main draw is still the material penned by Severino Reyes. It’s remarkable that a piece of work for the theater written more than a century ago still resonated with such relevance in these modern times. The courtship may seem dated, but the struggle to gain freedom and to achieve desires still ring true. And Bayan Ko, a recurring song that was used to end each act, never failed to send shivers down my spine even if I've heard it over and over again.

Walang Sugat has now become a very limited two weekend run due to the unavoidable circumstances that led to the cancellation of its first week. Catch it on its last week this August 24-26, 2012 at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater). I was told that Tanghalang Pilipino has added morning performances to accommodate more people. Call TicketWorld at 891-9999 or text 0917-7500107 for more info.

Tanghalang Pilipino tackles Truth and Consequence for their 26th Season

Antonio Ferrer, Cris Villonco and Noel Rayos

BREAKING NEWS: Due to the unfortunate natural phenomenon that we are experiencing now, we wish to let our valued ticketholders of WALANG SUGAT, subscribers, patrons and guests know that we are cancelling our 3pm show and the 8pm Gala Performance tomorrow, August 9, 2012, and the rest of the performances this weekend, August 10-12. We will, instead, open next week, August 16, Thursday.

Your tickets for the August 9-12 performances will be valid either on new special dates to replace the original schedules, or your preferred other performances subject to availability of seats.

Please contact 0917-750-0107, 0915-607-2275, or 0935-378-4781 or Tanghalang Pilipino office 8321125, local 1620 or 1621.

We also wish to let you know that we are coordinating with the officials of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) for an agreement that will allow TP to accept donations in cash or kind for the flood victims before and after the performances. We also plan to do a special fund-raising performance of WALANG SUGAT for the same cause. As Filipino artists, we, in Tanghalang Pilipino, commit, not only to the promotion of our craft, but also to community service and assistance.

Maraming salamat po.

Nanding Josef,

Artistic Director, Tanghalang Pilipino

Carlos Siguion-Reyna

Director, WALANG SUGAT

After celebrating their silver anniversary season last year, Tanghalang Pilipino returns and centers on Truth and Consequence for the company’s 26^th Season. The resident drama company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, TP presents four productions Walang Sugat, Walang Kukurap, Stageshow, and Ibalong that tackle human behavior and relationships that lead towards social transformation.

A press conference presenting the 26^th season lineup was recently held at the National Commission on Culture and the Arts. This event was attended by Tanghalang Pilipino’s Artistic Director Nanding Josef, director Carlos Siguion-Reyna, some of the cast members of Walang Sugat, and also some members of the TP Actors Company.

During the press conference, Nanding Josef stressed once again how local theater companies are in need of not just only the support of the government, but also the support of private corporations, the media and the general public as well. It’s sad to see that local talent and productions, exceptional and awesome as they are, tend to get overlooked in favor of foreign artists and shows. And in a surprising turn, people who once scoffed at local productions usually have a change of heart once they get to experience how brilliant local productions are.

Antonio Ferrer

Here is Tanghalang Pilipino's 26th Theater Season 2012-2013 lineup:

Walang Sugat

August 9-26, 2012

Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)

Walang Kukurap

September 14-30, 2012

Tanghalang Huseng Batute (CCP Studio Theater)

Stageshow

October 10-21, 2012

Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)

Ibalong

February 8-March 3, 2013

Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)

Walang Sugat opens TP’s 26^th Season

August 9, 2012, 8:00 PM Cancelled

August 10, 2012, 3:00 & 8:00 PM Cancelled

August 11, 2012, 3:00 & 8:00 PM Cancelled

August 12, 2012, 3:00 PM Cancelled

August 16, 2012, 8:00 PM
August 17, 2012, 8:00 PM

August 18, 2012, 3:00 & 8:00 PM

August 19, 2012, 3:00 PM

August 24, 2012, 8:00 PM

August 25, 2012, 3:00 & 8:00 PM

August 26, 2012, 3:00 PM

Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)

CCP Complex

Pasay, Metro Manila

Walang Sugat is Tanghalang Pilipino’s opening salvo for their 26^th Season starting this August 9 up to August 26, 2012 at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater). Written by Severino Reyes, this sarswela focuses on the love story between Julia and Tenyong amidst the revolutionary period when the control of the Philippines is transferred from the Spaniards to the Americans.

This production is the first foray of acclaimed film director Carlos Siguion-Reyna to the realm of the stage. He will be joined by theater veterans like his niece Cris Villonco playing the role of Julia. Antonio Ferrer and Noel Rayos alternates as Tenyong, Julia’s love interest. Other cast members are Bodjie Pascua and Lou Veloso alternating the role of Tadeo, Red Nuestro and Jonathan Tadioan alternating as Lukas. Jenny Villegas and Jean Judith Javier alternate as Monica. Rounding up the main cast are Gino Ramirez as Miguel, Jelson Bay as Padre Teban, and Joseph Perez as Pedring along with the ensemble consisting of the TP Actors Company. Significant in this production is the return of Noemi Manikan-Gomez after many years away from the theater stage.

Cris Villonco

Cris Villonco, whom I’ve seen numerous times during the past year (and I am not complaining), will be playing Julia an ingénue role pushed to the limits as the character gets more mischievous compared to her previous roles. Noel Rayos and Antonio Ferrer are new faces  to me so it was a treat to see a sample performance from them during the press conference. Jenny Villegas and Red Nuestro also did a humorous duet that proved how splendid they are vocally.

When asked how he plans to interpret the material, director Carlos Siguion-Reyna told the media that he aims to show the freedom that our forefathers had and also the cost that they had to pay in order to gain that freedom. He further stressed that he wishes to explore divisions not just in the social and economic classes but also in the interests (especially the self serving ones) in people’s lives. He also plans to showcase the manipulations that people do to each other and the deceptions that people have to go through in order to gain power.

Hearing him say all of this made me so intrigued since I never imagined a sarswela to touch upon all of these. I am usually drawn towards the music in theatrical productions but with this kind of insight coming from the director himself, it made me anticipate Walang Sugat more. I admit that I am not really aware of what a sarswela is, but I am glad that Tanghalang Pilipino’s 26^th season premiere offering will give me the opportunity to learn more about Filipino art forms aside from just having me entertained.

Cris Villonco and Noel Rayos

Walang Sugat features libretto is by Severino Reyes, with additional line by Nick Tiongson. The music is by Fulgencio Tolentino, Constancio de Guzman, Mike Velarde, with additional music by the show’s music director Chino Toledo. Nonoy Froilan choreographs while Tuxqs Rutaquio designs the set. James Reyes of Slims Fashion and Arts School designs the lead’s costumes and Katsch Catoy handles the light design.

Ticket prices:

P1000*

P800

*August 9, 2012 Opening Night

-50% student discount

-20% senior citizen discount

For inquiries:

Cherry Bong Edralin 832-1125 local 1620/21, fax 832-3661

(0917) 750-0107, (0918) 959-3949, 218-3791

tanghalangpilipinomarketing@yahoo.com.ph

TicketWorld 891-9999