Celebrating Araw ng Kagitingan at Dulaang UP

April 9 is one day of the year when Bataeños like me, take pride in commemorating our courageous forefathers in their gallant last stand against invading Japanese forces during the World War II. And what a great way to spend and celebrate this holiday, watching a performance of the noble members of Dulaang UP Theatre group. On it's 40th season, Dulaang UP is presenting "The Dressing Room", an excellent adaptation from an old Japanese play. Thanks to my son, Paolo, (required to watch the play by his professor), who bought 3 extra tickets for the rest of the family, we had the chance to witness such great talents of Dulaang UP Alumni artists, production and directorial staff and upcoming talents from UP College students.

We were impressed by excellent performances of Frances Ignacio and Ces Quesada, whom we both met and autographed our souvenir booklet after the play, along with their magnificent director and former Dulaang UP Artistic Director, Alexander Cortez. The stage design itself is a work of art, with a very impressive mixture of modernity and tradition, without the usual symmetric platforms and plumbed backdrop elements. The leaning typical Japanese framed partition doubled as screen for projecting text images before and after the play. The uneven and skewed platforms create extra challenge for dancers, making their performances all the more impressive. The music and sound arrangements completed the ingredients, with the needed touch of Japanese art and culture.

UP students and Alumni should be proud of their Dulaang UP Artists who have continuously shared their time, talent, dedication and hard work; the same way I am proud of my brave ancestors fighting for our freedom in Bataan.

As if our day is not yet complete after watching the play, on our way home to Bataan, we dropped by the house of my friend, Raul Pagtalunan, somewhere in Bulacan. Here, we happen to meet equally excellent stage and screen actor couples, Nonie Buencamino and Sharmaine Buencamino (who is also a DUP alumni). Wow, this is already a bonus!