MANILA -- Tanghalang Pilipino (TP), the resident theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), has gone online as the enhanced community quarantine continues.
TP is kicking off its "PansamanTANGHALAN" program by presenting Virgin Labfest 14's "Mga Eksena sa Buhay ng Kontrabida" at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, on the CCP YouTube channel.
Written by Dustin Celestino and directed by Roobak Valle, the play stars JV Ibesate, Jay Gonzaga, Earl Figuracion, Richard Manabat, and Lian Silverio.
"To say that this is a trying time for the industry would be an understatement. A lot of us are anxious on how this pandemic would usher in a new norm, but as artists, we have to soldier on and find ways to effectively reach our audience in dire need of inspiration," TP artistic director Nanding Josef said in a statement.
"So, I hope everyone will join us in our temporary home, our 'PansamanTANGHALAN,' the digital world," he added.
At 3 p.m. on Friday, April 24, TP's latest production "Batang Mujahideen" will premiere on the CCP YouTube channel. The critically acclaimed staging is written by Malou Jacob and directed by Guelan Luarca-Varela, and features the members of the TP Actors Company with guest artist Iman Ampatuan.
A reading of a new monologue by playwright Layeta Bucoy will be performed by Josef this May to mark the launch of TP's reinvigorated Facebook page. The timely "Doc Lolo" tackles the plight of elderly frontliners during the pandemic.
Engagement projects will soon be unveiled on TP's Twitter and Instagram account. On top of these, the theater company is launching its own YouTube channel, which will present highlights from past productions such as "Balag at Angud" and "Nang Dalawin ng Pag-ibig si Juan Tamad."
The channel will also serve as launching ground for future projects as online presentations as well as fresher takes on TP classics and hits.
Meanwhile, TP will partner with an industry giant to premiere the latest staging of "Mabining Mandirigma" in celebration of Apolinario Mabini's death anniversary on May 13.
Topbilled by international theater star Monique Wilson with David Ezra and Arman Ferrer, this staging is the most successful of the four runs of the musical, directed by Chris Millado.
Also in the works are online workshops by TP friends, alumni, and current members of the Actors Company.
TP is also a part of Open House, an online fundraising project for the benefit of the performing arts community.