Premiere
October 24, 2021 | 6PM
The Metropolitan Theater
Padre Burgos Ave, Ermita 1000 Manila, Philippines
Lapulapu, Ang Datu ng Mactan, is the first theatrical production at the MET since it closed its doors in 1996.
The public presentation will be part of the Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines, the Year of Filipino Pre-Colonial Ancestors, and the National Indigenous Peoples’ Month.
NCCA Chairperson and Cultural Center of the Philippines president Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso spearheaded the project as Artistic Director.
With a libretto written by award-winning poet and lawyer Nicolas B. Pichay and set to music by Krina Cayabyab, Lapulapu, ang Datu ng Mactan is directed by UP Professor Dexter M. Santos, who is known for directing many plays such as the musical Ang Huling El Bimbo and the classic Orosman at Zafira, with choreography by Stephen Viñas and Kenneth Torres.
The play unpacks the many events commemorated this year, which includes the Victory at Mactan in 1521,as told from the point of view of the mysterious Lapulapu, symbol of Philippine resistance to all forms of oppression; the circumnavigation of the world, as told from the point of view of the trip’s chronicler Juan Sebastian Elcano; and the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines, as seen from the lens of Reyna Juana. This meta tale explores how history — and what people choose to be the lessons from it —contribute to the cultural identity and to the strength of any nation.
The cast are as follows:
Arman Ferrer plays the main protagonist Lapulapu.
Andre Tiangco essays
the role of Ferdinand Magellan;
Red Nuestro as Rajah Humabon;
Cara Barredo as Reyna Juana;
Natasha Cabrera as Babaylan;
Paw Castillo as Enrique de Malacca;
Robert Barbers as Juan Sebastian de Elcano;
Al Gatmaitan as Antonio Pigafetta;
and Ivan Niccolo Nery as Papa Alexander XI
and Padre Pedro de Valderrama.
NCCA Arts Ambassador and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, as well as public historian Xiao Chua, is also participating in the production, which was led by Aaron Veloso as acting theater director, Adriana Agcaoili as creative director, Gino Gonzales as production designer, Dennis Marasigan as lighting director, and GA Fallarme as video designer.
Lapulapu, Ang Datu ng Mactan will be streamed on the Facebook page of
The Metropolitan Theater, and will be cross-posted on the pages of the NCCA, Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM), Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO),the NHCP,the NQC, and other partner institutions’ official Facebook pages.
Maligayang pagbabalik, MET!
#METNatin
