Ang Unang Aswang Playbill

What is THEA 151?

T H EA 1 5 1 ( A c t i n g ) i s a maj o r c ou r s e i n t h e B A C om mu n ic at i on A r t s p r o g r a m o f t h e Un ive r s i t y o f t h e P h i l i p p i ne s L o s B a ñ o s , wh ich c ove r s t h e fu nd a me nt al me ch a n ic s o f m i me a nd a c t i n g , s t u d ie s i n b o d y move me nt a nd vo ic e p r o du c t i on fo r ch ar a c t e r i z at i on , a s wel l a s e xe r c i s e s i n i ma g i n a t i on r el a x at i on , c onc e nt r at i on , a nd i mp r ov i s at i on .

For the first time whilst under this pandemic, the THEA 151 Acting course was offered with only 9 enrolled students this semester. Despite the limit ations, the class was able to cover key acting techniques on presentational and representational acting, with assign ments that required creating b ody images on Theater of Cruelty, biomechanical emb odiment pieces portraying moods and emotions, and psychological realism scene analyses and performances, all through synchronous classes via zoom.

Despite these limitations and challenges, this year’s on line production, UPLB’s first online theater class production, aims to keep theatre alive, even with the constraints brought ab out by the COVID-19 pandemic. As theatre students, we want to direct all our efforts in utilizing a digital platform to provoke thought and reflection amongst our targeted audience, even from our own homes.

nanaksil,Sa atliblib na gubat, mamumunga ang pag-ibig, papaghihiganti. Ang dugong mula sa pagsilang at pagkasawi’y maaaninag sa lagim ng gabi.

Ihinahandog ng THEA 151XY Acting Class, sa direksyon ni Prof. Elmer Rufo, mula sa Department of Humanities, College of Arts and Sciences, sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Los Baños “Ang Unang Aswang”, na sulat ni Rody Vera. Ito ay kuwentong tungkol sa isang babaeng sanggol na natagpuan ng Aso’t Pusa sa gubat. Doon sa liblib ng gubat sya lumaki sa pag-aruga ng isang Baboyramo. Sa pagdalaga ng babae, sinipingan sya ng isang Lalaki na magbabago sakanyang buhay, at sa pagbabago na ito, napakilala din ang pagmamahal, pananakit, at paghihiganti.

mester,Congratulations to the THEA 151 XY Acting Class, 2nd SeAY 2020-2021 of Prof. Elmer Rufo for staging UPLB’s first

ever online theater class production via Rody Vera’s “Ang Unang Aswang.” The nine students under this class have transcended the limitations of the pandemic and remote learning, and have found the new media as an avenue to showcase the timeless art of theater.

By doing this virtual production, UPLB’s THEA 151 XY class is giving a new life to Vera’s award-winning play, which had been staged and adapted previously in theater, film, and dance.

I am confident that this virtual production will continue to present the core elements and lessons of the original story, and that it will capture new audiences who will appreciate it.

May this lead to more explorations of the digital media in bringing arts to more audiences beyond the university. I wish for the success of this online theater production.

timely, The class’ choice of ‘Unang Aswang’ is at once perturbing and coming at a time when the world is battling evil in myriad forms and a sense of foreboding hangs in the air. It also happens to be trendy, thanks to the current fascination for otherworldly creatures in films and other media.

In any case, Rody Vera’s play is most intriguing and should draw in the crowd curious to witness yet another take on mythical creatures and their close encounters with humans. But beyond its macabre spectacle, the play should also generate interest and leave a mark for its underlying critique of power relations and the Faustian tendency in humans.

How the THEA 151 class renders these perennial themes and conflicts should be the main attraction of this production, specifically the style and approach adopted by their mentor and director Prof.

Elmer Rufo. All these should generate greater interest as the class stages the play with the unique challenges attendant to a virtual performance.

Advanced congratulations to this semester’s Acting class and to Prof. Elmer Rufo for daring to stage a challenging play such as ‘Unang Aswang.’ I am confident that this material in the hands of THEA 151 class will land a powerful and timely message about power relations and human nature and the audience will come away with a more nuanced understanding of this present darkness that hovers over our land. Congratulations to Prof. Elmer Rufo and THEA 151 class!

tatanghalFirstngtime ‘to – ang gawing pre-recorded streaming ang pagisang dula. Ibig sabihin, di lantad ang magiging reaksyon ng mga audience (‘yon ay kung may audience). Ay, meron pala kaming captive audience - ako bilang direktor, mga artista, at ilang import mula sa Theater Communication class. Sa ganitong sistema ng pagtatanghal, ang mga kasali sa produksyon ay nagiging manonood.

Bakit pre-recorded streaming? Sagot ito sa problema na dulot ng mahinang internet connectivity. Pag live kasi, hindi maiiwasang maputol ang pagtatanghal kapag nadisconnect o nag-lag ang internet connection ng artista o ng miyembro ng technical team. Pag pre-recorded, tuloy-tuloy ang pagtatanghal. Noong una, gusto ko live ang pagtatanghal. Pero nang maging malinaw sa akin ang epekto ng mahinang internet connectivity sa live online performance, napagtanto ko na tama lang ang pre-recorded streaming.

Iba ang pinagdaanan namin upang maipalabas ang dula. Nagrehearse kami sa pamamagitan ng ZOOM. Kasi nga bawal ang face to face.

Dapat may social distancing. Kaya kami ay kung ilang milya ang layo sa isat-isa. Pero magkakasama kami.

Magkakasama kami sa loob ng screen ng aming laptop o celfone habang ang bawat isa ay nakakulong sa isang frame. Sa loob ng screen, sa loob ng maliit na frame nangyari ang pag-arte kung saan tanging ang kalahating katawan lamang ng mga artista (maliban sa ilang eksena kung saan ang buong katawan ng pangunahing tauhan) ang makikita. Sadyang oppressive ang screen/frame dahil kinukulong nito ang pagiging tao. Sa puntong ito nagiging napapanahon ang pagpili ng dulang Ang Unang Aswang na may pahiwatig na dahil sa oppression ng isang lalaki isinilang ang babaeng halimaw. Salamat ng marami kay Rody Vera sa kanyang pagpayag na gamitin namin ang kanyang dula.

Sana hindi lang ako. Sana hindi lang mga artista. Sana hindi lang ang ilang import mula sa Theater Communication class ang maging manonood. Sana pati kayo na may pagmamahal sa teatro, kayo na hindi nawawalan ng pag-asa, kayo na patuloy na lumalaban. Pag kapiling namin kayo, masarap balik-balikan ang “first time”.

Courtesy of Bianca May Palco Rufo

“Di ka na nagbabalik... ni nag-iwan ng halik.”

“ A s A s wa n g ch al le n g e s p at r i ar ch al n ar r at ive s a nd a mpl i fie s t h e d i s c ou r s e on t h e pl i g h t s o f wome n who ar e o ft e n b e i n g c on su me d a nd t oy e d l i ke me r e ob j e c t s , s h e t au g h t me t h at t h e r e i s no ot h e r s olu t i on t o t h e s e p r oble m s t h at h ave lon g b e e n e x i s t i n g b u t t o c omple t ely r e j e c t i t b y s how i n g no r e mo r s e fo r p e ople who do not d e s e r ve su ch . H e r ch ar a c t e r e xpl ai n s t o me not on ly t h e t r aj e c t o r y o f a n i n no c e nt i nd iv i du al i nt o e ve nt u al ly h av i n g t r a g e d y fal l up on h e r a ft e r b e i n g c on fr ont e d w i t h e nd le s s h ar d s h i p s b r ou g h t up on b y male a c t i on s , b u t t h e r ele va nc e o f h e r ch ar a c t e r u nt i l t o d ay i n sp i r e s me t o ne ve r s t op r e s i s t i n g a nd d i s m i s s i n g a ny fo r m o f s o c ie t al i mb al a nc e , not b e c au s e I t h i n k i t ’ s my pu r p o s e — b u t i t i s e ve r yone ’ s r e sp on s ib i l i t y . ”

“Arooooooooooooooohhh”

“ L ub o s kon g n ap a g t a nt o n a a n g b u g s o n g d a md a m i n ay h i nd i l a ma n g p e r s on al n a g al i t up a n g ma g l ab a s n g s a ma n g lo ob at ma k a m t a m a n g k ap ayap a a n n g k alo ob a n . M a ar i n g i t o ay p e r s on al n g u n i t k u n g i p i nupu kol s a t i n g i n t u n g kol s a p a n g yayar i l i pu n a n , i t o ay ma s p ol i t i k al . S a p a g t i n g i n n at i n s a i s a n g l i pu n a n g may i n a c c e s s ib i l i t y s a b a s ic s o c i al s e r v ic e s , t i n at a n aw n at i n a n g mal i at s i nu sub u k a n g ib ul al a s s a l ah at n g d ap at ma k a al a m ; i t o ay i s a n g n at u r al n a k at a n g i a n g i p i n a mal a s n i A s o s a dul a n i Ve r a . A n g p a g i g i n g wat ch do g n at i n s a l i pu n a n ay i s a n g l i k a s n a u g al i n a d ap at t a g l ay i n n g k ah i t s i no . I s a n g p a g t a n aw n a k r i t i k al b i l a n g p ar t e n g p aul i t - ul i t n a t u n g g al i a n n g m g a u r i s a l i pu n a n . S al a mat s a dul a , s i r R o d y Ve r a . “

“Ang ibabalik ko ang siyang magbibigay kaganapan sa kulang-kulang ninyong kahulugan ng buhay.”

“ O ne b i g g e s t t h i n g t h at I h ave le ar ne d ove r t h e c ou r s e o f i nt e r n al i z i n g t h i s ch ar a c t e r i s t h at we s houl d c ont i nue a nd ne ve r fo r g e t r e s i s t a nc e . A s a ch ar a c t e r t h at vo ic e s ou t al l h i s a n g e r fo r h e k nows how c r uel t h e wo rl d i s , i t i s ve r y i mp o r t a nt t h at we k now wh e r e we s houl d r e d i r e c t ou r r a g e .

W h i le I wa s s t u d y i n g t h e r ole , al l t h at I c oul d t h i n k o f wa s t h e s i t u at i on we ’ r e i n , how we s houl d b e mad fo r al l o f t h e i n j u s t ic e s we e xp e r ie nc e d ay b y d ay , a nd how t h i s a n g e r mu s t b e lou d i n o r d e r fo r e ve r yone t o h e ar . I t wa s ve r y h ar d , h av i n g t o a c t on l i ne . T h e at e r i s c ol le c t ive , a nd t h i s s e t up r e q u i r e s you t o p e r fo r m al l b y you r s el f , b u t t h i n k i n g o f t h e s e t up i t s el f , i t h elp e d i n i nt e r n al i z i n g t h at we do not d e s e r ve a ny o f t h e s e , a nd we d e s e r ve mu ch mo r e t h a n wh at we ’ r e h av i n g at t h e mome nt . H av i n g t h at t hou g h t i n m i nd h elp e d me t o fe el t h e mad ne s s my ch ar a c t e r i s fe el i n g . “

“Nakangiti ako, nanghahamon: Sige, subukan mo!”

“ W h i le i t wa s a n a c t I lo oke d fo r war d t o , e mb o d y i n g t h e ch ar a c t e r o f P u s a c a me w i t h i t s fai r s h ar e o f ch al le n g e s . Ne ve r t h ele s s , t h e op p o r t u n i t y wa s s ome t h i n g I g r e at ly e n j oy e d a s I g ar ne r e d le s s on s t h r ou g hou t t h e e xp e r ie nc e . T h e mo s t i mp o r t a nt one b e i n g t h at ch al le n g e s houl d not b e a h i nd r a nc e t o one ’ s su c c e s s . I n my e y e s , P u s a i s a ch ar a c t e r t h at g r ou nd s h e r s el f i n h e r c ap ab i l i t ie s , a nd ma x i m i z e s t h e m i n o r d e r t o su c c e e d i n h e r mot ivat i on s . I t wa s i r on ic , r e al ly — d e p ic t i n g a ch ar a c t e r s o su r e o f h e r s el f , wh i le l a c k i n g s e c u r i t y i n my ow n c ap ab i l i t ie s . Bu t t h r ou g h h e r , I le ar ne d t h at h ar d s h i p i s not s ome t h i n g t o fe ar , b u t s ome t h i n g t o r el i s h i n fo r i t i s t h r ou g h ou r s t r u g g le s t h at we g r ow . M y favo r i t e l i ne i s t h e ve r y r e f le c t i on o f t h i s le s s on a s i t s hows P u s a ’ s r e fu s al t o b ow dow n t o t ho s e who d ar e t o g o a g ai n s t h e r , fa c i n g t h e ch al le n g e w i t h h e r ch i n up , al l wh i le hol d i n g a s m i le . ”

“Mga mata ko lang ang iyong nakikita sa dilim.

Pero ikaw, kitang-kita ko ang buong pagkatao.”

“ M y ch ar a c t e r a s P u s a i s not far fr om my p e r s on al i t y ; s we e t a nd s hy y e t mys t e r i ou s a nd s ar c a s t ic .

A l t hou g h t h at ’ s t h e c a s e , i t wa s a c t u al ly mo r e d i f fic ul t fo r me t o pl ay t h e ch ar a c t e r . I t wa s a c t u al ly a ch al le n g e fo r me t o d e t a ch my ow n s el f fr om t h e ch ar a c t e r a nd ma ke i t s e e m not t o b e me .

Ne ve r t h ele s s , I h ave le ar ne d fr om my ch ar a c t e r t o b e d au nt le s s y e t h ave a c omp a s s i on at e h e ar t a s mu ch a s p o s s ible . “

“Mas mabangis pa sila sa atin.

Ang mga ngiti at yakap nila ay mga punyal na mas malalim ang tarak.

Huwag kang pabubulag. Masakit ang magsisi.”

“ O ne t h i n g I le ar ne d fr om B ab oy r a mo i s t h e d e p t h o f a mot h e r ’ s c ar e . T hou g h mot h e r s c a n s ome t i me s b e ve r y s t r ic t , d e ma nd i n g , a nd u n r e a s on able , t h e y may b e t h at way ou t o f i nt e n s e love a nd d e s i r e fo r t h e i r ch i l d t o not b e d r aw n t owar d s e v i l . E l d e r s , i n fa c t , do h ave s ome e xp e r ie nc e a nd w i s dom t h at t h e you n g e r g e ne r at i on don ’ t h ave a nd i t do e s s ome t i me s p ay t o l i s t e n t o t h e m t o o .

H owe ve r , t h i s al s o s e r ve s a s a ch al le n g e t o u s you t h , t o d e velop a c r i t ic al t h i n k i n g m i nd s e t b e c au s e wh i le t h e el d e r s ar e mo r e e xp e r ie nc e d i n s ome a sp e c t s , t h e y ar e al s o s t i l l hu ma n a nd t h e r e fo r e su s c e p t ible t o m i s i n fo r mat i on . A s fo r A s awa , i n pl ay i n g h e r I le ar ne d t h at i t i s i mp o r t a nt t o b e c ar e ful w i t h who you t r u s t , no mat t e r how wel l you t h i n k you k now t h e m . T h e i r a c t i on s c a n b e t h e ve r y c au s e o f you r p ai n a nd su f fe r i n g . ”

“Huwad ang kanilang mga ngiti, ang kanilang mga pangako, ang kanilang mga yakap.

Ingatan mo’ng sarili.”

“ Po r t r ay i n g t wo o f var i ou s ve r s i on s o f mot h e rho o d , I r e al i z e d a lot o f t h i n g s ab ou t t h e p ai n o f lo s i n g a ch i l d . Fo r A s awa , I le ar ne d t h at lo s i n g a ne wb o r n ch i l d fe el s l i ke d e at h i t s el f . B ab oy r a mo h ad A s wa n g t o g ive al l h e r mot h e rly love . I le ar ne d fr om h e r t h at t r ue mot h e rho o d i s pu r e love t owar d s a ch i l d . T h e r e s houl d b e no r o om fo r v i ole nc e a nd i mp at ie nc e . I n s t e ad , g u i d a nc e a nd c om mu n ic at i on s houl d e x i s t b e t we e n t h e mot h e r a nd ch i l d . B ab oy r a mo r e p r e s e nt s al l wome n who ar e d e s t i ne d t o b e mot h e r s , b e i n g fi l le d w i t h c omp a s s i on a nd nu r t u r e , a nd a mot h e rly love w i l l always c onq ue r t h e fe el i n g o f a n g u i s h a nd h at r e d . ”

“Sisid ako, sisid siya, sisisran kami Sisiran kami hanggang hatinggabi...”

“ P l ay i n g a s L al a k i i n t h i s p r o du c t i on i s i nd e e d b e yond my c om fo r t z one . I h ad t o do r e s e ar ch a nd wat ch c lo s e a nd r el at e d p e r fo r ma nc e s t o t h e ch ar a c t e r , s i t u at e mys el f i n t h e s ho e s o f a p e r ve r t e d p e r s on , a nd fe el t h e p ai n o f a p e r s on who w i t ne s s e s t h e d e at h o f h i s love d one . At fi r s t , I t o ok a nd lo oke d at a c t i n g i n ve r y t e ch n ic al ways . I o ft e n a s ke d wh at I s houl d do , wh at I s houl d lo ok l i ke , how I d el ive r t h e l i ne s , a nd d i d not fo c u s on how a nd wh at I s houl d fe el . Re al i z i n g t h at wa s a hu g e b r e a k t h r ou g h a nd mad e a s i g n i fic a nt i mp r ove me nt on my a c t i n g . I h ad t o fe el L al a k i ’ s a n g e r , h i s fe ar s , h i s d e s i r e s , h i s p a s t , h i s t hou g h t s a nd h i s fe el i n g s . B e s i d e t h i s , I wa s able t o c ont e mpl at e on how p e ople c oul d t u r n e a ch ot h e r i nt o mon s t e r s . A s wa n g wa s b o r n hu ma n a nd wa s j u s t t u r ne d i nt o a b e a s t b e c au s e o f wh at L al a k i d i d t o h e r . I r e al ly love how t h e pl ay r e f le c t s t h e h i d d e n c ap ab i l i t ie s o f hu ma n n at u r e a nd i t r e al ly s howe d who t h e r e al a n i mal s i n t h i s wo rl d ar e . ”

“Malaya!

Ang napapanaginipan ay nagiging katotohanan!”

“ L al a k i wa s a n e xt r e mely ch al le n g i n g ch ar a c t e r t o b e pul le d o f f e sp e c i al ly i n e f fe c t ively d i spl ay -

i n g a nd b u i l d i n g a c l i ma x i n h i s s c e ne s . L al a k i h a s i nt r o du c e d me t o a p e r s on a who s e ch ar a c t e r i s way op p o s i t e t o m i ne , p e r s on al ly . H e mad e me do t h i n g s , a c t g e s t u r e s , a nd b u i l d a n au r a t h at i s sup e rbly ma s c ul i ne , t o a n e xt e nt alph a - l i ke ma cho , i n n at u r e . L al a k i t au g h t me t h at i t t a ke s t i me , p at ie nc e , p e r s i s t e nc e , a nd a g r e at d e al o f w i l l i n g ne s s t o k now a nd love a ch ar a c t e r t ot al ly p ol ar t o mys el f . ”

PRODUCTI

ION STAFF

Illustrated by Angeli Marcon

Elmer Rufo Director Elmer DS. Rufo is an Assistant Professor 7 at the Department of Humanities. In 2017, he was awarded the UPLB Outstanding Artist “for his commitment to promoting theatre arts as director, performer, and mentor, showcasing his passion for constant experimentations that spur scholarly discourse; dedication to strengthening the BA Communication Arts curriculum; and willingness to share his time and talents in the service of the University.” His two most recent works as a director and a lighting designer include Die Inday! (2019), a Filipino adaptation of Jean Genet’s The Maids, and “Ang Paglaladlad” (2020) by Vladimeir B. Gonzales.

Patricia Gregorio Head Stage Manager Pat is currently a junior BA Communication Arts student majoring in Theater Arts, in UPLB. Her theater experience includes performance (“Drive Thru”, “All the World’s A Stage”- ATLANTIS Workshop”, “Casa Sampaguita”), stage and production management (“Ang Unang Baboy Sa Langit”, “TAWAG: A Series of Online Radio Plays”), and music (“Ang Hukuman ng Mga Buang”, “Casa Sampaguita” for VLF2020 Playwright’s Fair, “Ang Pitong Patibong”). Pat is also a Soprano 1 trainee of the UPLB Choral Ensemble, a GABAY Volunteer under UPLB’s Office of Counseling and Guidance, a resident member of the UP Broadway Company, and she works as an Assistant Teacher for Plugged in Plays under Direk Steven Conde.

Kristhina Marie Catapia Assistant Stage Manager Kim is currently a sophomore BA Communication Arts student, majoring in Writing in UP Los Baños. She is new to the theatre field and “Ang Unang Aswang” is the first theatrical production that she took part in. Kim enjoys challenging herself and doing things outside her comfort zone. That is why being part of the production team for “Ang Unang Aswang” is a feat for her. Kim is also interested in writing and public speaking, something that she is able to harness in the organizations that she belongs to: The Rhetoricians and Bangon Organization.

Ian Mhar Gabriel Aguila Assistant Stage Manager IMG is currently a third-year BS Mathematics and Science Teaching student majoring in Biology in UP Los Baños. Before shifting to his current degree program, he was then a BA Communication Arts student. He was a member of his senior high school theater organization called Teatro de Juan. IMG really loves volunteering that’s why he joined UPLB GABAY Volunteer Corps and UPLB Ugnayan ng Pahinungod. Being part of the “Ang Unang Aswang” production team is a dream come true to him since acting is one of his ultimate passions.

Jairus Francisco Costume and Makeup Head Jai is a third-year BA Communication Arts student, majoring in Theatre Arts, in UP Los Baños. His theatre experience includes performance (“Ang Kumbensyon ng Mga Halimaw”, “Casa Sampaguita”) and marketing/sponsorship (“Die, Inday”, “Ang Unang Baboy sa Langit”, “Casa Sampaguita”). He is also a freelance TV/ Multimedia talent and a resident member of the UPLB Street Jazz Dance Company. Currently, he works as a social media content creator; he creates social media posts for various beauty and makeup brands.

Roma Villareal Marketing and Sponsorship Head Roma Villareal is the current President of the UPLB Com Arts Society. As a Theatre Major, Roma had been spearheading productions as a Stage Manager since 2019 and was also an actor herself in several theatrical performances. Her theatre experience includes acting and stage management in “Ang Hukuman ng mga Buang”, “Taguan: Ikaw na ang taya”, and “Casa Sampaguita”, which are all UPLB Productions. Today, Roma continues to promote performing arts and its intrinsic importance to the society, specifically its role in amplifying voices and exercising freedom of expression.

Ruben Belmonte, Jr. Marketing and Sponsorship Co-Head Ruben is currently a sophomore student taking up BA Communication Arts, majoring in Theater Arts, in UP Los Banos. He is new to the field of theatre and the “Ang Unang Aswang” theatrical production is his first theater experience. However, he has already done several role playing and film projects, both as an actor and a production staff before college. He enjoys writing, especially that he is part of the university’s official student publication, UPLB Perspective, and the producer of its broadcast arm, Perspective Live. He is also part of UPLB Ugnayan ng Pahinungod and Greenpeace Philippines as a volunteer. Ruben is willing to delve more into the world of theatre and treats the “Ang Unang Aswang” as his breakthrough and the beginning of his journey.

Wine Rivas Marketing and Sponsorship Member Wine is currently a junior taking up BA Communication Arts in UP Los Banos. She’s volunteered for the marketing committee of the play “Ang Hukuman ng mga Buang” and was set to be the head stage manager of “Himakas” for their THEA102 class and was supposed to be part of the costume and make-up committee for “Taguan” by The UPLB Com Arts Society, however, both plays didn’t come into fruition due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even though she majors in Writing, she wishes to pursue her interest in theatre through volunteering for plays such as “Ang Unang Aswang”. To hone her skills and craft, Wine has joined The UPLB Com Arts Society and UPLB Writers’ Club.

Mark Christian Mendoza Marketing and Sponsorship Member Chan is currently a senior student taking BS Forestry in UP Los Banos. Even though he’s a BS Forestry Student he pursue his interest in theater. His theater experience includes (Isko’t Iska 2016: Daluyong ng Pagbabago), Set and Props Committee head (Isko’t Iska 2017: Landas ng Pagbalikwas), Set and Props (Ang Tahanan ni Bernarda Alba 2017), Set and Props Committee Head (Ang nawawala 2018), Logistics Committee Head (Isko’t Iska 2018: Pagtuklas At Pag-aklas), Logistics Committee Head (Isko’t Iska 2019: Perya ng Silanganan). He’s also a member of Umalohokan Inc. where he channels his passion for theater arts.

Tansi Gabriel Marketing and Sponsorship Member Tansi is currently a sophomore student from UP Los Banos, taking up BA Communication Arts, majoring in Writing. She has long been interested in the art of visual storytelling as she used to write for small-scale school plays, but is still relatively new to the field of theatre with “Ang Unang Aswang” as her first theatrical production to actually take part in. Aside from her creative endeavors, Tansi also loves to volunteer for social work and advocate for Anti Violence Against Women and Children as she was once a part of Zonta Club during her highschool days. Now, she continues her advocacy through her organization, Bangon.

El-j Lacanilao Marketing and Sponsorship Member El-j is an alumnus of the BA Communication Arts program in UP Los Banos. After a week of being a writing major, she quickly changed it to Theatre Arts after joining her first-ever production in elbi entitled “Lagindab!” as a Set and Props Committee Member. She was then assigned as the Assistant Production Manager the following semester for “Ang Pitong Pagaspas ng Adarna” which was written by Prof. Vlad Gonzales. Lastly, she, together with Deneese Montalbo produced an online theatre production last January 2021, and was the Head of Stage Management of “Ang Pitong Patibong”, written by Prof. Vlad Gonzales, and was part of her undergraduate thesis.

Jonix Amoroso Marketing and Sponsorship Member Jonix Amoroso is a junior under the BA Communication Arts program of UP Los Baños, taking writing as his major. His first theatre volunteer stint was in the 2019 production, “Ang Hukuman ng mga Buang.” Despite not being fully immersed in the theatre field, his volunteerism is an act of appreciation towards the art and what it represents.

Jonix is a resident member of the UPLB Com Arts Society and a resident Fellow of The Upsilon Sigma Phi.

Darlene Villabriga Publicity Head Darlene, or “Debbie”, is a BA Communication Arts student majoring in Theater Arts. Her theater experience includes performance (“GEHENNA 2017”, “Isko’t Iska 2018: Pagtuklas at Pag-aklas”), stage management (“Isko’t Iska 2019: Perya ng Silanganan”, “Taguan: Ikaw na ang Taya”), lights and sounds (“Bobodadabilbil: Isang Bodabil”), artistic direction (“Nawawala 2020”), and technical direction and production management (“Isko’t Iska 2020: Mga Oda ng Pilipino sa Pakikibaka”).

Zairon Hijara Publicity Co-Head Zairon is currently in his junior year taking up BA Communication Arts majoring in Theater Arts. Zai started to get into theater as an actor back when he was in high school, including acts from Sapot, and Ang Unang Aswang. His theater experience in college includes publicity in “Casa Sampaguita”, stage management in “Ang Unang Baboy sa Langit”, and volunteering for house management in “Ang Hukuman ng mga Buang”. Currently, Zai is an active resident member of The UPLB Com Arts Society and an honorary member in Wyre Underground of UPLB. “Ang Unang Aswang” is Zairon’s first acting break in college and is looking forward to growing and developing with his fellow theater colleagues.

Arjay Hije Publicity Member Arjay is a BA Communication Arts sophomore in UP Los Baños.

He is also a Graphic Designer in Chronos Athletics and The 19 Studio. His passion for the arts brought him to volunteer to his first theatrical production as part of the publicity committee in “Ang Unang Aswang.” Although he loves acting spontaneously— imitating scenes from his favorite movies—he prefers to be the one behind the curtains, creating life from a pen and a piece of paper, hence, majoring in Writing.

He is also a resident member, as part of the publicity committee, in The UPLB Com Arts Society and UNESCO Club-UPLB where he hones his skills and advocacies.

Rigel Villa Publicity Member Rigel is a BA Communication Arts student majoring in Speech Communication. Despite having no prior experience in any theatrical productions, she decided to try out and volunteer for “Ang Unang Aswang” as part of the publicity committee. After her first try, she hopes to be a part of other productions if given an opportunity in the future.

During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rigel discovered her knack for the arts and has since been doing digital portraits and photo editing, aside from the occasional writing commissions for private individuals.

Chay Ardiente Technical Committee Head Chay Ardiente is currently a third-year BA Communication Arts student, majoring in Theatre Arts in UP Los Baños. Her interest in the craft dates back to her high school days where she took part in both producing and performing in plays such as “Opus,” “Tarjetas Dela Fortuna,” “Sitan,” and “The Greatest Kasawian Sale.” Her college theatre experience includes performance (“Ang Hukuman ng mga Buang,” “Casa Sampaguita”), stage management (“Taguan: Ikaw na ang taya”), and music direction and production (“Ang Hukuman ng mga Buang,” “Casa Sampaguita” for VLF2020 Playwright’s Fair).

JC Villareal Technical Committee Member Jc is a BA Communication Arts student majoring in Theater Arts.

He has never been to acting before and his first online theater play production is the “Ang Unang Aswang ni Rody Vera” along with the THEA 151 Acting students. He is a member of the Production’s Technical Team and worked on editing the clips for Set B actors.

Currently, Jc is a member of UPLB Street Jazz Dance Company’s Creative Team where he has been directing and performing as a dancer during dance concerts (Verve XX: Retracing Origins) and dance film productions (Revive-Revibe).

Roy Padrid Technical Committee Member Roy Padrid is a writing major of the BA Communication Arts program. He is a resident member of the UPLB Com Arts Society. Roy is currently working in the intersections of community as an advocate for universal access to education, good governance, and youth leadership.

Roy served as Committee head of Democracy in Good Governance of Southern Tagalog Youth Parliament. Prior to joining the public service, he was a member of a community-based filmmaker in Los Banos, he also became part of various theater productions in and outside UP.

Angeli Marcon Illustrator Angeli Marcon is a BS Development Communication student by day and a freelance graphic artist by night. Her artworks range from traditional watercolor painting to digital illustration and animation. Her passion for doing art comes from her frustration of having too many ideas and daydreaming. Art becomes her medium to bring these ideas into reality and share it with other people.

DONORS Chrystel Darbin Eliza Gregorio Karla Trillanes Sir Jeremy Reuel Dela Cruz Audije family Janet Amor Aly Silvano Astrid Loo Sophia Soriano (V)

SPECIAL THANKS TO Leyoneil Latina Jayson Obsonar Glenn & Myla Gregorio Stephanie Nocum Jec Devara CJ Villareal Ron Villareal Jed Ardiente Jessie Villarea Mary Jane Villareal David Clemente Alcala Elsa Francisco Ronnel Villareal Alexa Thea Garcia Jhun Francisco Darlon Jeremiah Hijara Kaila Guiling Patrick Francisco Kimbert Ching Bunmi Gregorio Remedios Gabriel Kat Mercado Eliza Gregorio Lorena Belmonte John Curibot Mikaya Gregorio Ruben Belmonte Sr.