(Press Release) What did it take for the committed and impassioned revolutionary Apolinario Mabini to sign the oath of allegiance to the United States of America in 1903? The promise of an end to his exile in Guam? The longing to return home to a land, changed and under a new colonial power? The simplest desire to die in his homeland? Mabini’s signing of the Act of Allegiance to the United States was, for the colonial powers, a sign that the Philippine Insurrection had at last come to an end. Could it have been that very simple and human desire, that longing for home, that could have made the Sublime Paralytic swear allegiance to the new colonizers?
Ang Huling Lagda ni Apolinario Mabini re-imagines the hero’s exile in Guam and the painful conditions that allowed for his return to the Philippines. The new musical, with book and libretto by
Floy Quintos, original music by
Krina Cayabyab, and direction and choreography by
Dexter M. Santos, hopes to explore the private pain of this great thinker in the face of betrayal and the failure of the Revolution he had dedicated his life to.
The cast is topbilled by veteran stage actors
Roeder Camañag as Apolinario Mabini, together with
Leo Rialp,
Al Gatmaitan,
Poppert Bernadas,
Nazer Salcedo,
Banaue Miclat, and
Jean Judith Javier. An ensemble of promising actors comprise the formidable supporting cast-
Ralph Oliva,
Chase Salazar,
Adrian Reyes,
Arion Sanchez,
Bym Buhain,
Edmundo Abad, Jr.,
Ralph Perez,
Ross Pesigan,
Roco Sanchez,
Rence Aviles,
Jon Abella,
Vincent Pajara, and
Stephen Viñas.
The artistic staff is completed by
Ohm David for set design,
John Batalla for lights design,
Darwin Desoacido for costumes, assistant choreography by
Stephen Viñas, technical direction by
Meliton Roxas Jr., dramaturgy by
Marvin Olaes,
Miggy Panganiban,
Fatimy Ivy Baggao and
Kyrstynne Vargas, and poster design and photography by
Dino Dimar.
Ang Huling Lagda ni Apolinario Mabini runs from
October 1 to 19, 2014 at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, 2nd floor Palma Hall, University of the Philippines Diliman. For tickets, sponsorships and show buying inquiries, call Samanta Hannah Clarin or Camille Guevara 926-1349, 433-7840, 981-8500 local 2449 or email dulaangupmarketing@gmail.com.
