Dulaang UP closes its 48th Theatre Season, Paano umuwi nang may pagpapasya?, with Ang Kaliitan ng Kasalukuyan, written and directed by Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature multi-awarded playwright and its artistic director, Arlo Deguzman. It’s running until March 29, 2026, at the IBG-KAL Theater, UP Diliman, Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Written by a former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) of 15 years, this is a powerful and contemporary work honoring his fellow OFWs, giving them support and bringing their struggles to light. The play tackles this emotional landscape, an ode to migrant workers.
GREYNAINE
These stories, embodied in movement, puppetry and lyric, flesh out an OFW’s struggle veiled in melancholy: a father’s frustration with unending remittances, a mother seeking to make the sacrifice worthwhile, a sister negotiating the promise of separation, and a son bearing the silence of a deafening burden. DUP brings to the fore our origins and bids for connection and home.
Some of the cast and crew had been an OFW, had thought (or is thinking) of being one, or longs for a loved one abroad—a dimension that brings sentimentality and earnestness to the production.
Dulaang UP’s revival of UP Playwrights’ Theatre
As its 50th Theatre Season approaches, Dulaang UP embarks on a communal celebration of their students, alumni, and previous collaborators. Its recent run of DUP Classics’ Para Kay Tony: Tungo sa Ginintuang Alaala, A Tribute to our National Artist for Theatre Tony Mabesa, was the first ever all student-led process and selection of plays tackling oppressive authorities, a display of how far Dulaang UP has transformed through decades of struggle, into a space for critical questioning and for nurturing curiosity — as the late DUP founding artistic director Tony envisioned the program.
Dulaang UP’s 48th Theatre Season, Paano umuwi nang may pagpapasya? probes the question of intentionality in coming home, by looking back on DUP’s humble beginnings. Mabesa’s legacy lives on with the revival of UP Playwrights’ Theatre, renamed as DUP Playwrights now on its 29th Theatre Season, with the play, Ang Kaliitan ng Kasalukuyan.
Industry professionals, students and DUP alumni, and new artists make up the ensemble and production, including Sandino Martin, Tess Jamias, Fermin Villegas, Sheryll Ceasico, Marichu Belarmino, Jojo Cayabyab, Hazel Maranan, Domileo Espejo, and Mitzie Lao. There are also artist-scholars Kerr Allen, Angel Manansala, Raymond Aguilar, Julianne Quimio, Ralph Onrubia, Janae Delos Santos, and Cy Guerrero.
The artistic team is composed of alumni, previous guest artists, and artists-in-training — from freshmen to graduating students. Joining Arlo Deguzman are Angel Dayao for music direction and sound design, with Neil Shane Alcain and Jisu Jang, siglo for puppetry design, Jonas Gabriel Garcia for dramaturgy, Kirby Dunnzell as movement collaborator, Dan Wesley as associate movement collaborator, Aaron Misayah leading the scenic design, Tilda Oreta for costume design, Third Salamat for lighting design, and Jada Bartolome for projection design.
1,000Php Regular Price
800Php PWD / Senior Citizens / Non-UP Students
700Php for OFWs—current and former, ticket is transferable; available via direct purchase
650Php UP Community (Students and Employees): Friday–Sunday shows; available via direct purchase
550PhP UP Community (Students and Employees): Thursday shows; available via direct purchase
Ticket buyers can avail themselves of only one discount.
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