February 16, 2009

Pig heaven

Entablado (stage) is a student theater group of the Ateneo de Manila University organized just before the EDSA People Power Revolution. It focuses primarily on experimental and street theater and chooses plays which have strong socio-political content. The last play they staged certainly had a heavy dose of it, but it was also whimsical and hilarious. Titled "Ang Unang Baboy sa Langit" (The First Pig in Heaven), it was a musical adaptation of the children's story written by Rene O. Villanueva, a playwright and author of children's books in Tagalog. The story won first prize in the 1990 Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, which is probably the Philippines' most prestigious literary award. The script was written by Christine S. Bellen, who also wrote the script for "Batang Rizal" (The Boy Rizal). The story takes place on Babuyan Island (roughly, Island of Pigs—baboy is the Tagalog word for pig) and the simple yet creative and very effective stage was designed by Gino G. Gonzales, a protégé of Philippine National Artist for Theater Design Salvador F. Bernal. The tree trunk platforms' bark is little pieces of bamboo glued to the sides of the painted wood.

Gino Gonzales' stage design for Entablado's 'Ang Unang Baboy sa Langit'

23 comments:

Layrayski said...

This sounds like a wonderful play!

Martin MY said...

Unique adn stunning affectvie, those colours just hit you with their depth.

Lois said...

That is a very beautiful set!

escape said...

the title alone is already catchy! sounds good.

abc said...

Well who knows if pigs go to heaven too. Very cool stage.

marley said...

That is a very crative set. I like theuse of light.

Olivier said...

belle lumiere sur cette photo de spectacle.

beautiful light in this picture show.

Debbie Courson Smith said...

The title did draw me in - interesting snapshot of theater culture.

अविनाश said...

looks good n sounds good too

gogouci said...

Sounds like it was a great production. We can all use a laugh now and again. Beautiful stage, lighting, backdrop and photo.

Saretta said...

Interesting set, did you enjoy the play?

cieldequimper said...

Beautiful stage, great photo!

Halcyon said...

The scenery is beautiful. Hope you enjoyed the show!

Unknown said...

This is very cool! Nice atmosphere indeed.

Anonymous said...

That looks like a really interesting and imaginative stage set! Did you get any pictures of the acting?

nobu said...

Beautiful colour..
Cool shot!

JayAshKal said...

The stage is beuatifully lighted and constructed. I have not had the pleasure of reading the original story but I am intrigued of the musical adaptation...

Reading now another Palanca winner: "Gerilya" by Norman W.

• Eliane • said...

Great lights and colors!

Hilda said...

Jackie:
Yes, I did! :D

hadv said...

I like the stage set and backdrop. I used to be in theater, and setting up the stage was always a headache.

Jilly said...

Oh those colours. How marvellous. What a stunning set, Hilda. Glad you enjoyed the play.

George said...

This is a very beautiful, colorful set.

Fabrizio Zanelli said...

I hope you had a great evening. Your photo is wonderful !