QUEZON CITY, Philippines—Tanghalang Ateneo, the longest-running theater company under the Loyola Schools of Ateneo de Manila University, presents in its 46th season, Medea, a Filipino translation of Euripides’s classic tale by National Artist for Literature and Theater Rolando S. Tinio.
Title: Medea
Directed by: Ron Capinding
Translated to Filipino by: Rolando S. Tinio
From the English Translation of: Philip Vellacott
Medea, a sorceress, is betrayed by her husband Jason after helping him secure the Golden Fleece. When Jason leaves her for Creon’s daughter, Medea is banished but persuades Creon to give her one more day. At that time, she plots revenge, sending cursed gifts to the princess who kills her and Creon. The tragedy culminates in Medea’s ultimate act of vengeance, punishing Jason with the murder of their own children, leaving him to ruin and complete devastation.
First performed in 431 BC, this landmark work of classical Greek theater explores themes of betrayal, revenge, and the destructive power of passion and human nature after being stripped of everything that makes one human.
The company’s season theme of “Eloquentia, Sapientia, Humanitas: The Ricky Season”—which means eloquence, wisdom, and humanity—is evident in Medea as it intertwines all three themes, through the power and eloquence of words and the central themes of love and rage that Medea’s story brings. Quoting Tanghalang Ateneo’s Artistic Director, Guelan Varela-Luarca:
May paniniwala ang maraming mga sinaunang kultura, isa na roon ang mga Griyego, na may pisikal na epekto ang mga salita. Kaya nga dinadasalan nila gamit ang mga salita ang mga may-sakit, sa paniniwalang may nakahihilom na mahikang dulot ang mga salita.
Medyo patay na ang paniniwalang iyan sa popular na kultura natin ngayon. Hindi na kasintalik ang relasiyon natin sa mga salita. Sekular na tayo, praktikal, utilitarian, hindi na gaanong naniniwala sa bisa ng mga salita na baguhin ang pisikal na mundo. Iyon ang isa sa maraming dahilan kung bakit dapat nating balik-balikan ang teatro ng mga Griyego. Dahil mabisang paalala ang wika ng mga dulang Griyego kung gaano nakababangag, nakalalango, nakaluluwalhati, nakapangkukulam, nakapambabanyuhay ang mga salita.
Pakinggan ang wikang bibigkasin ng mga aktor ng Medea, na pawang pinanday ang husay sa pagganap sa mga klasikal na dula, at mamamamalayan mong may dulot itong kapangyarihan at salamangka. Madilim na dula ang Medea, hindi ito nagpipinta ng magalak at maliwanag na larawan ng buhay-tao. Nakatubog sa dugo ang wika ni Euripides at ni Rolando S. Tinio. Dugo ng bahay-bata, dugo ng pagpaslang. Pinupukaw ng Medea ang mga puwersa sa loob natin na galing sa mga anino ng ating puso, sa kabulukan ng ating mga kaluluwa, sa kolektibong kubling malay nating hayok sa higanti at kawalang-katarungan.
Coming up as the organization’s second production for the season, the production features a cast of seasoned, veteran actors from the organization’s alumni, making a return to the stage:
Miren Alvarez-Fabregas as Medea
Yan Yuzon as Yason
Joseph Dela Cruz as Egeo
Katski Flores as Yaya
Mark Aranal and Joel Macaventa as Maestro
Chot Kabigting and Ron Capinding as Kreon
Gold Soon and Pickles Leonidas as Koro
The Artistic Team for this production is composed of the following esteemed individuals:
Ron Capinding for Direction
Tata Tuviera for Production Design
Zak Capinding for Sound Design
D Cortezano for Lighting Design
Ara Fernando for Make-up
Pat Ong for Photography
Edwin Leovince for Assistant Photography
Jo Aguilar for Graphic Design
and Rommielle Morada for Assistant Graphic Design
Completing the crew for this production are Tanghalang Ateneo’s current members serving as Production Heads:
Cynric Ercrisel Mercado for Production Management
Maliana Beran for Stage Management
Uriel Tibayan for Technical Direction
Julia Macuja for Set
Nicole Palo for Props
Perine Nyssa Bianzon for Lights
Zak Joaquin Capinding for Sounds
Lawrence Viesca for Costumes
Julienne Edar Ballaran for Documentation and Publications
Julia Vaila for Promotions and Publicity
Paolo Jose Garcia for Marketing
Aleks de Leon for Sponsorships
Renzo Bryle Sontillano for House Management
and Precious Santos for Sales Management
Medea’s show dates are from November 12-17, 19-24, 2024:
- 2:00 PM – November 16, 17, 23, 24
- 4:30 PM – November 12, 14, 19, 21
- 7:00 PM – November 13, 15, 16, 17, 20, 22, 23, 24
Tickets for general non-Atenean viewing are PHP 700, which can be purchased online at:
For bulk-buying ticket inquiries, please contact our Marketing Head, Paolo Jose Garcia at 0961 822 4832. For sponsorship opportunities, kindly contact our Sponsorship Head, Aleks de Leon at 0998 569 8400.
For more information about the show, follow Tanghalang Ateneo through the following platforms:
- Facebook: fb.com/TanghalangAteneo
- Instagram: instagram.com/tanghalangateneo