How You Can Celebrate Buwan ng Wika While Supporting Theater

August is Buwan ng Wika, and if you’re looking to celebrate our heritage and our beautiful language this month, why not do so while also supporting local theater? It is, after all, one of the industries most devastated by the pandemic, and theater workers, from actors and directors, all the way to stagehands, need all the support they can get. This month, Tanghalang Pilipino is continuing ‘PansamanTanghalan’ with a month-long celebration of Buwan ng Wika. 

They are releasing performances on their YouTube channel for the entire month of August, from Pamanang Pahina to Handa, Awit. 

Pamanang Pahina consists of dramatic readings of Filipino children's books from OMF Library-Hiyas, which will be performed by members of the Actors Company, with Anino Shadowplay Collective providing the striking visuals. Starting off the storytelling series is “Ang Bagong Kaibigan ni Bing Butiki” written by Yna Reyes (with Illustration by Jason Moss) and adapted for this performance by Nono Pardalis. This episode, about an encompassing friendship between unlikely characters, is now available online.

CCP Online is featuring TP’s Nang Dalawin ng Pag-Ibig si Juan Tamad. Adapted for stage by Rody Vera, with direction by Jonathan Tadioan and featuring the TP Actors Company, Nang Dalawin ng Pag-ibig si Juan Tamad was originally performed at the CCP in February 2018 as part of TP’s 31st Season. It was also the Philippine entry in the 7th World Theater Congress held in Moscow, Russia in 2018. The production can be streamed from the official CCP YouTube channel, starting August 8 at 3 p.m.

Bagong Tagpo provides an opportunity for the audiences to see how a TP production is being developed. Heneral Rizal, a monologue written by Floro Quibuyen, is the first production under this, and it features TP’s Artistic Director, Nanding Josef. Heneral Rizal tells the story of José Rizal’s brother, Paciano. It will premiere in Cinemalaya 16.

The second installment of Handa, Awit features inspiring songs from two landmark musicals from TP. Acclaimed artists Mark Bautista, Gian Magdangal, Cris Villonco, Arman Ferrer, and Noel Rayos will reunite and relive their roles from Noli Me Tangere: The Musical and Walang Sugat for this online concert, streaming on August 30. 

You can also show your support by donating: 

BPI

Account Name: Tanghalang Pilipino Foundation, Inc.

Savings Account Number: 3131-0387-46

Bank Branch: BPI - Harrison Plaza

GCash

Gcash Number: 0915-453-8933

Check out the full calendar of activities below:

Lead photos from Tanghalang Pilipino