Dulaang Kalay’s New Play Tackles Filipinos’ Penchant for Soap Operas

Manila, Philippines, November 14, 2011 -- Dulaang UP's Rizal X's head writer Katte Sabate, and composer and lyricist William Elvin Manzano have just formed a new theater group called Dulaang Kalay whose inaugural offering is an original play titled Series Finale:  Saan Hahantong ang Tagpong Ito?, a satirical look at Filipinos' incurable obsession toward soap operas.

According to Fr. Roland Dela Rosa, a columnist in the Manila Bulletin, "...less than 5% of the adult Filipino population in urban areas read books. Around 23% prefer...radio and newspapers. But, a whopping 72% depend on television [including soap operas] and the Internet for their daily dose of information." (J. Walter Thompson's survey, 2011)  Dulaang Kalay's new play, Series Finale, would probe deeper into this phenomenon by dissecting the anatomy of a soap opera's final episode -- most of the time, formulaic and derivative -- and its implications and relationship to national scandals and sensational news reporting.

Except for actors Acey Aguilar (Orosman at Zafira) and Elora Españo (Rizal X, Orosman at Zafira), the play will feature several new faces: Janine Santos, Erika Estacio, Jules Dela Paz, Toji Salinas, Roxy Aldiosa, Dreps Tatad, Earle Figuracion, Harry David, JR Macanas, Zandrei Merced, Japo Parcero, Victoria Mañebo, Leah Galisa, Nikka Angeles, Keann Clemente, Gell-O Conferido, Lexy Lu, Claricel Estrella, Jake Tanchuling, and Tim Villareal.

Jean Tanchuco and Nissi Gatan are production designers; Niqi Granados is costume designer; Meliton Roxas is lighting designer; Dino Dimar is photographer and graphic designer; Gabe Ongkiko and Timothy Ng are video producers; Delphine Buencamino is choreographer; and Manzano is director.

Dulaang Kalay's Series Finale will run from December 5 to 18 at Vision 21, Crossroads 77, No. 77 Mother Ignacia Street, Quezon City.