Xtra Ordinary Productions of De La Salle-College of St. Benilde’s Theater Arts Program recently produced their debut performance last March 13-17, 2023 at the Design and Arts Campus, 4/F Fire Exit Staircase. They performed a 30 to 40 minute devised play entitled “(Pwedeng) Hindi Totoo: Baba sa Sirko Dugo” which ran for eighteen shows. Directed by Lawyn Cruz, co-directed by Mikaella Yoj Sanchez, with physical coaching by Jenny Logico-Cruz, and music by members of Why July.
Doktor Karayom, one of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Thirteen Artists Awardees of 2018, inspired this devised performance through their mural entitled “Hindi Totoo” . The performance takes the audience on a journey through a metaphysical dimension, where they will feel a variety of feelings like excitement, fear, and frustration as they make their way up an eerie staircase lined with bold, piercing eyes.
Four characters made up this ensemble piece. Led by a commanding Ring Master, Ron Angelo Villanueva directs the audience as they explore and interact with the creatures of Sirko Dugo. The audience is then met by Mikaella Yoj Sanchez, playing the character of a colorful Payaso who brings a performance to empathize with as her facade of smiles grapples at one’s need to belong in the sea of followers and likes. Cali Aldous Libiran then takes us to the pre-colonial times of Carpio, a warrior who believes that he must carry the weight of the nation on his own, consequently binding him in chains. Upon descending a flight of stairs, audiences meet an eerie Manghuhula played by Philip Emilio Macabantad. Although blind, his gifts allow him to see through the walls and see the future written on one’s hands. Later the final creature to be introduced is the audience. Suggesting that humans and creatures may just be alike.
This creative piece was complemented with live music by sound designers TJ Martinez and Franco Emil, who later became part of the performance as the blind buskers. Their score would never be the same as each day was dictated by the actor’s emotion and depth to reflect the essence of their monologues. As an additional challenge, the two were able to pull off live folly using the materials found within the space. With each unique performance, audiences were sure to witness something different every day.
Serving a full house for the majority of its performances, (Pwedeng) Hindi Totoo: Baba sa Sirko Dugo brings out the demons which we feel but cannot see, hidden but ruling our lives. A story diving into the inner workings of the human mind in an intriguing way.
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