Behind the fiesta lies a dying nation: Dulaang UP reimagines Rizal’s Noli Me Tángere

From a traditional period piece to a lively, ritualistic cycle of life, death, and societal spectacle, Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (Dulaang UP) divides José Rizal’s narrative of Noli Me Tángere’s (Noli) into two stark visual and emotional realms: the chaotic, enforced joy of public festivities (fiestas) and the silent, haunting truth of systemic decline and death (muertos). This dichotomy reflects the societal ailment of Spanish-colonial San Diego, where opulent religious celebrations are exploited by the ruling class to conceal extreme poverty, corruption, and psychological harm.

Fiestas y Muertos is a performatively grand display of abundance and piety, dissolving the strict hierarchy of church liturgy into a vibrant, energetic celebration of community and survival. Characters are transformed from mere historical figures into enduring mythical symbols of survival and sacrifice caught within a collapsing colonial system.

Filling the streets of San Diego is a cast of old and new friends of Dulaang UP, led by Jerom Canlas who puts a face on the familiar name of Crisostomo Ibarra, with Justine Peña playing the adored Maria Clara. The wise Pilosopo Tasyo, renamed Inay Dorang, is Peewee O’hara. The fugitive Elias is played by Ross Pesigan with the dutiful Salome given breath by Elora Españo. Joseph Pe is the sinister Padre Salvi with Jojo Cayabyab as the corrupt and prejudiced Padre Damaso. Iris Montesclaros as a long-suffering Sisa with her children, Quiel Campo and Daphne Galang, as Basilio and Crispin, respectively.

 

 

Fiestas y Muertos is directed by José Estrella and adapted by Andrew Estacio based on and inspired by the Filipino translation of José Rizal’s Noli me Tangere by National Artist Virgilio S. Almario. Together with Estrella and Estacio in the artistic team are Sir Anril Tiatco and Jem Javier (Dramaturgy and Additional Lines), Charles Yee (Set and Props), Carlos Siongco (Costume), Angel Dayao (Sound and Original Music), Barbie Tan-Tiongco (Lights), Joyce Garcia (Video), Al Garcia (Movement), Mykee Ababon (Technical Direction), and Aji Manalo (Sound Engineering).

In staging this production, the company probes the question: which corrupt structures, institutions, and illusions must be abolished to enable real social liberation?

Fiestas y Muertos will run from October 23 to November 15, 2026 at the IBG-KAL Theatre, UP Diliman. See the standard ticket prices below:

Ticket Type
Regular PHP 1,200
UP Community PHP 690 (Undergraduate/Graduate Students and Employees)
*Valid only for Friday shows
PWD/Senior Citizen/UP Alumni/Non-UP Student PHP 960

Show Schedule:
Fridays
October 23, November 13
7:00 PM

Saturdays and Sundays
October 24 and 25, November 8, 14, and 15

2:00 PM and 7:00 PM

For block reservations, showbuying, and early ticket inquiries, contact the Dulaang UP Marketing Team at dulaangup.marketing.upd@up.edu.ph or follow Dulaang UP’s official social media pages for updates.
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