Theater Review: Dulaang UP's "Ang Kaliitan ng Kasalukuyan"

Dulaang UP’s Ang Kaliitan ng Kasalukuyan takes on the familiar yet still urgent story of the overseas Filipino worker, using an intimate staging and a mix of theatrical forms to bring the experience closer to its audience. While the production succeeds in creating emotional access, it also shows some unevenness in how its ideas are carried through.

At the center is Sandino Martin as Bulan, who delivers a steady and sincere performance. He keeps the character grounded, especially in quieter moments where the weight of isolation is more felt than spoken. His portrayal becomes the anchor of the play, particularly when the material shifts between tones.

The staging works in the production’s favor. The intimate setup allows the audience to feel involved rather than just observing from a distance. Projections are used throughout and are generally well integrated, helping set the mood and context without taking attention away from the actors. These choices support the storytelling and give the play a strong visual identity.

The show also attempts to combine several disciplines, including musical elements, drama, puppetry, and advocacy. At its best, this mix adds variety and keeps the performance engaging. However, not all transitions feel smooth. Some segments stand out more than others, making the overall flow feel uneven at times. The versatility of the set helps bridge these shifts, but the structure can still feel fragmented.

The first part of the play is one of its stronger sections. It presents a relatable picture of an OFW returning home, from the frustration of traffic to the sudden closeness of family members. These moments are handled with warmth and familiarity, capturing the mix of comfort and tension that comes with going back to one’s roots. The sense of nostalgia is clear and effective, giving the audience an easy point of connection.

A key highlight is the exchange between Bulan and his older sister. Their dialogue is direct and emotionally charged, offering some of the most honest moments in the play. The sister’s lines carry insight and lived experience, and the tension between them feels real. This scene stands out because it is clear, focused, and grounded.

Ang Kaliitan ng Kasalukuyan raises important points about distance, family, and survival, but does not always sustain the same level of clarity across its runtime. It is at its strongest when it leans into simple, truthful moments rather than layered concepts.

The production runs until March 29 at the IBG-KAL Theater in UP Diliman.

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Dulaang UP’s thriving fresh Talents, returning Alumni and Collaborators

Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (DUP) has been a home for Filipino theatre talent to flourish for almost 5 decades since its founding by National Artist for Theatre Tony Mabesa. Alumni and past collaborators have gone on to pave their own unique paths in the creative and entertainment industry, some taking their learnings to explore other fields as well. Whether the artist performs, directs, writes, designs, researches or manages, passion and out of the box thinking is embedded within the DUP training into each student and colleague.

In their 48th Theatre Season, “Paano umuwi nang may pagpapasya?” Dulaang UP picks up on probing the question of intentionality in coming home through looking back at their humble beginnings building upon the nearing 50th Theatre Season. Sir Tony’s legacy lives on with the university-based company bringing their student-artists, collaborators, and alumni at the forefront, initiated by their recently staged first ever all student-led twin-bill production, Para Kay Tony: Tungo sa Ginintuang Alaala, A Tribute to our National Artist for Theatre Tony Mabesa.

Continuing the discourse on homecoming and widening their student spaces, their production in the works is a revival of UP Playwrights’ Theatre (renamed to DUP Playwrights now on its 29th Theatre Season): Ang Kaliitan ng Kasalukuyan, written and directed by Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature multi-awarded playwright, returning alumni and newly-appointed Artistic Director, Arlo Deguzman.

Written from a place of diasporic experience, this piece is a powerful and contemporary work that tackles the emotional landscape of and an ode to our present day heroes, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). These stories, embodied in movement and lyric, aim to negotiate the melancholically veiled struggles of an OFW: a father’s frustration from unending remittances, a mother seeking to make the sacrifice worthwhile, a sister negotiating the promise of separation, and a son bearing the silence of a deafening burden. DUP invites us to contemplate on our origins and bids for connection and home.

Industry professionals and students will work more closely with each other as alumni, returning and new guest artists lead the ensemble with Sandino Martin, Tess Jamias, Fermin Villegas, Sheryll Ceasico, Marichu Belarmino, Jojo Cayabyab, Hazel Maranan, Domileo Espejo, and Mitzie Lao. Current artist-scholars Kerr Allen, Angel Manansala, Raymond Aguilar, Julianne Quimio, Ralph Onrubia, Janae Delos Santos, and Cy Guerrero craft their own creative footprint alongside the professionals.

The artistic team is likewise a team of alumni, previous guest artists, and artists-in-training — from freshmen to graduating students. Joining Arlo Deguzman are Angel Dayao for Music Direction and Sound Design — together with Neil Shane Alcain and Jisu Jang, siglo for Puppetry Design, Jonas Gabriel Garcia for Dramaturgy, Kirby Dunnzell as Movement Collaborator, Dan Wesley as Associate Movement Collaborator, Aaron Misayah leading the Scenic Design, Tilda Oreta for Costume Design, Third Salamat for Lighting Design, and Jada Bartolome for Projection Design.

The production will run from March 12, 2026 to March 29, 2026 at the IBG-KAL Theater, UP Diliman; Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30PM, and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30PM and 7:30PM. Tickets are available via Ticket2Me.net and direct purchase (https://bit.ly/AKKDirectPurchaseForm) with the following prices:

• Php 1,000 - Regular Price
• Php 800 - PWD / Senior Citizens / Non-UP Students
• Php 700 - OFWs—current and former, ticket is transferable; available via direct purchase
• Php 650 - UP Community (Students and Employees): Friday–Sunday shows; available via direct purchase
• Php 550 - UP Community (Students and Employees): Thursday shows; available via direct purchase

Note that discounts/promos are not stackable on each other.

Follow Dulaang UP's social media pages Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok

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OFW Realities Mirrored Through Theatre in Dulaang UP’s Ang Kaliitan ng Kasalukuyan

For many different reasons, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) courageously make a living abroad for years and oceans away from their loved ones. Most venture far in high hopes of greener pastures for their families. They confront homesickness, loneliness, culture shock, language barriers and (frustratingly) even racism in their everyday lives. Our migrant workers endure this altogether as they are driven by the struggle of life in the homeland.

Deemed as the country’s “modern day heroes”, their remittances play an integral role in the economy. There is then a strong sense of dependence by the government on the taxes collected from our “heroes”. Sensibly, one might expect that currencies entering the country would elevate the collective Filipino way of life, but that is not the case even after decades of waging OFWs.

Their presence (or absence) has been normalized. It has become routine to see them out to the airport and greet them with Duty Free goods — often every Christmas or New Year’s season. Before leaving the country, they treasure moments at home as best as they can through feasting, meaningful conversations, and nostalgia walks. As they prepare to leave again, they take memorabilia and a new set of memories to sustain them in their workplace.

The solution to this cyclic and systemic problem is often grazed upon. Although media representations of their narratives are well-documented and shared through films, news broadcasts, social media sites, and television series, the conversation is lacking in the space of theatre.

Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (DUP) aims to offer treatises in filling this void. Their production in the works, Ang Kaliitan ng Kasalukuyan, was written and directed by Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature multi-awarded playwright and DUP Artistic Director, Arlo Deguzman. A returning alumni, not only does he head home and pay his services forward to his alma mater, but also picks up where he left in the country having been a migrant worker himself for almost two decades across fifty countries.

Written from a place of diasporic experience, the piece is a powerful and contemporary work that tackles the emotional landscape of and an ode to our OFWs. These stories, embodied in movement and lyric, aim to negotiate the melancholically veiled struggles of a migrant worker: a father’s frustration from unending remittances, a mother seeking to make the sacrifice worthwhile, a sister negotiating the promise of separation, and a son bearing the silence of a deafening burden. DUP invites us to contemplate on our origins and bids for connection and home.

Perhaps this allows you to ponder on life in the Philippines or abroad and would lead you to questions or answers sought after. You might even find comfort in knowing some of the cast and crew had been an OFW, had thought (or is thinking) of being one, or longs for a loved one abroad. Whether you are an OFW or not, a story relative to yours will be told live through theatre that will certainly evoke in you a sense of yearning.

With the increasing tensions around the globe, the safety of our OFWs is then at risk — it is Dulaang UP’s hope that fellow countrymen be home safe, live and labor in their homeland with dignity and justice. Ultimately, for that time where all Filipinos are happy at home, without needing to leave, could come.

The production will run from March 12, 2026 to March 29, 2026 at the IBG-KAL Theater, UP Diliman; Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30PM, and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30PM and 7:30PM. Tickets are available via https://bit.ly/AngKaliitanNgKasalukuyan2026 with the following prices:

• Php 1,000 - Regular Price
• Php 800 - PWD / Senior Citizens / Non-UP Students
• Php 700 - OFWs—current and former, ticket is transferable; available via direct purchase
• Php 650 - UP Community (Students and Employees): Friday–Sunday shows; available via direct purchase
• Php 550 - UP Community (Students and Employees): Thursday shows; available via direct purchase

Please note that discounts/promos are not stackable on each other.

Follow and stay tuned to Dulaang UP's social media pages Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok.

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Dulaang UP’s Revival of UP Playwrights’ Theatre

Looking toward the company’s longevity in providing relevant and powerful theatre works to the people, more so as their 50th Theatre Season approaches, Dulaang UP’s invitation is a communal celebration of their students, alumni, and previous collaborators. Initiated in their recent run of DUP Classics’ Para Kay Tony: Tungo sa Ginintuang Alaala, A Tribute to our National Artist for Theatre Tony Mabesa, the first ever all student-led process and choice of plays tackling oppressive authorities were the message. The production was a display of how far Dulaang UP has transformed through its decades of ups and downs to become a space for sharp questioning and nurturing curiosity — as the late DUP Founding Artistic Director Sir Tony envisioned the program.

Dulaang UP’s 48th Theatre Season, “Paano umuwi nang may pagpapasya?” picks up on probing the question of intentionality in coming home through looking back at DUP’s humble beginnings. Sir Tony’s legacy lives on with the revival of UP Playwrights’ Theatre, renamed to DUP Playwrights now on its 29th Theatre Season, through the play, Ang Kaliitan ng Kasalukuyan, written and directed by Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature multi-awarded playwright and our Artistic Director, Arlo Deguzman.

Written from a place of diasporic experience, this piece is a powerful and contemporary work that tackles the emotional landscape of and an ode to our present day heroes, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). These stories, embodied in movement and lyric, aim to negotiate the melancholically veiled struggles of an OFW: a father’s frustration from unending remittances, a mother seeking to make the sacrifice worthwhile, a sister negotiating the promise of separation, and a son bearing the silence of a deafening burden. DUP invites us to contemplate on our origins and bids for connection and home.

Perhaps this allows you to ponder on life in the Philippines or abroad and would lead you to questions or answers sought after. One might even find comfort in knowing some of the cast and crew had been an OFW, had thought (or is thinking) of being one, or longs for a loved one abroad. Whether an OFW or not, a story relative to yours will be told live through theatre that will certainly evoke in you a sense of yearning.

The production will run from March 12, 2026 to March 29, 2026 at the IBG-KAL Theater, UP Diliman; Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30PM, and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30PM and 7:30PM. Tickets are available via https://bit.ly/AngKaliitanNgKasalukuyan2026 with the following prices:

• 1,000 PHP Regular Price
• 800 PHP PWD / Senior Citizens / Non-UP Students
• 700 PHP for OFWs—current and former, ticket is transferable; available via direct purchase
• 650 PHP UP Community (Students and Employees): Friday–Sunday shows; available via direct purchase
• 550 PHP UP Community (Students and Employees): Thursday shows; available via direct purchase

Note that discounts/promos are not stackable on each other.

A Full Theatre Experience Outside of the Theater
Dulaang UP’s young platforms, DUP Social1 and DUP Studio2 have more in store for patrons and art enthusiasts in this offering — all free admission! Listed below are some programs to look out for:

DUP Social

1. PeliDula: Theater & Migration Series – an initiative to bring pro-shot recordings of previous DUP productions from the archives to the screen. Three plays aligning with the theme of migration will be featured prior to Ang Kaliitan ng Kasalukuyan’s showdates, to be announced soon.
2. Arts Market – DUP’s community of artist-makers and entrepreneurs is blossoming and their space widens to accommodate more concessionaires! Events such as Lirika’t Lahok, where invited performers share their talent to audiences before the show, continue through the Arts Market space. Interested merchants can sign up or inquire through Dulaang UP’s social media pages.

DUP Studio

1. Networking Night – a cross-college networking event for UP Diliman’s many art and design majors. If you major in music, dance, fine arts, art studies, clothing technology, or literature, you are more than welcome to participate and meet like-minded creatives!
2. Contemporary Plays from Around the World: Staged Reading Series – a platform where participants are exposed to contemporary plays and interpret the pieces from different lenses.
3. Backstage Tours — done every Sunday during the show weeks. Gives an opportunity for audience members to explore the inner workings beyond the stage. They get to explore the stage and meet backstage crew and their designated work areas.
4. Critical Platform Writing Workshop — a writing workshop and competition for aspiring student writers to be welcomed in a space that boosts their knowledge, expertise and craft for critical writing. The participants will be asked to participate in a one-day workshop wherein they will be taught and given activities to test and practice their critiquing skills.

Stay tuned to their social media pages for announcements and ticket promo updates on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok

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Dulaang UP pays tribute to Tony Mabesa in twin bill ‘Para Kay Tony’

After the success of Nanay Bangis and Mga Anak ng Unos, Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (Dulaang UP) returns to the stage by paying tribute to its founder and National Artist for Theater Antonio ‘Tony’ Mabesa. The tribute, titled Para kay Tony: Tungo sa Ginintuang Alaala, is a twin bill showcasing two productions that capture the spirit of Dulaang UP’s nearly five-decade history.

The first half of the twin bill is a staging of Kalahating Oras sa Isang Kumbento by legendary Filipino playwright Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero as translated by Lilia F. Antonio. The story follows Yolanda, a student at a convent school, who seeks comfort and companionship after being expelled.

UP Diliman Theatre Arts student Lloyd Sarmiento Uy serves as director, alongside director-mentor Erika Estacio. The cast includes Kris Caaya, Rona Lynne, Jan Magcaling, Paulyn Abando, Janna Talampas, Gena Suelto, and Sheryll Ceasico.

The second play in Para kay Tony features National Artist Rolando Tinio’s May Katwiran ang Katwiran. The plot centers on Senyor, a wealthy haciendero who persuades his servant to join him on a journey across the mountains. Along the way, they encounter obstacles that threaten their survival. The staging is led by Theatre Arts student MJ Briones with director-mentor Charles Yee. Acting in the play are Francheska Andaya, Julianne Quimio, Akin Cullarin, Pat Ebro, Kerr Allen, Camille Fabian, and Daniel Duplon.

Para Kay Tony is part of Dulaang UP’s 48th theatre season “Paano umuwi nang may pagpapasya?” The season is part of a multi-year initiative building to Dulaang UP’s 50th anniversary. Since its inception in 1976, Dulaang UP has been staging classic and experimental plays while providing a platform of artistic expression for the UP Diliman community.

Catch Para Kay Tony at the IBG-KAL Theater, University of the Philippines Diliman, on the following dates: November 15, 22, and 29 (2:30 PM & 7:30 PM) November 20, 21, 27, and 28 (7:30 PM) November 16, 23, and 30 (10:30 AM & 2:30 PM)

Tickets are priced at Php 1000 each and can be purchased through TicketMelon at bit.ly/DUPParaKayTony.

Interested patrons may also buy tickets onsite at the Dulaang UP Office at Pavilion 3, Palma Hall, University of the Philippines Diliman. UP students, faculty, and staff can enjoy a discounted rate of Php 500. If you’re interested in sponsoring student beneficiaries to watch Para Kay Tony, you may check bit.ly/DUP48_PKT_SponsorADreamer for inquiries.

For further information, contact dulaangup.marketing.upd@up.edu.ph. Sponsorship inquiries such as audience sponsorship and bulk tickets may be addressed to Ms. Anna Gamboa through the same email or through dulaangup_sponsorship.upd@up.edu.ph.

Dulaang UP may also be reached through phone at (02) 898 18500 loc 2449.

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Dulaang UP: “Nanay Bangis” fiercely opens this November 2024!

Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas is staging Nanay Bangis as its first offering for its 47th theatre season this November 15 to December 1, 2024. Directed by J. William Herbert Sigmund Go and adapted by Rody Vera from Bertolt Brecht’s “Mother Courage and Her Children,” Nanay Bangis is the story of a mother who loses her children to the conflict between the MNLF and the Philippine army from 1971 to 1981.

 This DUP CLASSICS’ Brechtian staging brings together returning UP alumni, now industry professionals, and young emerging talents from the theater program in this collaboration. Ge Malacaman Villamil leads as Nanay Bangis together with Air Paz, Rona Rostata, and Fred Layno. J. William Herbert Sigmund Go, former Tanghalang Pilipino Artistic Director and Virgin Labfest Co-founder also returns to Dulaang UP as director and mentor for theatre students.

Founded in 1976 by National Artist Tony Mabesa, Dulaang UP serves as the production arm of the UP Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts. In its 47th theatre season—subtitled “Amihan at Habagat,” DUP looks into how Filipinos are at the center of political and ecological precarity. Just like the amihan and habagat, this season’s productions show the push and pull in the critical zones of the Philippines today.

Presenting both tradition and innovation, this season introduces two banners under Dulaang UP: DUP CLASSICS and DUP INNOVATE.

Catch Nanay Bangis at the IBG-KAL Theater, University of the Philippines Diliman, on the following dates:

• November 15, 22, 29 (7:30 PM)
• November 16, 23, 30 (2:30 PM & 7:30 PM)
• November 17, 24, December 01 (10:30 AM & 2:30 PM)

For tickets, check [bit.ly/NanayBangisTickets]. PWDs and senior citizens may also enjoy a discounted rate of PHP 800. Regular, non-discounted tickets are also available via TicketMelon [ticketmelon.com/dulaang-up/nanaybangis].

For inquiries on show buying, audience sponsorship, and bulk tickets, contact Christen Perez at dulaangup.marketing.upd@up.edu.ph. Additional information will be posted at the Dulaang UP Facebook page.

*additional contributions by Marc Stanley Mozo and Jonas Gabriel Garcia

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Rosang Taba runs again this April - May 2024!

Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas is restaging the highly-acclaimed Kung Paano Nanalo sa Karera si Rosang Taba this April 19 to May 05 2024 in UP Diliman. Considered one of the Best Filipino Theatre of 2023, this reimagining of Dean Francis Alfar’s beloved children’s book by Maynard Manansala and Rody Vera showcases the power of storytelling to reclaim and celebrate one's independence.

A race between Rosa and her oppressors in the fictional world of the Katao ensues with her family’s freedom at stake. Directed by José Estrella, Issa Manalo Lopez and Mark Daniel Dalacat to fierce music and wit, the story of Rosang Taba is a story of how limitations can be overcomed when one has the will to fight for their liberty. How does an ordinary Katao beat a menacing commandant in a race? Come and witness Rosa do it!

A play for all ages, Rosang Taba is envisioned to be the race that every Filipino can run.

Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas has long been at the forefront of producing premiere theatre productions since it was established in 1976 by National Artist for Theatre Tony Mabesa. This production continues Dulaang UP’s celebration of women in its 46th Season Sidhi’t Silakbo. The season envisions women liberating themselves through a series of performances of freedom, fury, wit, rage, love and ruin.

Catch Kung Paano Nanalo sa Karera si Rosang Taba at the IBG-KAL Theater, University of the Philippines Diliman on the following dates:

April 19, 26, May 03 (7:30 pm)
April 20, 27, May 04 (3:30 pm & 7:30 pm)
April 21, 28, May 05 (10:30 am & 03:30 pm)

Tickets are available via Ticket2Me [ticket2me.net/event/21729].

For inquiries on show buying, audience sponsorship, and bulk tickets, contact Kate Dayag-Nonay at dulaangup.marketing.upd@up.edu.ph. Additional information will be posted at the Dulaang UP Facebook page.

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Kung Paano Nanalo sa Karera si Rosang Taba - review

With the lengthy title, who would not get curious? Kung Paano Nanalo sa Karera si Rosang Taba is actually a children's short story by Dean Francis Alfar adapted to a stage play that gives great impact. Aside from the suggestion that it makes fun of curvy individuals, it discusses beautifully layers of liberty, family relations and teaches lessons that open minds in an entertaining and pedagogic way.

Starting in a setting in a bar accompanied by catchy singing and music, the play was able to gather the attention of the audience by participating to the intros. Then the cast appear one by one and told their roles in the story so that everyone can follow.

Then it starts the main story, transporting the stage into colonial setting. The characters were divided into Hispanics and natives, wherein social injustice is being exposed. Our heroine Rosa, knows to fight back and betting on all odds, she challenged a wealthy and powerful Pietrado in a race. Then a layer of discrimination and body shaming adds to the issues that were already present. The post-show call back surprisingly revealed more than just the colonialism and fat shaming were tapped in the story. The short story has been put into greater heights and digs deeper with the lessons it entail.

Rody Vera (playwright), Kiki Baento (Rosang Taba) and Maynard Manansala (playwright) 

Two years in the pandemic has evolved the original plans of production to what it is today. The creative team has put together great ideas other than injecting comic factors that will surely be appreciated by audience from all ages. The stage, the script, and cast are seamless overall that it makes it a feast for the eyes and soul. My words would not be enough to say that it is perfect to watch and to repeat.

Kung Paano Nanalo sa Karera si Rosang Taba runs until April 2, 2023 at the UP Main Theater in UP Diliman. For tickets, you may buy from https://ticket2me.net/o/531

The book How Rosang Taba Won the Race by Dean Francis Alfar, is also available at the foyer, distributed by Lampara Books.

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Dulaang UP makes a comeback with Floy Quintos' The Reconciliation Dinner

The stage is set for Dulaang UP’s comeback with 45th Theatre Season opener, THE RECONCILIATION DINNER, a new one-act play by Floy Quintos, directed by Dexter M. Santos.

THE RECONCILIATION DINNER is a dark comedy about friends trying to heal unspoken hurts, suspicions, disbelief about the choices of those they thought they knew well. In light of the 2022 elections, how well do we really know those we hold dear? And how far are we willing to go to overlook the choices they make?

The production boasts a powerhouse ensemble of actors led by Stella Cañete-Mendoza and Frances Makil-Ignacio. They are joined by regulars in the Philippines theatre scene including Randy Medel Villarama, Jojo Cayabyab, Nelsito Gomez, Hariette Mozelle, and Phi Palmos.

Frances Makil-Ignacio

Stella Ca˜nete-Mendoza

Joining Quintos and Santos on their sixth theatre collaboration (previous works include The Kundiman Party, Angry Christ, Ang Huling Lagda ni Apolinario Mabini, Ang Nawalang Kapatid, and Collection) are Charles Yee (set), Mitoy Sta. Ana (costume), Loren Rivera (lights), Arvy Dimaculangan (sounds), Steven Tansiongco (video and poster), and Jojit Lorenzo (photography).

THE RECONCILIATION DINNER runs from November 18 to November 20 at the UP Theater Main Hall Stage, UP Diliman, Quezon City. Tickets are available via Ticket2Me (https://ticket2me.net/e/36022). The production will also have a limited video-on-demand release via Ticket2Me.

November 18 (Friday), 7:30 PM

November 19, (Saturday), 10:30 AM

November 19 (Saturday), 3:00 PM

November 19 (Saturday), 7:30 PM

November 20 (Sunday), 10:30 AM

November 20 (Sunday), 3:00 PM

November 20 (Sunday), 7:30 PM

For ticket inquiries and sponsorship, you may email us at dulaangup.upd@up.edu.ph or message our Facebook Page: Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (DUP Official Page).

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