Dularkada Playhouse previewed plays of generational stigma and cycles during “Stage Bites: Community Edition — PIGLAS” at Amalfi718 Hotel, Sept. 20.
The play festival featured six pieces by rising and veteran Batangueño directors, playwrights, and actors, each delving into confrontations shaped by different relationships:
- Susi
- May Naiiwan
- Sa Ilalim ng Buwan tuwing Hatinggabi
- After Sunday
- Plantsado
- Bago ang I Do
Director Armyr Encarnacion discussed that his play, After Sunday, illustrated the sacrifices made for love and the belief that everyone deserves to love without condemnation.
“I […] hope […] to show that everybody deserves to love free from judgment. At the same time, gusto naming iparating na minsan kailangan mo i-let go ‘yung ibang bagay para maipakita mo na mahal mo talaga ‘yung isang tao,” said Encarnacion.
Moreover, Zek Ramos stressed the importance of trusting in his actors’ capabilities as he faced challenges in communicating the message of his play.
“As a director, more on planning ahead […], may tiwala ka pa rin [dapat] sa actor mo na kung ano man ‘yung challenges [ay] malalampasan talaga kasi maraming unfortunate events in the professional field rin naman,” Ramos discussed.
Furthermore, Festival Producer Queenay Mercado encouraged local artists to transcend norms in pursuit of their creative passions.
“Wala namang masama sa pagpapatuloy [ng teatro] lalo na kapag pangarap mo ito [at] passion mo ito. […] Kumbaga, kumawala ka na sa kahon kasi […] minsan […] kinakahon natin sarili natin kasi akala natin ‘di natin kaya,” said Mercado.
The event closed with an audience talkback, as RK Mercado invited the public for its official run from Sept. 26 to 27 and Oct. 3 to 4.
