#TheaterPH - A Visceral Lament in the Metro’s Waters - At Nagkatawang-tao ang Verbo at Control + Shift: Changing Narratives StudioLab
In the heart of Navotas and Malabon, where the scent of salt air is increasingly choked by the stench of industrial sludge, Tanghalang Bagong Sibol’s At Nagkatawang-tao ang Verbo emerges as more than just a play. It is a liturgical protest, a raw intersection of ancient faith and contemporary ecological catastrophe.
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| Photo from Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) FB Page |
The brilliance of Mikaela Regis’s script lies in its refusal to treat the Passion of Christ as a distant, historical artifact. Instead, she masterfully weaves it into the Filipino Pasyon, transforming the traditional chanting of Christ's suffering into a modern-day lament for a community drowning in an oil spill.
By grounding the narrative in the specific struggles of Navotas and Malabon, the production makes the "Word" tangible. The "Verbo" isn't just a theological concept; it is the fisherman whose livelihood is slicked in black; it is the water that once gave life and now carries the sting of corporate negligence.
Director Anthony Cruz elevates this synthesis through sharp, evocative choreography. The movement isn't merely decorative; it is the heartbeat of the performance.
The weight of the cross was captured through rhythmic, collective labor that mirrors the hauling of nets. Dancers move with a fluidity that feels dangerously like the oil itself—suffocating, clinging, and difficult to wash away.
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| Photo from Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) FB Page |
The choreography manages to be both vulnerable and intentional. There is a naked honesty in how the performers use their bodies to portray exhaustion, yet every sharp turn and synchronized gesture speaks to a community’s disciplined defiance.
What makes this production stand out is its avoidance of "poverty porn" or empty symbolism. It approaches the national issue of the oil spill with a localized, piercing gaze.
At Nagkatawang-tao ang Verbo is a triumph of socially conscious theater. It honors the solemnity of Filipino Lenten traditions while shouting a necessary, contemporary truth. Tanghalang Bagong Sibol has proven that when the sacred meets the systemic, the result is a powerful, transformative experience.
A must-watch for those who believe that faith is not just about looking up at the cross, but looking around at the world.
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| hoto from Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) FB Page |
DON’T MISS OUT: Two Worlds, One Ticket!
When the system fails, how do we survive? #PETAControlShift Set B: When Care Becomes Survival brings you two gut-wrenching, thought-provoking plays that bridge the gap between spiritual devotion and environmental survival.
Experience the power of Philippine theater with this double-bill:
- AT NAGKATAWANG_TAO ANG VERBO
- BAGA NG GUMUGUHONG LANGIT
𝗟𝗜𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗪𝗦 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗬!
- 🕹️ April 11, 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM (Fri)
- 🕹️ April 12, 7:00 PM (Sun)
- 🕹️ April 18, 2:00 PM (Sat)
- 🕹️ April 19, 2:00 PM (Sun)
🎟️ GRAB YOUR TICKETS NOW
Grab your tickets now and don’t wait until the curtains close! Enjoy 2 shows for the price of one ticket.
Price: Starting as low as P700.00
Where to Buy: Head over to Ticket2Me and search for #PETAControlShift Set B or click THIS LINK.
Support local art. Support the truth. See you at the theater!
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