Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (DUP) has been a home where Filipino theatre talent has flourished for almost five 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, with 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 are embedded in the DUP training of each student and colleague.
In its 48th Theatre Season, “Paano umuwi nang may pagpapasya?”, Dulaang UP continues to probe the question of intentionality in coming home by looking back at its humble beginnings as it builds toward the nearing 50th Theatre Season. Sir Tony’s legacy lives on with the university-based company bringing its student-artists, collaborators, and alumni to the forefront. This was recently initiated through their 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 its student spaces, the company’s next production is a revival of UP Playwrights’ Theatre (renamed 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 alumnus, 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 serves as an ode to, 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 audiences to contemplate their origins and reflect on the search 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, including 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 composed 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 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, with shows on Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 PM, and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM. Tickets are available via Ticket2Me.net and direct purchase (https://bit.ly/AKKDirectPurchaseForm
) 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 and 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 and promos are not stackable.
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