MEDIARTRIX – UST staged an original Filipino theater production entitled “Sierra Madre: Isang Musikal,” written by Joshua Peter Tolentino, Hannah Karylle Espiritu, and Rio Celine Zafra, directed by Jearianna Maerizze Burgos and Lourdes Angel Gonzales, and managed by Enrico Byron Sacramento and Ana Katrina Gomez. The musical ran for 2 hours, featuring 14 original songs and instrumental compositions inspired by the mythical tale of Sierra Madre and the relevant societal issues that surrounded the mountain range today.
The story followed the life of Sierra, a warrior with a destiny of leadership, as she faced the challenge between duty and heart to become the next hara. By her side stood Lusong, a quiet fire of bravery and compassion, whose presence contained more than met the eye. Above them loomed Bugsong Hangin, a tempestuous wind god whose restless obsession stirred storms and calamity, shaping the world with a chaotic symphony of mortals, deities, forests, and floods.
Sierra Madre was a mythic tale of gods and mortals, forests and deluges. It was a story of sacrifice, resistance, and love that changed the earth. This depiction of the tale wove through time, tracing the land’s heartbeat from its mystical beginnings to its quiet, unwavering role in the nation. The island’s spine stood as a silent witness to love and loss. The mountain did not speak—but it remembered.
Director Lourdes Angel Gonzales shared the impact she wanted to evoke through the musical production. “I wanted to evoke empathy from the audience. As Sierra Madre continuously protects us, I hoped that we protect it as well. This story did not only exude the vision of our creativity, but our freedom to express our clamor for Sierra Madre’s safety and equality for everyone living there.”
Gonzales emphasized the importance of discussing the events surrounding Sierra Madre, its present-day significance, and how people could contribute to raising awareness and safeguarding this long-standing protector. “Not because you haven’t felt the weight of the burden, does not mean that you are exempted from it,” she stated.
Through this, the production sought to ignite a deeper understanding of the urgent need for environmental consciousness. The Sierra Madre, often called the Philippines’ natural shield, had long stood as a silent guardian, protecting countless communities from the devastating impacts of typhoons, landslides, and other natural disasters. Since ancestral times, it had cradled the lives and culture of those who lived in its sanctuary.
The production premiered on April 28 (11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM), April 30 (10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:30 PM, 6:00 PM), and on May 3 (1:00 PM, 3:30 PM, 6:00 PM) at the UST Albertus Magnus Building, 4th Floor Auditorium, and was open to all Thomasian and non-Thomasian audiences. Tickets ranged from P350 for Regulars, P300 for UST Alumni, and P900 for a trio bundle. This production was made possible by the event’s Co-Presenter, Sole Flight.
By bringing the mountain to life through tale and music, the production revisited the legendary origins of Sierra Madre, where gods, mortals, and nature once intertwined. Yet beyond the folklore lay a pressing truth: the Sierra Madre was under threat. The musical became a vessel not just for storytelling, but for stirring reflection and inspiring action. It invited the audience to see the mountain not as a distant backdrop, but as a living, breathing presence—one that continued to protect, even as it cried out for protection in return.
