Last February 28, Teatro De Letran showcase talents of Letranites showcasing talents by addressing various social issues. Photo Courtesy: Anne Rebagay.
Art, not being only an expression of colors, figures, form, and value: but a representation of lives, stories, and issues that shapes the world in limitless ways.
On February 28 and March 1 of 2025, the Mabini Hall opens its stage for life changing stories, portrayed by the characters from the play of ‘Baby Labyrinth’, ‘Sakuna Matata (Mo)’, and ‘Babae po Ako’ brought by Teatro De Letran (TDL) for “ITUTULOY; Tatlong Dulaang Panlaboratoryo” in its 13th season of Theater Play, and second year of original plays written by the organization’s members.
The yearly event of TDL did not only showcase the talents of Letranites in portraying characters, writing stories, and directing; but by bringing life to the platform they were given through addressing various social issues.
As the opening, a unified voice singing hand in hand “Minsan” of Eraserheads has shown not just the essence of contemporary art, but the legacy of the past that will always meet its present, and future.
Being on a rollercoaster is not just about where we are, it’s a feeling that moves between our emotions and thoughts—and that’s what this year’s Laboratory Fest is all about.
Eyes on the Price
Baby Labyrinth is a play that gives us a perspective of what kind of life artist goes through to create picture-perfect smiles for its consumers in the media. Not just it shows how hard it is for the people exposed in screens, but also the people behind the creation of the entertainment.
With a setting of being inside a program of a talk show named “Ted-Talk” where truth behind artists’ lives are uncovered, audiences sitting across the stage wonders whether they are part of the storyline, or an audience of the play since they are applauding and reacting to the show itself as instructed by the director of “Ted-Talk”, as if the audiences were actors themselves.
All of a sudden, audiences were taking part of a role in Baby Labyrinth.
However, this reflects the involvement of everyone as audiences from the media. We view the lives of artists in a form of entertainment where every right and wrong, good and bad, even beautiful and unpleasant are subject to people’s judgement.
Benj Arias, the host of “Ted-Talk”and Ted himself, manifested exemplary skills in his act by showing how nauseating it is to be viewed as an item of discussion in the entertainment industry. He excelled not only in the act, but also in embodying the very essence of crab mentality by pulling others down to keep who he is, and to further climb up in the ladder.
For Leitish Delos Reyes, the actress of Ana Paloma, resonated with her character through going deep in the troubles of the Supermodel, “These social issues showcase the issue of performance art . It is not talked about enough, it is not tackled enough what effort these people put themselves through just to climb up to the top. There are impractical things for the morality of people, yet, It depicts the desperation that at some point we’re all willing to do anything that could be bad in the long run…there’s toxicity in media, people lost their liberty by thinking every time of the consequences that people could throw at them,” said Leitish Delos Reyes.
Industries across society have been shaped by past generations through various means, ethical or otherwise, in pursuit of climbing the social hierarchy.
This reflects the deep-seated flaws within the entertainment industry, yet we continue to consume its content, willingly becoming slaves to the system.
“Regardless of the industry, its foundation doesn’t develop naturally—it is shaped by diverse backgrounds and experiences. In this play, that foundation is represented by an aging woman who has carried and shaped something beautiful from the past, a deadly passionate man sitting behind the camera, an enigmatic television host who believes the world is his—until he doesn’t, realizing he is just another voice in the crowd—and finally, a supermodel whose utter disdain for her upbringing and present-day breakdown forces her to do a thing or two. In the end, the goal is to strip away the spectacle and reveal these figures for what they truly are—human,” said Peter Yebes, the director and writer of ‘Baby Labyrinth’.
At the end of the day, humans are a consumer of what they see as liberating. To feel that they are superior to another is a founding representation of why such a system works in this world.
As the ‘mass’ of “mass media”, the public holds a shared responsibility for its impact. Being a problem of the society does not make anyone a better person.
Eye of the Storm
"Sakuna Matata (Mo)," a theatrical production that sheds light on the harsh realities of academic pressure and its toll on students' personal lives. The play explores the struggle of a student who is trapped in an unforgiving system, revealing that achievements alone are not worth more than the relationships and motivations that inspire them to keep fighting for a meaningful life.
The director of the play, Uriel Magnipis, drew inspiration from the phrase 'Hakuna Matata' from The Lion King, which translates to 'no worries.' This theme resonates with the play’s message, set in an evacuation center after a 'sakuna' (disaster). The title also incorporates 'matata (mo),' reflecting the lessons the characters learn as she reflects from the aftermath of calamity, embracing wisdom from the lives of fellow evacuees.
The evacuation center are full of people who longs for the people they lost, and seeking what they value—Among them is Ymir, a student preoccupied with her academic responsibilities despite the ongoing calamity.
Ymir’s character represents the struggles of a student who, while initially focused on her paperwork, begins to see life beyond deadlines. After meeting other evacuees, she encounters diverse perspectives on what is truly "important" shaped by their personal experiences and values.
For the actress of Ymir who immersed herself in various documentaries to portray and give justice in honoring those who have lived through tragedies, viewed Ymir as “A testament to the human spirit’s refusal to break, even when the world crumbles around her..Her obsession with her thesis amidst devastation reflects a haunting truth: sometimes, clinging to routine is the only way to stay afloat,” Said Kirsten Abutin, the portrayer of Ymir.
The play speaks through the audience, leaving thought-provoking reflection on priorities, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit once people face the sakuna in their lives.
“It’s not too late to realize na maraming estudyante and bugbog sa pag-aaral. They neglect their own needs, personal time to enjoy.. We need someone or something to tell us na ‘Uy, kalma ka lang! Hindi ka naman nauubusan ng oras at ng chance. So, huminga ka lang.’ give yourself a chance to create more memories that are more treasurable than your achievements,” Said by Uriel Magnipis, the director’s inspiration in writing Sakuna Matata (Mo).
Through its narrative, the story captures the unwavering spirit of Filipinos in getting back up at every tragedies. “At some point in our lives, the story shows how Filipinos are dedicated, optimistic, and always ready to face life again,” Said, Ann Rodriguez, a writer of the play.
Every day, people take on responsibilities, striving for a brighter future. But when they become prisoners to obligations rather than masters of their own lives, is that truly living? When life's inevitable 'sakunas' arrive, who will be there to remind people to pause, to breathe, and make them realize to live, not just survive?
The Eye of the Beholder
Following the profound and thought-provoking nature of both plays, Carlo Gula’s theatrical masterpiece “Babae Po Ako” resonantly burst onto the stage. From the very first moment, the audience was hooked, laughing, cheering, and even screaming as the unforgettable character of Amara took center stage.
“Babae Po Ako” is a play about a Transgender, Amara, who faced discrimination about being labeled as a “woman” even with the eye-catching body, and breathtaking beauty in a Dominican School. Even with the support of her parents, it is those that know her less loathe her more. Despite being a model student of academic achievement, her cruel world shows her that the definition of her value lies in her physical characteristics.
With the play being centered on gender, the director wrote the play in order to depict “Showing the realities of the different members of the LGBTQ+ Community..ano nga ba yung different struggles ng mga students ng part ng community dito sa loob ng paaralan. You have to understand the issue in order to assess the different things that LGBTQ+ have to do, the things that have to be answered and the things that are calling,” said, Carlo Gula, the Director of “Babae Po Ako”.
With outstanding support from the crowd, Amara proves that being part of the LGBTQ+ does not lessen the person that she is. Amara is brave, outstanding, and liberating. She is art herself.
For the actress of Amara who expresses herself in pursuance of the value of expressing social issues in the view of art, “It is very crucial for people na mas kilalanin ‘yung ganitong klase ng art..hindi siya madali pero masaya..Sa ganitong field, hindi ka lang puro sulat, puro gawa ng kwento, puro arte; let us make them understand na it is not just about that, but the art that we do is more than that,” Said, Lovelyn Mendoza, the portrayer of Amara.
With social issues being tackled in various ways today to raise awareness and encourage critical thinking, it is essential that we take part in enriching the discourse, fostering understanding, and start taking part in the solution of these problems.
Pauline Ramos, the Company Manager of this year’s Virgin Labfest laboratory book, said “The Laboratory Festival serves as our creative space to explore different genres and ideas freely. I truly believe that this event will remain a cornerstone of our organization, fostering artistic expression and meaningful discourse for years to come,” as she expresses the profound purpose and vision behind the productions.
Art, not being merely eye candy, serves a far greater purpose that shapes perspectives, evokes emotions, sparks dialogue, and influences culture and society in meaningful ways.
The characters and roles presented gives us an embodiment of various social issues. For those who watch these plays, the impact lies in how they resonate with the themes, provoke thought, and inspire action that makes change in people’s lives.
“The plays opened my eyes to a lot of perspectives..I came to realize a lot of things about my future career as a film student.. By putting these issues in the spotlight, we are able to spread awareness and enlighten the audience," said Beatriz Medenilla, one of the audience members of the play.
As contributors to these social issues, people may be aware of them, but there is a difference in perspective between being a bystander and experiencing them as a victim.
However, being under the possession of art sure does create a lifetime change for those under the spell of it.
“Art is liberation. It is the one space where logic does not confine us, where emotions run wild without the need for justification.. that is its greatest power, offering a sanctuary where self-expression is limitless and unfiltered,” said, Kirsten Abutin
Teatro De Letran’s Laboratory Festival was not just a platform used to showcase the talent and abundance of the newly recruited teatristas, but also to harness the truth and inspire Letranistas.
It is when the time has changed that people make use of the limitless expression of creativity. No one can free all of the oppressed, but all are silent, watching, and listening to the voice of art.
Because in the end; art is the most beautiful lie we tell, so that we may see the truth.