Featured art by Bhernn Saenz. Images courtesy of Tanghalang Ateneo.
MANILA, Philippines — Areté, Ateneo de Manila University’s creativity and innovation hub, together with Tanghalang Ateneo, the university’s longest-running theater company, proudly restages “Sintang Dalisay”, the celebrated Filipino adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, which fuses the translation of National Artist Rolando S. Tinio and a 1904 poem by G.D. Roke. This adaptation is directed by the late Ricardo G. Abad with Guelan Varela-Luarca, celebrating the enduring legacy of Dr. Abad in Philippine theater.
Set in an imagined Muslim community in the Southern Philippines, “Sintang Dalisay” reimagines the timeless story of star-crossed lovers. Rashiddin and Jamila must navigate their secret love amidst the longstanding feud between their families, the Mustaphas and Kalimuddins. This adaptation combines Shakespeare’s tragedy with the Filipino spirit of festive love and enduring hope, brought to life through the Igal dance of the Sama-Bajau people and neo-ethnic and gamelan music.
Image courtesy of Tanghalang Ateneo.
This restaging is part of Tanghalang Ateneo’s “ELOQUENTIA, SAPIENTIA, HUMANITAS: The Ricky Season,” a tribute to the late theater veteran. Dr. Abad, who first directed the production in 2011. The following year, it earned ALIW Awards for Best Non-Musical Production and Best Direction For Non-Musical Production. In 2016, it won the Silver Medal for Production at the 3rd International Experimental Theater Festival in Vietnam.
The production’s music direction, helmed by Edru Abraham, Jayson “Dyandi” Gildore, and Aurea Dagnalan, also received acclaim. The production also boasts of the fantastic Southeast Asian-inspired design of National Artist Salvador Bernal.
This 2025 restaging goes beyond a performance but a tribute to Dr. Abad’s vision and his transformative contributions to Philippine theater, which continue to inspire generations.
Image courtesy of Tanghalang Ateneo.
Serving as the organization’s third offering this season, the production features the return of Maliana Beran and Karl Borromeo as the star-crossed lovers, Jamila at Rashiddin. Joining them are an ensemble of members, alumni, and professional theater artists Jerome Dawis, Fred Layno, James Reyes, Yani Lopez, Sophia Alba, Nicole Chua, Sachi Dris, Roldine Ebrada, Ian Beriña, Kaiser Cortina, Joaquin De Los Santos, Paul Felias, Philippe Reyes, Catherine Valentin, and Maxine Ventura.
“Sintang Dalisay” runs from February 14 – 23, 2025, with showtime at 2:00 PM on February 15, 16, 22, and 23 and 7:30 PM on February 14, 15, 21, 22, and 23.
Tickets are priced at Php 1,200.00 for the General Public and Php 600.00 for Ateneo de Manila University Community and faculty and students from our partnered schools for Orchestra seats. Balcony seats are available at Php 800.00 for the General Public and Php 600.00 for the Ateneo de Manila University Community and faculty and students from our partnered schools.
Image courtesy of Tanghalang Ateneo.
Artistic Team:
Ricardo G. Abad✝ and Guelan Varela-Luarca for Direction
Sabrina Basilio for Dramaturgy
Matthew Santamaria for Choreography and Associate Direction
Brian Sy for Fight Choreography and Assistant Choreography
Jayson “Dyandi” Gildore for Music Design
Edru Abraham for Music Consultation
Salvador Bernal✝ and Tata Tuviera for Production Design
D Cortezano for Lighting Design
John Robert Yam for Sound Design
Pat Ong for Photography
Zoe de Ocampo for Graphic Design
Official poster courtesy of Tanghalang Ateneo.
Tickets can be purchased online at bit.ly/ta46sdtickets. For more information about the show, follow Tanghalang Ateneo through the following platforms on Facebook and Instagram.
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