Featured image courtesy of FEU Theater Guild.
MANILA, Philippines — Marking its 92nd season, the Far Eastern University Theater Guild (FTG) presents “Bangaw”, a Filipino play with music adapted from William Golding’s classic story, Lord of the Flies.
Written by Gold Villar-Lim, with music by Vince Lim, and directed by PETA Senior Artist-Teacher and FTG Artistic Director Dudz Teraña, the production explores the meaning of survival through a distinctly Filipino lens.
“Bangaw” is a bold theatrical experience that follows a group of students forced into isolation as they navigate authority and belonging within a fragile, self-made community. Rooted in contemporary cultural and political realities, the production interrogates leadership and identity in a society shaped by the consequences of the present. In an ensemble-driven performance, the play becomes a reflection on what it means to inherit a fractured world—and the responsibility that comes with shaping what follows.
(L-R) Ensemble featuring Marc Ducut, Kevin Ricaforte, Jharelle Villalobos, Edrud Madalan, Lorenze Moral, Renz Dotillos, Sam Siasoyco, Shawn Tarala, Dave Bambang. Image courtesy of FEU Theater Guild.
Set on a remote island in Visayas, “Bangaw” follows a group of high school students from different schools who end up stranded after a plane crash. With no adults, no government, and no rules, an attempt to reconstruct order quickly unravels. What begins as a mission of survival is disrupted by a growing fascination with hunting and the belief that a monster lurks in the forest.
The group fractures further after a boar is killed and its head transformed into an idol—the “Lord of the Flies”. A hallucination is mistaken as proof of the monster’s existence, then sparking a killing frenzy that claims two lives and brings their fragile civilization to brutal collapse.
At the center of the production is Raf (Sam Siasoyco IAS ‘29), whose attempt to uphold order becomes a fragile anchor amid growing unrest. Opposing him is Jack (Aldin Covarrubias ITHM ‘28, Dave Bambang IARFA ‘29), whose descent into dominance and violence drives the group apart.
Caught between reason and survival are the twins Sam (Dianne Andallo ITHM ‘26, Trisha Nilayan IAS ‘29) and Erich (Maria Ysabel delos Reyes IAS ‘27, Althea Sibulo FIT ‘27), while Simone (Heleina Li IAS ‘26, Julia Nicole Ramas FIT ‘26) emerges as a quiet moral compass.
Adding complexity is Tabeks (Jharelle Villalobos IAS ‘27, Edrud Madalan FIT ‘27), who challenges rigid hierarchies, while the younger children—Tiny (Marjorie Uson IAS ‘27, Francine Galvez IAS ‘28), Matty (Melenne Hokase IAS ‘28, Margarita Barrameda IAS ‘26), and Caleb (Julian Rafael Anabo IAS ‘27, Lorenze Moral IAS ‘26)—align with Raf, embodying innocence and vulnerability amid chaos.
(L-R) Ensemble featuring Althea Sibulo, Ayessa Raymundo, Janae Dionisio, Charlene Libo-on, Francine Galvez, Dianne Andallo, Trisha Nilayan. Image courtesy of FEU Theater Guild.
Supporting Jack are Apple (Janae Dionisio IAS ‘28, Ayessa Raymundo IAS ‘28), Pat (Bjorn Pestaño IAS ‘26, Charlene Libo-on IAS ‘28), Phil (Zoe Sisam IAS ‘29, Shekinah Resurreccion FIT ‘27), Robert (Justin Abalos IAS ‘28, Renz Dotillos IAS ‘26), Morris (Kevin Ricaforte IAS ‘28, Miguel Galpo IAS ‘28), and Roger (Shawn Tarala IAS ‘27, Kirstan Orbegoso IAS ‘27), forming a choir-like faction that amplifies tension.
The ensemble is rounded out by Marc Ducut IAS ‘27, Kristian Samson IAS ‘26, Johann Umali IAS ‘29, John Andrei Cruz IAS ‘29, and Cris Jay Cabides IAS ‘29. Hovering over the narrative is the haunting Panginoong Bangaw, while the Piloto will be alternately portrayed by Aldin Covarrubias and Dave Bambang. Parachutists serve as distant echoes of the adult world left behind.
Image courtesy of FEU Theater Guild.
Layered with original music by Villar-Lim, and additional songs by Teraña, “Bangaw” blends symbolic movement and raw emotional expression with rhythmic, realistic storytelling. Traditional and modern Filipino soundscapes pulse throughout the production, serving as both atmosphere and metaphor for a nation caught between collapse and renewal.
Beyond performance, the production confronts pressing societal concerns—division, abuse of power, systemic failure, moral decay, and patriarchy—while foregrounding enduring Filipino values such as bayanihan, resilience, and strategic intelligence, resulting in a theatrical experience that challenges perspectives, provokes dialogue, and invites audiences to reflect on the kind of future being shaped today.
Image courtesy of FEU Theater Guild.
Founded in 1934, the Far Eastern University Theater Guild (FTG) is one of the oldest student theater organizations in the country. Known for bold, socially relevant productions and a strong commitment to telling Filipino stories and reimagining theater as a space for truth, provocation, and community, all while nurturing new talent.
Through its innovative stagings, immersive audience experiences, and fearless storytelling, the FTG continues to evolve the language of campus-based performance. At present, it is under the artistic direction of PETA Senior Artist-Teacher Dudz Teraña.
“Bangaw” promises a gripping theatrical experience that merges powerful storytelling, music, and movement to challenge perspectives, provoke dialogue, and immerse audiences in a uniquely Filipino exploration of survival, morality, and the consequences of human choices.
The production is now running at the FEU Center for the Arts Studio until April with the following show schedules: March 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 and on April 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25.
The house will open at 6 PM and the show will start at 6:30 PM. Ticket Prices are as follows: ₱100 – Students from FEU (all branches); ₱200 – Students from outside FEU Manila; ₱500 – Regular Guests, and ₱700 – VIP.
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