“Uwahig,” a deconstruction of the Indarapatra and Sulaiman epic and the Bukidnon flood myth, highlights the National Heritage Month and International Museum Day at the Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City.
This multi-media production by IPAG playwright Steven Patrick C. Fernandez premiered to acclaim at the UNESCO International Theatre Institute Festival at the Cultural Center in 2006and the 2007 Taipei International Arts Festival in Taiwan.
Plans are underway for “Uwahig” to represent the country in other theatre festivals around the world.
The play, produced in a “post-modern” style in the IPAG’s signature idioms of dance, theatre, and music, was developed in collaboration with artists based in Mindanao. Geejay Ariola and the Mebuyan Peace Project, an all-women alternative ensemble of music-theatre artists, composed and recorded the music. Sets were designed by Davao-based Boots Dumlao and Vicmar Paloma.
Choreography is facilitated by Felimon Blanco, recently arrived from performances in Singapore, and veteran international artists Melvin Pascubillo, Leilani Fernandez, Kenn Erwin Velasquez, Hobart Savior, and Wenna Balaido-Damulo.
Joining the company are resident artists Juvy Pelos, Cherry Mae Serion, Blesy Cece, and Ivan Eblamo.
Lilibeth Maraon is Stage Manager while Arlem Abanes is Production Manager.
“Uwahig” is presented by the Xavier Center for Culture and Arts under former MSU-IIT professor Savior. Showtime is 7:00 p.m. at the XU covered courts. Admission is free.