The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in partnership with MINT College and Kids Acts Philippines Inc., presents the Grand Winner of the Season 1 Young Creative Challenge Playwriting Category entitled “Ang Pagbuo ng Baliana” written by Esmeralda Cado Albis.
The musical is brought to life on stage by the country’s award-winning directors, with original music by Eugene Belbis and stage direction by Luigi Nacario and Meldrig Costuna.
The play showcases the uniqueness and importance of the Gulangulang observance, revealing the enchanting tradition and culture of celebrating the faith of the people of Camarines Sur in the Bicol Region through a pious enactment of a century-old religious rite that is still alive and quietly practiced in Sitio Baras, Malitbog, the town of Minalabac.
Ang Pagbuo ng Baliana is a musical play that embraces the unity of different worlds: that of humans, the ethereal plane, and the Heavens, with the existence of crossing over to connect and interact with loved ones who have passed on.
This is a form of mystical communication of compassion, where love binds a promise of eternal union that even death can never part.
Be enthralled by the poetry and rhythm of the Bicolano texts orchestrated by the Filipino famous folksongs, with the original composition of the written lyrics of the writer, and the portrayal of the country’s seasoned actors, featuring the rising P-pop star Joshua Ryan Nubla as the leading male role, Arnold, together with Danielle Delica as Esmeralda, Ces Dela Cruz-Guevara, Terence Guillermo, Rowel Robles, Zee Rizon, Rhoger Escorial, Josh Almeda, Ariz Pangilinan, Nina Ty, Ji Corpuz, Maxinne Lopez, Paulo Javier, Jesu Miguel Tan, Marcus Santos, Audrey Flores, Yassi Tan, Cheska Sangco, Bien Juni, and Chelsea Sangco.
Esmeralda Cado Albis, Playwright, Ang Pagbuo ng BalianaJoshua Ryan Nubla as Arnold
