Gantimpala Theater stages "Kapulungan ng mga Diyos"

KAPULUNGAN NG MGA DIYOS is a musical based on “El Consejos Delos Dioses”, a play written in April of 1880 by the National Hero of The Philippines and great literary artist, Doctor Jose Rizal which won first prize in the contest by the Liceo Artistico de Manila, or Manila Art Institute. This musical is set in a fictional place called “Paraisong Kayumanggi” a paradise in a part of the heavens called “Kaluwalhatian”, were the powerful deities of the old literary world of the Philippines reside, deities that ruled the world of Philippine mythology and folktales during the pre-Spanish era. In the story the existence of these deities and all other creatures of the old literary world is being threatened by the birth of a new world, so Bathala together with his loyal messenger Tigmamanukin called a council composed of 4 other deities namely; Amihan the goddess of the wind, Diyan Masalanta the goddess of love, Bulan the goddess of the moon and her brother Apolaki the god of the sun to discuss and ensure that the old world of the Filipino literature prevails by immortalizing a book that carries the essence and principles of the old world by means of enthroning it at the tallest mountain in Kaluwalhatian called “Bundok Ng Buhay Na Walang Hanggan." This sparked an argument among the deities of the council, for each of them have varying and strong opinions as to which book deserves to be enthroned in the highest seat of honor at the “Bundok Ng Buhay Na Walang Hanggan”. Amihan felt that “Ibong Adarna” the book written by Jose Dela Cruz deserves to be enthroned, while Diyan Masalanta thinks that Florante at Laura written by Fransico Balagtas is a better choice, as for the siblings Bulan and Apolaki it is Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo (the 2 books written as a series by Gat. Jose Rizal) that deserve the seat of honor. To settle the argument, Bathala ordered Tigmamanukin to summon the spirit of Justice. He asked Justice to weigh the four books in her scale of truth and gave her the power and full authority to decide which book should be enthroned, then Justice upon weighing the four books declared that each book stands equally in her scale, for each book deserves to be enthroned in the highest seat of honor, each of them embodies the sentiments and essence of the old world. Therefore the four books were then enthroned by great council of the gods and the old world continues to exist through the lessons and principles embedded in the letters and pages of the four books. Kapulungan Ng Mga Diyos intends to open the eyes of its audience to the greatness of the four classic books included in the Philippines’ High School curriculum. Through funny scenes and light story telling, magical songs and entertaining dances the play intends to build interest among the youth and encourage them to read and enjoy the beauty of these four classics written by the greatest Filipino literary artists. The musical stars Heidi Arima (Amihan); Meliza Reyes (Diyan Masalanta); Bench Bautista (Bulan); Leo Ponseca (Tigmamanukin); Billy Parjan (Bathala); Xeno Alejandro (Apolaki); Pamela Hundana (Katarungan/Ibong Adarna): Raymond Talavera (Katarungan/Ibong Adarna); Ronald Concepcion (Tikbalang/Ibarra/Simoun); Francis Cruz III (Bangun-Bangun/Florante); Hazel Orencio (Inang Bayan/Lakamibini/Laura); Christian Parado (Halamista/Engkantado/Aladin); Gillyza Berdin (Hukluban/Engkantada/Flerida); Darby Dizon (Ermitanyo/Sultan Ali Adab/Pari); and John Paulo Garcia (Kapre/Adolfo/Militar). Direction and libretto by Jose Jeffrey Camañag. Lights design by Andy Villareal. Set Design by Marianne Sedotes. Choreography by Darby Dizon. Production Management by Alice Borbe. Stage Management by Glendel Dacumos. Artistic Director is Tony Espejo. KAPULUNGAN NG MGA DIYOS is a project of Gantimpala Theater in cooperation with the National Parks Development Committee. SHOW IS SLATED ON DECEMBER 30 (WEDNESDAY), 7PM at the OPEN AIR AUDITORIUM, LUNETA PARK. ADMISSION IS FREE!