Sunday, September 3, 2017

Joel Molina Leads as Ibarra for the 2017 Edition of Kanser (Capsule Review)

Text and Photos by Mark Anthony Cabrera




For the 40th Season of Gantimpala Theater Foundation, they open with Kanser: Noli Me Tangere, a beloved piece by our National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal. While it's a piece that’s written from a long time ago, cancer still exists in our society: in different forms and multitudes. It has been a problem we’ve faced for the longest time and the play is a reminder that we have to act upon it to have achieve the progress we’ve been yearning to have.

Gantimpala Theater foundation takes us back to the life of Crisostomo Ibarra (Joel Molina) as he comes back to the Philippines to use whatever he had learned in Europe and apply it to our country. It also tackles the life of Maria Clara, (Dea Formacil), the daughter of a priest , Padre Damaso ( Francis Matheu). Elias (Paul Jake Paule) is also a pivotal character in making Ibarra realize the cancer that had plagued his beloved country. Will love ever survive this quest for power and  justice? Will we get through this cancer that is still apparent up to this day? Will we let the wrongdoers get the most of us?



I personally loved how this play has evolved throughout the years. The artistic use of light and stage design has definitely caught the audience’s attention and elicited cheers for the entire cast  for doing their assignment well. The transitions were lovely, from how the setup was done from one act to other. The use of good music was also apparent and some of the actors had the opportunity to actually sing some songs for the production. I loved how they tackle the role of Sisa and the rest of the ensemble were also great too.

The show;s divided into two acts parts with a 10-minute intermission.The use of symbolism has been maximized and to showcase this to an audience so young without alienating them is definitely worth noting.

Joining the rest of the cast are as supporting characters Aldrin Angeles(Padre Salvi) , Edwin Domino (Kapt. Tiyago), Arvy Viduya (Basilio) JM Tecson(Crispin) Pat Gajes (Donya Victorina), Vangie Inocencio (Tiya Isabel) Shasha Rivera (Sisa) and Abel Napuran (Pilosopo Tasyo).




Directed by Frannie Zamora with production design by Joey de Guzman, stage management by Matthew Manalaysay, lights by Joseph Matheu, and choreography by Lezlie Dailizan, Kanser 2017 has shows  at SM Manila Cinema 9 on Sept. 8 (Friday) 9am/12pm/3pm ; SM Southmall Cinema 3 on Sept 15, 2017 11am/2pm , Sept 29-30 the AFP Theater Camp Aguinaldo 9am/12pm/3pm, SM Manila Cinema 9 on October 6, 2017 (Fri) 9am/12noon and 3pm and at SM Southmall Cinema 3 October 13, (Friday) 11am/2pm.

For ticket inquiries, you may contact the Gantimpala Marketing office at 0921-2513733/or call 998-5622 or 872-0261. 



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