Lui CarungayTreat Yourself to an Exciting Ethno-epic Musical this Christmas Season
Most of us aren’t new to the oldest recorded Ilocano folk epic of Luzon, “Biag ni Lam-ang”, it’s been taught to us as part of our Philippine literature learning, but in this production by Tanghalang Pilipino, the Epic Poem is breathed a new lease of life. The Epic follows the adventures of Lam-ang, a valiant warrior, who had not only bravely protected his community, but had avenged his father’s unjust death, and had conquered neighboring villages, as well. But heightened in Tanghalang Pilipino’s staging of the Ethno Epic musical, is not Lam-ang’s frightening heroics, such as to conquer, loot, and kill, but instead, it highlighted the other important qualities which make a great ruler. It stressed that to be a great Lakay or leader, one should be willing to put down his sword as a sign of peace and bring together nations.
Image Source : Tanghalang Pilipino
JC Santos as Lam-Ang
Spearheading the musical is household name and the face of various block-buster movies, JC Santos. After his three-year hiatus from theater plays, the Dulaang UP alumna rose to the occasion when Tanghalang Pilipino started auditioning talented, multi-faceted actors to play the Ilocano hero, Lam-ang. With Lam-ang being his first theater role in three years and his first lead role in a musical play, the talented actor has not only worked hard in channeling his inner Ilocano warrior, but he has also delivered some powerful vocal prowess, which when combined with his dynamic sword fighting/dance scenes, really solidified his presence as Lam-ang.
Image Source : Tanghalang Pilipino
Anna Luna as Kannoyan
Every hero needs a beautiful damsel, and for Lam-ang, there is Kannoyan. Portraying the beautiful and the powerful Kannoyan, matching Lam-ang’s courage and laudable fighting skills, and the ideal match to actor JC Santos’ praiseworthy vocals and acting is the uber-talented actress, Anna Luna. Kannoyan isn’t just like any other miss, if anything, she is a woman of her own. An heir to the throne and endowed with wondrous and alluring beauty, Kannoyan has drawn to herself numerous suitors from all over the world, but head strong as she is, her eyes are only set to see her village, and her heart only feels to protect her people. Most like the women of today, Kannoyan is a free-spirit, putting mind over heart and carefully scrutinizing every suitor brave enough to ask for her hand.
Triple Threat Ensemble
Bringing the Epic poem to life are Tanghalang Pilipino’s most esteemed creatives and actors. It is directed by Fitz Edward Torres Bitana and Marco Viana (who also took charge of set design). Also joining the talented line up of actors are Lance Reblando, Ybes Bagadiong, Jonathan Tadioan, Lhorvie Nuevo, Antonette Go, Alvin Magahanoy, Reflesia Bravo, Hazel Maranan, Paw Castillo, Francis Gatmayan, Joshua Cabiladas, Tex Ordonez-de Leon, Gry Gimena, JV Ibesate, Rapah Manalo, Miah Canton, VJ Cortel, Alys Serdenia, and Gabo Tolentino.
Tanghalang Pilipino’s ‘Lam-ang’ runs from December 6, 2019 to December 15, 2019 at the Little Theater in the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Image Source : Tanghalang Pilipino
