The upcoming production of Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (DUP) is a revival of UP Playwrights’ Theatre (renamed to DUP Playwrights now on its 29th Theatre Season): Ang Kaliitan ng Kasalukuyan, written and directed by Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature multi-awarded playwright and newly-appointed Artistic Director, Arlo Deguzman.
Written from a place of diasporic experience, Ang Kaliitan ng Kasalukuyan is a powerful contemporary work that tackles the emotional landscape of and an ode to present-day heroes: the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
These stories, embodied in movement and lyric, aim to negotiate the melancholically veiled struggles of an OFW: a father’s frustration from unending remittances, a mother seeking to make the sacrifice worthwhile, a sister negotiating the promise of separation, and a son bearing the silence of a deafening burden.
Industry professionals and students will work more closely with each other as alumni, returning and new guest artists lead the ensemble with Sandino Martin, Tess Jamias, Fermin Villegas, Sheryll Ceasico, Marichu Belarmino, Jojo Cayabyab, Hazel Maranan, Domileo Espejo, and Mitzie Lao. Current artist-scholars Kerr Allen, Angel Manansala, Raymond Aguilar, Julianne Quimio, Ralph Onrubia, Janae Delos Santos, and Cy Guerrero craft their own creative footprint alongside the professionals.
The artistic team is likewise a team of alumni, previous guest artists, and artists-in-training — from freshmen to graduating students.
Joining Arlo Deguzman are Angel Dayao for Music Direction and Sound Design — together with Neil Shane Alcain and Jisu Jang; siglo for Puppetry Design, Jonas Gabriel Garcia for Dramaturgy, Kirby Dunnzell as Movement Collaborator, Dan Wesley as Associate Movement Collaborator, Aaron Misayah leading the Scenic Design, Tilda Oreta for Costume Design, Third Salamat for Lighting Design, and Jada Bartolome for Projection Design.
LEADS
ENSEMBLE
The production will run from March 12 to March 29, 2026 at the IBG-KAL Theater, UP Diliman; Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30PM, and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30PM and 7:30PM.
Tickets are available via Ticket2Me.net and direct purchase (https://bit.ly/AKKDirectPurchaseForm) with the following prices:
- 1,000 PHP: Regular Price
- 800 PHP: PWD / Senior Citizens / Non-UP Students
- 700 PHP: for OFWs—current and former, ticket is transferable; available via direct purchase
- 650 PHP: UP Community (Students and Employees): Friday–Sunday shows; available via direct purchase
- 550 PHP: UP Community (Students and Employees): Thursday shows; available via direct purchase
Note that discounts/promos are not stackable on each other.
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Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas has been a home for Filipino theatre talent to flourish for almost 5 decades since its founding by National Artist for Theatre Tony Mabesa. — Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (with contributions by Lora Kate Batomalaque)
 is a revival of UP Playwrights’ Theatre (renamed to DUP Playwrights now on its 29th Theatre Season): Ang Kaliitan ng Kasalukuyan, written and directed by Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature multi-awarded playwright and newly-appointed Artistic Director, Arlo Deguzman.){kind=link}