UP Playwrights’ Theatre stages this October Professor Emeritus Leoncio P. Deriada’s (2016 Gawad sa CCP Para sa Sining in Literature) “Distrito De Molo” directed by Professor Emeritus Tony Mabesa (2016 Gawad sa CCP Para sa Sining in Theatre). The plays are set in Molo, one of the seven districts of Iloilo City. Molo was originally the Parian of Iloilo, the area where all Chinese residents must live.

The first play, Tres Hermanas de Molo, is set in the 50’s and revolves around the post-war lives of the wealthy Locsin sisters. All three are unmarried, and are each carrying a dark secret from their past.The second play, Atlas de Molo, set in contemporary time, is about Eric and Lorena Avanceña. The newlyweds return to their ancestral home. Atlas, the statue in their garden, comes to life and changes their lives forever. The last play, Venus de Molo, set in the 30’s, revolves around Don Guillermo Arroyo and his obsession with the statue of “Venus de Milo.” He employs the local sculptor, Crispino Marañon, to reproduce the statue but without compensation. Things turn around when Laonsena, a goddess, visits Marañon and reveals a shocking secret Don Guillermo.

The cast of Distrito De Molo includes homegrown artists and professional actors in the field of theatre. This includes Stella Cañete-Mendoza, Frances Makil-Ignacio, Adriana Agcaoili, Astarte Abraham, Dolly De Leon, Katte Sabatte, Ronnie Martinez, Flordeliz Salanga, Monette Flores, Carlo Cannu, Ron Biñas, Carlo Tarobal, Missy Maramara, Ian Ignacio, Leo Rialp, Jacques Borlaza, Arvin Trinidad, Brian Arda, Sue Prado, Liway Gabo, Chase Salazar, Neil Ryan Sese and Candy Pangilinan.

The artistic team includes Nick Deocampo (set design), Shax Siosoco (lights design), Eric Pineda (costume design), and Jethro Joaquin (sound design). This project between Professors Mabesa and Deriada runs from 12 – 30 October 2016, from Wednesdays to
Fridays at 7:00 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, 2nd Floor Palma Hall, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.