Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts
University of the Philippines Diliman
Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (DUP)
𝗪𝗛𝗢 𝗪𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗘
Established in 1976 by National Artist for Theatre Tony Mabesa, Dulaang UP is the production arm of UP's Speech Communication and Theatre Arts Programs. Our legacy lies in our history of staging Filipino masterpieces and world classics for Philippine audiences. Our theater isn't just a venue; it's a vibrant gathering place where diverse artists, enthusiasts, and audiences converge.
Theatre as empowerment:
Dulaang UP provides critical and innovative performances to a diverse audience. Our mission is to develop a dynamic, inclusive community where silenced voices are heard and stories of truth are told. We believe that theater should reflect and resonate with the diverse experiences of our Filipino audiences. At Dulaang UP, we see theatre as art and social practice through performances dedicated to questioning and challenging boundaries of theatremaking.
Theater as mentoring space:
We are a training ground for young talent, and a venue for new and published works. Our theater is a mentoring space where collaboration and critical thinking thrive. In our commitment to nurturing students as artist-leaders, we collaborate to bridge artists and audiences, and the academe and the industry.
OUR HISTORY
Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (Dulaang UP or DUP) is known for staging masterpieces of Philippine and world theatre to a Philippine audience. Founded in 1976 by National Artist Tony Mabesa, Dulaang UP supports the University’s academic theatre programs in the undergraduate and graduate levels, and works alongside the UP Playwrights’ Theatre (UPPT) and UP Dulaang Laboratoryo (Dulaang Lab). UP Playwrights’ Theatre was also established by Tony Mabesa in 1986 to showcase original Filipino plays, while UP Dulaang Laboratoryo focuses on student thesis productions and special projects, supervised by the theater faculty of the University of the Philippines.
DUP has been directed by notable figures including Tony Mabesa, Jonas Sebastian, Jorge Ledesma, Peter Kern, Anton Juan, Amiel Leonardia, Ogie Juliano, José Estrella, Dexter Santos, Tuxqs Rutaquio and Banaue Miclat-Janssen among others.
Its first season in 1976-1977 featured works such as Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio’s Ang Bundok. The company has staged over 180 plays, including adaptations of Shakespeare, Brecht, Ibsen, Chekhov, Moliere, Wilde, Williams, Miller, Lorca and Strindberg, alongside original Filipino works by National Artists Nick Joaquin and Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero. Other homegrown writers whose works have been staged by DUP include Severino Montano, Rody Vera, Anton Juan, Amelia Lapena-Bonifacio, Rene Villanueva, Butch Dalisay, Floy Quintos, and Chris Millado.
DUP has been recognized for its excellence by various institutions, including the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), and the Philippine LEAF Awards.
Notable alumni and collaborators include Shamaine Buencamino, Eugene Domingo, Irma Adlawan, Dennis Marasigan, Candy Pangilinan, Mario O’Hara, Cedrick Juan, JC Santos, Chito Roño, Joel Lamangan, Pen Medina, Loren Legarda, Malou de Guzman, Ces Quesada, Romnick Sarmenta, and National Artists Ishmael Bernal, Rolando Tinio, and Amelia Lapena-Bonifacio.
Much more veritable artists of the Philippine entertainment industry have performed in Dulaang UP’s performance spaces in the University which include the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theatre, Teatro Hermogenes Ylagan, and the IBG-KAL Theater. The artistic and administrative aspects of Dulaang UP are managed by full-time faculty members and staff of the Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts.
OUR 47TH THEATER SEASON: AMIHAN AT HABAGAT
Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (Dulaang UP) probes tensions in climate on its 47th Season. “Amihan at Habagat” looks into how Filipinos are at the center of sites of precarity: both in the political and ecological. Just like the amihan and the habagat, this season’s productions show the push and pull in the critical zones of the Philippines today. Presenting both tradition and innovation, this season introduces two banners under Dulaang UP: DUP Classics and DUP Innovate.
DUP CLASSICS: “NANAY BANGIS”
![[FINAL-APPROVED] NB teaser poster 2400x1256 1 v1.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8e00f1_29d712f8ed5c44a9935d346bd923e308~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_802,h_420,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/%5BFINAL-APPROVED%5D%20NB%20teaser%20poster%202400x1256%201%20v1.jpg)
TicketMelon: ticketmelon.com/dulaang-up/nanay-bangis
Direct Purchase: bit.ly/NanayBangisTickets
DUP Classics continues the legacy of Dulaang UP’s founder and National Artist for Theatre, Tony Mabesa by bringing Filipino masterpieces and world classics to Filipino audiences.
“Nanay Bangis,” an adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage and Her Children, opens the season on November 15, 2024. Directed by J. William Herbert Sigmund Go based on an adaptation by Rody Vera, the play is set against the backdrop of the Moro National Liberation Front’s conflict with the Philippine Army from 1971 to 1981. This period piece challenges the romanticized concept of war as an act of nationalism and valor. Rather, it reveals entangled narratives of survival that define the complexities of war.
DUP INNOVATE: “MGA ANAK NG UNOS”
DUP Innovate launches a program for incubating ideas that can be tried and tested on the Dulaang UP stage. Intended to allow theatremakers to iterate, evolve, and incubate new ideas, the season culminates with “Mga Anak ng Unos,” a twin bill of selected seedworks.
DUP MOBILE THEATRE
DUP Mobile Theatre seeks to engage communities and audiences beyond UP Diliman through pro-shot video screenings of previous Dulaang UP productions. Members of the cast and artistic team of each production are invited to engage in a talkback with partner organizations, UP constituent units, and other similar screening partners.
PAST PRODUCTIONS
Dulaang UP’s Orosman at Zafira (2010):
Dulaang UP’s Adarna (2013):
Dulaang UP’s Fuente Ovejuna (2019):
Dulaang UP’s Sidhi’t Silakbo (2023):
Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas
Palma Hall Pavillion 3, Roxas Ave, University of the Philippines Diliman
89818500 loc 2449
Facebook: facebook.com/DulaangUnibersidadNgPilipinas
Instagram: instagram.com/dulaang_up