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Mapanakit

Jude Cartalaba

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17842808229292-Composite straight 20.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Handout</div>YPC Stage is bringing “Mapanakit! Mga Dulang Bittersweet” beyond Biñan, Laguna, marking a milestone for the community theater company as it stages its first major production outside its home city.Written by Eljay Castro Deldoc and directed by BJ Borja, the play follows a successful community run in December 2025 and represents its transition from a local production to a touring-ready show.“Mapanakit!”, to be staged at the University of the Philippines’ Diliman campus, also pairs emerging actors from YPC Stage with established performers Gab Pangilinan, Kokoy de Santos, Phi Palmos and Ross Pesigan, creating a cast that spans both community and professional theater.Asked about the process behind selecting these specific plays and pitching this unique cross-over collaboration, director Borja shared: &quot;I’ve always admired Eljay’s writing because it’s deeply Filipino. His stories are funny, painful, familiar, and profoundly human — the kind of stories that stay with you long after the curtain falls. ‘Mapanakit!’ felt like the perfect material to launch YPC Stage because it speaks to audiences regardless of age or background.“As for the casting, I didn’t want to create two separate worlds of professionals and community artists. I wanted one cohesive ensemble where everyone learns from each other. Our seasoned actors bring experience, discipline, and generosity, while our homegrown talents bring honesty, hunger, and fresh energy.“When I invited everyone, that was exactly the vision I shared: this wasn’t about hierarchy, it was about collaboration. At the end of the day, we are all storytellers serving the same play. Plus, on a personal level, the invited actors and artistic team already know YPC and the work we do in Biñan. I chose those whom I consider to be true &#x27;friends of YPC.&#x27;&quot;<div> </div><div>Trilogy of heartbreak and shared truths</div>“Mapanakit!” is a collection of three one-act plays that present deeply human stories through intimate performances, poetic dialogue, and emotionally grounded storytelling. At its core, the production reflects universal human experiences — heartbreak, longing, healing, and hope.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784280528408Cast.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>The cast of &#x27;Mapanakit.&#x27; Handout</div>“Ang Liknayan ng Ating mga Katawan” stars Ross Pesigan (Sir Banakon) and Jury Sanchez (Hershey Mae). In the story, Hershey Mae sneaks into her school’s chemistry lab to confront her teacher, Sir Banakon, who has rejected her controversial research paper as unscientific and dangerous. While her study has already sparked chaos across the campus, Hershey Mae insists her findings are grounded in real experience, determined to prove that some truths — especially about love — cannot simply be invalidated.The second play, “Ilihan at Kalingaw,” features Gab Pangilinan (Ilihan) and Euden Moje (Kalingaw). It is set in a mythical realm, Ilihan, the poet-historian of the Buringkantada tribe, faces severe punishment after the council discovers she has secretly written love poems for Kalingaw — a man she is forbidden to love. Refusing to flee, Ilihan stands by her words, challenging the tribe’s rules about what deserves to be recorded in history and risking everything for a love story they refuse to acknowledge.The last one is “Ganito ang Pinangarap Kong Kasal,” which brings together Kokoy de Santos (Noel), Phi Palmos (France), and Loudette Barias (Kris). It revolves around France and Noel, who have quietly maintained their relationship since college, with their closest friend, Kris, acting as their confidante and constant third wheel. Their carefully protected balance begins to fracture when one of them decides to conform to society’s conventional expectations of life and masculinity, forcing the trio to confront what they stand to lose.<div> </div><div>Why the mainstream cast said yes</div>As “Mapanakit!: makes the transition from a community production in Biñan to a major Metro Manila run, ABS-CBN News asked its professional cast members what drew them to the project.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784280697427IMG_4219 copy.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>(Clockwise from top left) Ross Pesigan, Kokoy de Santos, Phi Palmos and Gab Pangilinan. Handout</div>&quot;When I was invited to join the play, I was drawn by the unique blend of professionals and YPC players in the cast. As an aspiring mentor in acting, this project offered a chance not only to train the players but also to share my knowledge with the next generation of actors. Being part of this production is truly an honor and a privilege,” Pesigan said.Pangilinan, on the other hand, noted that while the theater scene in Metro Manila has been thriving these past few years, “there have been very few chances to bridge connections between the Manila theater scene and regional community theater due to a lack of financial support and capacity.” “I was excited about this initiative because if there was a chance for more of us to contribute to the growth of community theaters, we would do it!” she said.“Working with YPC Stage and Team Mapanakit! is a wonderful chance to learn from and work with practitioners outside Manila. For their community, it&#x27;s a chance to be exposed to the Manila theater scene. It&#x27;s a reminder that may espasyo para sa lahat (there is space for everyone) when there is the right support.&quot;De Santos, who recently made his theater debut in November 2025 in Vincent de Jesus&#x27; “Ateng,” said he was intrigued by the story. &quot;Sobrang totoo niya and ang daming makaka-relate. Natuwa rin ako na galing siya sa isang intimate production tapos ngayon mas marami nang makakapanood. Ang sarap maging part ng project na may puso at may chance na makaabot sa mas maraming tao,” he said.His co-star Palmos added, &quot;That very idea is the reason why I said yes. Actually, I had decided to take a break from theater projects this year to focus on teaching. But when this project was presented to me, I knew I had to say yes. It was a quick yes!“Having worked with grassroots communities in the past, the arts community in Biñan — especially YPC —i s very close to my heart. YPC is really at the heart of the arts and culture movement in Biñan. They are a very talented bunch of young artists, and I can&#x27;t wait for the Manila audience to experience them.&quot;<div> </div><div>20 years of building stages</div>YPC was founded in 2005 out of a simple realization: Biñan&#x27;s young people had talent, but not always a stage on which to showcase it.&quot;I was still a student then, and I wanted to create a space where theater wasn’t exclusive to those who could afford formal training or lived in Metro Manila,&quot; recalled Borja. &quot;YPC was built alongside fellow young dreamers who believed that theater could change lives.“From the very beginning, our mission has remained the same — to use theater as a platform for artistic excellence, education, and community building. Twenty years later, I think that mission still defines who we are.&quot;For local creatives hoping to break into the industry, Borja has one piece of advice: Never think that where you come from limits where you can go.&quot;Keep training. Stay humble. Be dependable. Talent will open doors, but character will keep those doors open. And don’t wait for opportunities to come to you — create them. That’s exactly how YPC started 20 years ago. If YPC Stage proves anything, it’s that world-class talent exists in our communities. Sometimes, all it needs is someone willing to raise the curtain. We will always carry Biñan proudly wherever we go.&quot;Backing this powerhouse cast is an elite creative and production roster, including production design by Carlo Pagunaling, lighting design by Gabo Tolentino, sound design by Arkel Mendoza, and creative direction by Carlo Cannu. Production manager Baha Vergara and technical director John Paul De Paz lead the production team.Shows will be at the KAL-IBG Theater, UP Diliman, Quezon City, with show dates on July 25, 26, August 1, 2, 8, and 9 (2 p.m. and 7 p.m.), and a gala on August 7 at 7 p.m.Tickets are available <a href="http://ticket2me.net/mapanakit">online</a>.

YPC Stage is bringing “Mapanakit! Mga Dulang Bittersweet” beyond Biñan, Laguna, marking a milestone for the community theater company as it stages its first major production outside its home city.

YPC Stage is bringing “Mapanakit! Mga Dulang Bittersweet” beyond Biñan, Laguna, marking a milestone for the community theater company as it stages its first major production outside its home city.

From Biñan to Diliman, YPC Stage bridges grassroots, professional theater

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From Biñan to Diliman, YPC Stage bridges grassroots, professional theater

Jude Cartalaba

Published July 18, 2026 10:00 AM PHT

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