Dulaang UP’s 49th Theatre Season Invites Families to Rediscover Rizal Through the Stage

For parents raising curious, compassionate, and culturally aware children, Dulaang UP’s 49th theatre season offers more than entertainment—it brings Philippine history to life through unforgettable theatre.

If your family loved epic productions like Les Misérables for their stirring themes of sacrifice, justice, and hope, Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (Dulaang UP) is offering a distinctly Filipino theatrical experience worth adding to your calendar.

Celebrating its 49th Theatre Season alongside its 50th founding anniversary, Dulaang UP unveils a season centered on the question “Paano Umalala nang may Pag-alaga?” (“How do we remember with care?”). Inspired by Dr. José Rizal’s enduring legacy and commemorating the 130th anniversary of his death, the season transforms two of the country’s most influential literary works into compelling stage productions that encourage audiences to reflect on history, identity, and nationhood.

Running from October 2026 through March 2027 at the IBG-KAL Theatre in UP Diliman, the season features Fiestas y Muertos, a reimagining of Noli Me Tángere, followed by Nitrogliserina, a bold new work inspired by El Filibusterismo.

Theme: “Paano Umalala nang may Pag-alaga?”

In an age where misinformation and historical distortion are increasingly common, Dulaang UP asks a timely question: How can we preserve collective memory with care?

Rather than treating history as something confined to textbooks, the company turns the stage into what it calls a “living archive.” Through theatre, audiences witness history unfold emotionally and physically, encouraging conversations that continue long after the curtain falls.

The season opens with Fiestas y Muertos, directed by José Estrella and based on the Filipino translation of Noli Me Tángere by National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario. The production contrasts the spectacle of joyous fiestas with the hidden suffering beneath colonial society, reminding audiences that celebration can sometimes mask injustice.

Later in the season, acclaimed director Dexter M. Santos presents Nitrogliserina, a new play by Guelan Varela-Luarca inspired by El Filibusterismo. Instead of simply adapting Rizal’s novel, the production imagines what happens after revolution, exploring difficult questions about rebuilding a nation and the cost of lasting change.

Together, both productions revisit Rizal’s timeless ideas on corruption, abuse of power, civic responsibility, and the importance of education—issues that remain deeply relevant today.

Inspiring A Love For Country in Families

For parents, theatre offers something that books and films cannot fully replicate: the shared experience of witnessing stories unfold in real time.

Watching Rizal’s characters struggle with injustice, courage, and hope allows children and teenagers to connect emotionally with Philippine history. The conversations that follow can help young audiences better understand why historical memory matters and why citizenship requires both empathy and critical thinking.

Families already drawn to large-scale historical productions like Les Misérables may find a similar emotional depth in Dulaang UP’s upcoming season—only this time, the story is unmistakably Filipino.

Whether you’re introducing children to live theatre for the first time or nurturing a growing appreciation for local performing arts, Dulaang UP’s milestone season promises an enriching cultural experience that celebrates both artistic excellence and love of country.

Performances of Fiestas y Muertos run from October to November 2026, while Nitrogliserina takes the stage from February to March 2027 at the IBG-KAL Theatre, UP Diliman. Ticketing details will be announced through Dulaang UP’s official channels.

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