PH Consulate General in Sydney Joins Filipino Community in Lauding Successful Staging of “Cabesang Tales”
Filipino-Australian actor Felino Dolloso as “Cabesang Tales” defends himself in court against friars who want to grab his land in the play produced by the Order of the Knights of Rizal, penned by Prof. Floro Quibuyen and directed by Ferdinand Dimaano, staged at the Blacktown Arts Centre on 9 September 2017.
19 September 2017, Sydney –Consul Marford Angeles joined members of the Filipino-Australian community in the staging of the “Cabesang Tales and the Calamba Hacienda Case – The Untold Story” at the Blacktown Arts Centre on September 09, in Blacktown City, New South Wales, Australia.
“Cabesang Tales” is based on a script researched and written by Prof. Floro Quibuyen, historian, was directed by Mr. Ferdinand Dimaano of FiloArts Australia and produced by the Order of the Knights of Rizal (OKOR) Sydney Chapter Commander Danny Peralta, with OKOR Regional Commander Cesar Bartolome as Production Manager. The cast was led by Filipino-Australian actor Mr. Felino Dolloso as Tales with members of the Filipino community taking on various roles, including aspiring artists from among the youth.
The play dwelt on the parallels between the fictional Cabesang Tales and those affected by the historical Calamba hacienda case and subsequent evictions which planted the seeds that led to the Philippine Revolution of 1896-98 against the Spanish colonizers. Prof. Quibuyen, in his lecture exposition following the play, expounded on the historical circumstances surrounding Calamba hacienda case and how the issues then affected and shaped Philippine social and economic development.
In his message, the Hon. David Clarke, Parliamentary Secretary for Justice and Member of the New South Wales (NSW) Parliament, representing NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, extolled the vritues of the Filipino people who valiantly fought for freedom against the colonizers, and continues to make their country proud wherever they are in the world.
Consul Marford Angeles thanked the Order of the Knights of Rizal for bringing to life a part of Dr. Jose Rizal’s novel, “El Filibusterismo” through the wonderful production which perfectly showcased Filipino-Australian talent, through the writer, actors and production staff, and highlighted the brilliance of the national hero’s work. He also encouraged the Filipino-Australian community of NSW to do their part continuing the work started by Rizal and other heroes, by doing their best in their chosen careers in their adopted land thus bringing glory to the country, and in helping build the nation.
The audience, which included Filipino community leaders and members, some from outside New South Wales, rose to a standing ovation at the end of the play to recognize the wonderful performances and the excellent production. The following lecture by Dr. Quibuyen was also marked by keen and thoughtful exchanges with the members of the audience.
Following the successful production of the play, OKOR is contemplating a restaging of it, while a sequel is in the works, as per Prof. Quibuyen. END
For more information, visit www.sydneypcg.dfa.gov.ph
Left photo: The Hon. David Clarke, Parliamentary Secretary for Justice and Member of the New South Wales (NSW) Parliament, praising the wonderful performances and lessons from history bought by the play, “Cabesang Tales” Right photo: Consul Marford Angeles (2nd from right), Order of the Knights of Rizal Sydney Chapter Commander and “Cabesang Tales” producer Danny Peralta (rightmost), playwright Prof. Floro Quibuyen (3rd from right), play director Ferdinand Dimaano (3rd from left), former OKOR Regional Commander Philip Ranoso (2nd from left) and OKOR member and artist/actor Jade Cadelina (leftmost).