MAPANAKIT – Mga Dulang Bittersweet Set to Open on July 25
Biñan’s YPC Stage proudly brings to UP Diliman its first-ever homegrown theatre production Mapanakit! Mga Dulang Bittersweetto be staged outside city borders—a significant milestone in the regional arts landscape.
Quezon City, Philippines — YPC Stage invites you to the highly anticipated maiden presentation of their locally acclaimed production Mapanakit! Mga Dulang Bittersweet at the KAL-IBG Theater in UP Diliman starting this July 25, 2026.
(View Show Dates and Times at the End of Article)
Directed by BJ Borja, the show celebrates community-rooted storytelling, making it accessible to a diverse range of audiences nationwide. Director BJ’s expertise in professional staging discipline creates an artistically compelling atmosphere allowing the stories to fully come to life. Featuring a dynamic collaboration between new generation performers and critically acclaimed household names in Philippine theater, the show brings a synergy of fresh talent and seasoned performances to give audiences an exceptional viewing experience.
With the writing genius of acclaimed playwright Eljay Castro Deldoc, these ‘three one-act plays’ explore deeply human themes told through intimate performances, poetic dialogue, and emotionally grounded storytelling that audiences can truly resonate with. At its core, Mapanakit reflects the Filipino experience of heartbreak, longing, healing, and hope — allowing audiences to see themselves on stage.
Mapanakit! Mga Dulang Bittersweet features:
1 . ANG LIKNAYAN NG ATING MGA KATAWAN
Photo: YPC Stage
Starring: Ross Pesigan as Sir Banakon; Jury Sanchez as Hershey Mae
OFFICIAL PREMISE: Hershey Mae sneaks into the school’s chemistry lab under the pretense of conducting an experiment, but she is really there to confront her teacher, Sir Banakon. He has rejected her controversial research paper, arguing that its methods and conclusions are unscientific and dangerous. The paper has already stirred chaos in the school, as several students took its claims seriously—leading to a suicide attempt, a viral fight, and a missing student.
Sir Banakon believes the study must be dismissed before more harm is done. But Hershey Mae insists that her research is grounded in real observation and experience. What she is trying to prove, above all, is that some truths—especially about love—cannot simply be invalidated.
2 . ILIHAN AT KALINGAW
Photo: YBC Stage
Starring: Gab Pangilinan as Ilihan; Euden Moje as Kalingaw
OFFICIAL PREMISE: In a mythical realm, Ilihan, the poet-historian of the Buringkantada tribe, is tasked with recording the stories their elders deem worthy of memory.
When the council discovers she has secretly written love poems for Kalingaw—a man she is forbidden to love—she is summoned to face punishment. Kalingaw urges her to flee before it is too late, but Ilihan refuses. She believes love, too, deserves a place in their history. By standing by her words, Ilihan challenges the tribe’s rules about what can be remembered—and risks paying the price for a love story they refuse to acknowledge.
3 . GANITO ANG PINANGARAP KONG KASAL
Photo: YPC Stage
Starring: Kokoy de Santos as Noel; Phi Palmos as France; Loudette Barias as Kris
OFFICIAL PREMISE: France and Noel have been a couple since college, keeping their relationship quiet while maintaining the appearance of normalcy around others. Their closest friend, Kris, has long been their confidante and constant third wheel, witnessing the sweetness and intimacy of their private love story. For years, the three navigate life together while carefully protecting the secret. The balance begins to break when one of them decides to follow society’s expectations of masculinity and a conventional life. His choice forces the friends to confront what they have built—and what they may lose. The decision puts their loyalty, love, and friendship to the test.
YPC STAGE COMPANY PROFILE
YPC Stage is the professional performance and touring arm of the Biñan Youth Performance Council Inc.(YPC) – a platform designed to bring its community-rooted theater practice to larger stages and wider audiences. Mapanakit is YPC Stage’s maiden production.
Built on two decades of cultural work, youth formation, and socially engaged storytelling, YPC Stage produces and presents works that uphold professional standards while remaining deeply anchored in lived realities. Its productions are artistically rigorous, emotionally truthful, and socially resonant.
Serving as a bridge between grassroots practice and institutional venues, YPC Stage allows YPC to engage commercially, collaborate across sectors, and expand its reach without compromising its core values. Through this platform, the company demonstrates that theater shaped by community experience is not peripheral – it is powerful, relevant, and ready for Metro Manila and beyond.
YPC Stage proves that excellence and community are not opposing forces. They are, in fact, inseparable.
CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM
Cast:
Ang Liknayan ng ating mga Katawan
Ross Pesigan – Sir Banakon
Jury Sanchez – Hershey Mae
Ilihan at Kalingaw
Gab Pangilinan – Ilihan
Euden Moje – Kalingaw
Ganito ang Pinangarap kong Kasal
Kokoy de Santos – Noel
Phi Palmos – France
Loudette Barias – Kris
Artistic Team:
Playwright – Eljay Castro Deldoc
Director – BJ Borja
Production Designer – Carlo Pagunaling
Lights Designer – Gabo Tolentino
Sound Designer – Arkel Mendoza
Creative Director – Carlo Cannu
Production Team:
Production Manager – Baha Vergara
Technical Director – John Paul De Paz
Stage Manager Head – Kent Torres
Stage Managers – Sydney Ray Almarinez, Marlou Navia, Ryza Karunungan
Lights Boardman – Ronquillo Rubio
Sounds Boardman – Jessa De Dios
Production Staff/ Ensemble:
Rijs Dale
Jenver Mallete
Rozel Aniceta
Danica Samson
Sheena Gonzales
Joy Angeline Orzo
Jamir Alzate
Rinoa Lockhart
Executive Team:
Executive Producer – Sigrid Carreon
Head of Promotions – Charles De Castro
Head of Marketing – Leobhel Cueto
Head of Finance – Assiel Brusola
Head of Communications – Fred Alipala
VENUE, RUNNING DATES, TIME, AND TICKET INFO:
Venue: IBG-KAL Theater, UP Diliman, Quezon City
Running dates:
July 25, 26, August 1, 2, 8, 9 | 2PM & 7PM
August 7 GALA SHOW | 7PM
Tickets:
Get your tickets now at ticket2me.net/mapanakit!
For interested showbuyers and sponsors, you may contact 0917-8700496.
For more details about the show, visit ypcstage.com/mapanakit
Facebook Page: YPC Stage
Instagram Page:@ypcstage
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