Bulan (Sandino Martin) has been working in Dubai for twenty years as a writer and director of government propaganda films. Bulan is already tired of doing this, and longed to return back to the Philippines to finally get to write about things that mean something to him. However, when he broached the topic, his parents (Fermin Villegas, Sheryll Ceasico) would guilt trip him, even though he had already given them a house and a business.
The first act was about Bulan's latest trip back to the country when his parents brought him to their hometown in Nueva Vizcaya to visit relatives he had not seen in years. The highlight of this part was when an uncle brought Bulan to see the grave of his beloved Lola Saling (Marichu Belarmino). This brought him back to a childhood memory of a time he had spent together with her as she was preparing as Hermana Mayor of the Flores de Mayo.
The second act was about Bulan when he returned to back to Dubai, with his heart totally not into his work anymore. He went to visit his elder sister (Tess Jamias) who had also been working in Qatar a soft drink company for almost as long as he had already. When he told her his dilemma, she also revealed her own plans. Their conversation was blunt, direct and as honest as close siblings would discuss their problems. Full disclosures always hit hard.
The acting of lead actor Sandino Martin was all-out here, and his gruff voice and intense eye contact spoke of his passion. I have heard him sing in shows like "Manhid" (2015), "Changing Partners" (2016) and "Himala" (2018), so I was not surprised at his range, but the way he was able to pull through his songs here with a hoarse voice was quite impressive, especially Noel Cabangon's "Hanggang Mamatay" at the emotional climax.
The rest of the ensemble includes Jojo Cayabyab, Hazel Maranan, Domileo Espejo, and Mitzie Lao, along with current artist-scholars Kerr Allen, Angel Manansala, Raymond Aguilar, Julianne Quimio, Ralph Onrubia, Janae Delos Santos, and Cy Guerrero
Director Arlo Deguzman executed his play as a multi-media presentation. The stage was an all-white J-shaped structure, like a giant slide. The vertical part was used to project graphics and videos to define locations. Using puppetry was a stroke of genius, either the child Bulan in the Lola Saling scene, or the Arab boss in the Dubai video shoot scene. The exact meaning may not be so clear, but that literal deluge at the end was definitely a memorable finale.
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Dulaang UP's ANG KALIITAN NG KASALUKUYAN ran from March 12 to 29, 2026 at the IBG-KAL Theater in UP Diliman.
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