Teatro Tomasino
Encyclopedia
Teatro Tomasino is the university-wide theater guild of the University of Santo Tomas
in Manila, Philippines. It takes pride as the premier theater organization in the University. Currently on its 34th season, Teatro Tomasino continues to produce note-worthy plays in line with the University's Mission and Vision as well as provide Thomasians with a venue to train and have actual applications so as to educate and enhance their knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the art while instilling discipline, responsibility and respect which they share, in turn, to the whole Thomasian community.
Formal workshops started on April 2, 1977 under the watchful eyes of Maryo J. de los Reyes, Soxy Topacio, Jonee Gamboa, Nicanor Agudo, Sonia Roco, Adul de Leon, Sol Oca, Pilar de Gurman, Bernardo Bernardo and the late Lino Brocka. After which, the curtains opened for the first time with the performance of Orlando Nadres
' Ang Awit na Hindi Matapos-tapos under the direction of Maryo J. Delos Reyes.
Since then, Teatro Tomasino has never ceased in delivering the Thomasian community with works by some of the Philippines' well-respected playwrights, classical and contemporary Filipino pieces and even translated foreign classics.
Through the last 30 years, Teatro Tomasino's population has never declined. Every year, applicants come lining up for auditions in hopes of improving their skills and enhancing their talents. Alumni support is very strong as a number of them still render assistance and actively participate in the guild's activities.
Office is located in the new UST Tan-Yankee Student Center while productions are mostly held either at the Albertus Magnus Auditorium, Albertus Magnus Building or at the Rizal Conference Hall, St. Raymund de Peñafort Building.
, Philippine Educational Theater Association and Sinag Arts Foundation to name a few.
With the diversity of the members, they are distinguished through these different membership status:
Any currently-enrolled member can be elected into office. The Executive Board is made up of the following with their respective duties and obligations as per stated on the guild's constitution: Artistic Director
, Technical Director
, Business Director, Secretary
, Assistant Secretary
, Auditor, Marketing and Public Relations Officer, Asst. Marketing and Public Relations Officer, Alumni and Special Events Coordinator. Though due lack of candidates, some lower positions can be dropped while still maintaining the three Directors, a Secretary and an Auditor.
Honorary Members are primarily those who were able to serve the guild for at least four years, from their freshman year until graduation. But after some amendments on the constitution, it was extended to also cover alumni unable to complete four years of active residency and those who are no longer enrolled in the university. Most of the time, they assist the guild in the creative and artistic aspects of the production like directing, designing and even performing on stage as they are the most experienced in the guild.
Old Members are the current student members who have at least 2 years of residency. These members make the majority of the active roster. On the other hand, New Members are those who are still on their first year with the guild. These are the people who have just finished their apprenticeship program and will soon change status to Old Members as soon as there is another batch of New Members.
Old and New Members generally hold the various key positions in the organization.
Apprentices, formerly known as Successful Applicants (S.A.'s), are those who have passed the rigorous auditions but are not yet considered to be bona fide members. Certain requirements must be met in order for an apprentice to be elevated to a member such as attending workshops set by the officers, putting up their own showcase and submitting a certain number of signatures from different members approving them to be members after the program. Due to the lack of experience on both the guild's system and a college theater, they start off as staffs for different theatrical departments.
Furthermore, the guild has two Faculty Advisers and a Professional Adviser.
As per the members' testaments, Teatro Tomasino gives them a home to come back to in UST.
University of Santo Tomas
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...
in Manila, Philippines. It takes pride as the premier theater organization in the University. Currently on its 34th season, Teatro Tomasino continues to produce note-worthy plays in line with the University's Mission and Vision as well as provide Thomasians with a venue to train and have actual applications so as to educate and enhance their knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the art while instilling discipline, responsibility and respect which they share, in turn, to the whole Thomasian community.
History
The group was formed by 25 students under the supervisions of Professor Myrna Hilario and Professor Piedad Guinto on September 17, 1977. March 1977 saw the establishment of the guild's constitution which has undergone numerous amendments to cope with the changing times and a growing company.Formal workshops started on April 2, 1977 under the watchful eyes of Maryo J. de los Reyes, Soxy Topacio, Jonee Gamboa, Nicanor Agudo, Sonia Roco, Adul de Leon, Sol Oca, Pilar de Gurman, Bernardo Bernardo and the late Lino Brocka. After which, the curtains opened for the first time with the performance of Orlando Nadres
Orlando Nadres
Orlando Nadres was a stage, film, television writer, director and actor.He is the son of Igmideo Nadres and Tecla Reobaldo. He attended the Lucena and Tayabas Elementary School, then went to Luis Palad High School where he published his first story in Liwayway...
' Ang Awit na Hindi Matapos-tapos under the direction of Maryo J. Delos Reyes.
Since then, Teatro Tomasino has never ceased in delivering the Thomasian community with works by some of the Philippines' well-respected playwrights, classical and contemporary Filipino pieces and even translated foreign classics.
Through the last 30 years, Teatro Tomasino's population has never declined. Every year, applicants come lining up for auditions in hopes of improving their skills and enhancing their talents. Alumni support is very strong as a number of them still render assistance and actively participate in the guild's activities.
Office is located in the new UST Tan-Yankee Student Center while productions are mostly held either at the Albertus Magnus Auditorium, Albertus Magnus Building or at the Rizal Conference Hall, St. Raymund de Peñafort Building.
The Members
Members are not just trained to perform on stage. All of them are required to go through at least one of the different theatrical aspects. It is surprising to know that a number of members prefer working behind the scenes than in front of an audience. Such endeavors include stage management, technical management, promotions and marketing. Members are strongly pushed to attend different workshops outside the guild. They consistently send participants to the summer workshops of the Cultural Center of the PhilippinesCultural Center of the Philippines
The Cultural Center of the Philippines is a government-owned and controlled corporation established to preserve, develop and promote arts and culture in the Philippines. The CCP was established through Executive Order No. 30 s. 1966 by President Ferdinand Marcos...
, Philippine Educational Theater Association and Sinag Arts Foundation to name a few.
With the diversity of the members, they are distinguished through these different membership status:
-
- Executive Board Members
- Honorary Members
- Old Members
- New Members
- Apprentices
- Probationary Members
Any currently-enrolled member can be elected into office. The Executive Board is made up of the following with their respective duties and obligations as per stated on the guild's constitution: Artistic Director
Artistic director
An artistic director is the executive of an arts organization, particularly in a theatre company, that handles the organization's artistic direction. He or she is generally a producer and director, but not in the sense of a mogul, since the organization is generally a non-profit organization...
, Technical Director
Technical director
The Technical Director or Technical Manager is usually a senior technical person within a software company, film studio, theatrical company or television studio...
, Business Director, Secretary
Secretary
A secretary, or administrative assistant, is a person whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, communication & organizational skills. These functions may be entirely carried out to assist one other employee or may be for the benefit...
, Assistant Secretary
Assistant Secretary
Assistant Secretary is a grade in the British Civil Service, now more commonly styled Divisional Manager or Deputy Director. In the grading scheme they are denoted Grade 5....
, Auditor, Marketing and Public Relations Officer, Asst. Marketing and Public Relations Officer, Alumni and Special Events Coordinator. Though due lack of candidates, some lower positions can be dropped while still maintaining the three Directors, a Secretary and an Auditor.
Honorary Members are primarily those who were able to serve the guild for at least four years, from their freshman year until graduation. But after some amendments on the constitution, it was extended to also cover alumni unable to complete four years of active residency and those who are no longer enrolled in the university. Most of the time, they assist the guild in the creative and artistic aspects of the production like directing, designing and even performing on stage as they are the most experienced in the guild.
Old Members are the current student members who have at least 2 years of residency. These members make the majority of the active roster. On the other hand, New Members are those who are still on their first year with the guild. These are the people who have just finished their apprenticeship program and will soon change status to Old Members as soon as there is another batch of New Members.
Old and New Members generally hold the various key positions in the organization.
Apprentices, formerly known as Successful Applicants (S.A.'s), are those who have passed the rigorous auditions but are not yet considered to be bona fide members. Certain requirements must be met in order for an apprentice to be elevated to a member such as attending workshops set by the officers, putting up their own showcase and submitting a certain number of signatures from different members approving them to be members after the program. Due to the lack of experience on both the guild's system and a college theater, they start off as staffs for different theatrical departments.
Furthermore, the guild has two Faculty Advisers and a Professional Adviser.
Auditions
Any aspiring Thomasian seeking admission to the guild must go through a two-part audition which is being conducted annually at the start of the academic year (June). Although the first half is relatively easy, it is the next half that proves to be the most crucial part of Teatro Tomasino's auditions. The panelists interview and scrutinize down to the tiniest detail the applicant to the point that almost half of them would not even make it to the apprenticeship program. This is done to test and see how these potential members will react to the pressures theater life will add to the demands of their studies and own private lives. Successful applicants then go to an apprenticeship program before they can be called New Members.The Artistic Directors
| Name | Academic Year | College/Faculty |
|---|---|---|
| Cristino Carbonell | 1977–1978 | Engineering |
| Monette Arroyo | 1978–1979 | Arts and Letters |
| Ding Cariaga | 1979–1980 | Architecture and Fine Arts |
| Esther Mendoza | 1980–1981 | Arts and Letters |
| Totie San Pedro | 1981–1982 | Arts and Letters |
| Francis Sta. Maria | 1982–1983 | Arts and Letters |
| Diwata Panahon | 1983–1984 | Pharmacy |
| Buboy Favor | 1984–1985 | Arts and Letters |
| Mhalouh Crisologo | 1985–1986 | Arts and Letters |
| Noel Nuguit | 1986–1987 | Arts and Letters |
| Xavier Alpasa | 1987–1988 | Commerce |
| Tonton Umadhay | 1988–1989 | Nursing |
| Ace Hernandez | 1989–1990 | Education |
| Roxy Liquigan | 1990–1991 | Architecture and Fine Arts |
| Dang Cruz | 1991–1992 | Education |
| Mykey Nueros | 1992–1993 | Science |
| Judy Reyes | 1993–1994 | Arts and Letters |
| Hiyas Matubis | 1994–1995 | Arts and Letters |
| Nonon Carandang | 1995–1996 | Arts and Letters |
| Janeth Zafra | 1996–1997 | Arts and Letters |
| Homer Espiritu | 1997–1998 | Music |
| Ana Lisa Soriano | 1998–1999 | Arts and Letters |
| Frances Karren Lo | 1999–2000 | Graduate School |
| Francis Omampo | 2000–2001 | Arts and Letters |
| Remedios Bueta | 2001–2002 | Education |
| Mary Anne de la Torre | 2002–2003 | Commerce |
| Aldous Ian Sta. Rita | 2003–2004 | Education |
| John Joseph Santos | 2004 - 2005 (1st Semester) | Nursing |
| Carlos Buendia, Jr. | 2004 - 2005 (2nd Semester) | Architecture |
| Ma. Lorraine Ayson | 2005–2006 | Commerce |
| Kristine Anne Guerra | 2006 - 2007 (1st Semester) | Accountancy |
| Cindy Chua | 2006 - 2007 (2nd Semester) | Education |
| Niña Belle Gavan | 2007–2008 | Arts and Letters |
| Joanne Saldana | 2008–2009 | Education |
| Avengel Joseph Federis | 2009–2010 | Education |
| N/A | 2010-2011 | N/A |
| Jessika Jane Torres | 2011-2012 | CTHM |
Gabi ng Parangal (Awards Night)
Teatro Tomasino holds an annual awards night, dubbed as Gabi ng Parangal (GNP). This is the culminating activity for the year wherein the different productions staged, their casts and respective creative and production teams vie for the different top organizational recognizitions. This is also where the newly-elected officers are sworn into office and officially start their term. The event is a very symbolical transition of leadership as the outgoing and incoming sets of officers spearhead the festivities.Awards and Citations
Throughout the glorious 30 years of Teatro Tomasino, the guild has been able and continues to receive different awards and recognitions within and outside the university walls.- CCP Theater Venue Grantee (1990)
- Most Unique Performance by a Group Delegate - ASEAN Arts Festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (1994)
- World Youth Day Performance (1995)
- Pope Leo XIII Award (1991–1995)
Beyond Theater
Teatro Tomasino for its members is not just an organization but their family in the university. Aside from workshops and productions, team-building activities are also done to further tighten the bond among the members and to let the younger members and their seniors know more of each other personally. Certain get-together events are also held like the guild's Anniversary Celebrations, Christmas Parties and the Gabi ng Parangal.As per the members' testaments, Teatro Tomasino gives them a home to come back to in UST.