University of the Visayas Toledo City Campus Makes History with Cebuano Play Premiere
The English Club of the University of the Visayas Toledo City Campus (UVTCC) achieved a significant milestone by staging the Cebuano play Tingog sa Kagahapon (TSK) in a black box theater on April 7, 8, and 10, 2026. This production marked the first time such a theatrical event has been held in the city of Toledo, drawing widespread attention from the community and beyond.
A Deep Dive into Family Dynamics and Emotional Truths
Written and directed by Jhay-ar A. Book, Tingog sa Kagahapon is a poignant exploration of family, memory, and long-buried truths. The play, performed nightly at 6 p.m., captivated audiences with its emotional narrative centered on Marsing, an aging mother grappling with memory loss. As her condition deteriorates, her estranged children are compelled to reunite, leading to intense confrontations over unresolved conflicts and painful family history.
The cast featured a talented ensemble of student performers from various UVTCC programs, including Ronnagen Provida, Genevive Tayag, Febbie Lorraine Cantunao, Shane Acquiat, Dexter Fernandez, Jade Marielle Dingding, and Jamaica Almero. Their performances were praised for bringing emotional depth and authenticity to the story, resonating deeply with viewers.
Student Actors Reflect on Challenging Roles and Personal Growth
For Febbie Lorraine Cantunao, who portrayed the character Ava, the role presented a significant artistic challenge. In a statement, she revealed that the character demanded a deeper emotional range than any of her previous performances. Cantunao described the experience as both difficult and fulfilling, noting that portraying a character who maintains outward composure while struggling internally pushed her growth as both an actor and an individual.
Jade Marielle Dingding, another cast member, shared her reflections on the emotional depth of her role. She said, Although I have taken on emotional roles before, this one feels more deeper and more personal. I am portraying a character who is unlike myself, someone who openly shows love for her family in ways I sometimes find hard to express. This play goes beyond acting, as it leaves a quiet but powerful feeling that lingers even after the curtain falls, reshaping how I see and value my relationships in real life.
Community Engagement and Critical Acclaim
With three performances, the play attracted a diverse audience of students, alumni, parents, and theater enthusiasts from the Toledo community. Ferliza Calizar-Contratista, head of the Community Affairs and Development Division of Toledo City and an audience member, praised the actors' performances, describing them as precise and crisp. She added, No overacting. No wasted movement. Just truth, held and delivered.
In her detailed review, Calizar-Contratista wrote, The story unfolds in a space so familiar. There was a table, a family, and conversations that feel ordinary. Until they're actually not. Because slowly, the past creeps in. Unresolved pain. Buried truths. The kind of silence that doesn't disappear, it waits. And when it speaks, it doesn't shout. It settles into you. You don't leave overwhelmed. You leave... thinking. And that has always been Sir Jhay's signature... You sit with it long after the performance ends.
Behind the Scenes: The English Club's Legacy and Revival
The production was spearheaded by the English Club of UVTCC, an organization that has spent the past decade cultivating student talent in literature, theater, and public speaking. Under the guidance of Jhay-ar A. Book, the club has evolved into a vital platform for emerging writers, performers, and artists, producing notable works such as Amanda, BAYE, In Greed, and Revolution. After a hiatus due to the pandemic, the club has steadily returned to the stage, continuing its mission to empower students through creative expression.
Book expressed gratitude for the support received, stating, I'd like to thank all the students, parents and friends of the performers, UVTCC heads, and all those who have supported TSK from the first night to the final performance. TSK is a testament to the public's growing interest in theater arts and its power to contribute to social transformation. This event underscores the vibrant cultural landscape in Toledo and the enduring impact of student-led artistic initiatives.
