AMPALAYA THE MUSICAL

PRESENTED BY:
The Cultural Center of the Philippines & Silliman University

DATE/ TIME/ VENUE:

July 15, 2015 3:00PM
Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)

DESCRIPTION:
What is the real story of how the ampalaya or the bitter gourd came to be? Ampalaya the Musical is the
theatrical adaptation of Augie Riveras beloved childrens book about the legend of Ampalaya which won
much acclaim and many hearts when it was first published by Adarna House nineteen years ago. With
music by multi-awarded guitarist Michael Dadap and libretto by Patty Yusah (with Michael Dadap),
Ampalaya the Musical explores issues like the ugliness of envy and greed and what it does to people, and
embracing and nurturing ones gifts and strengths. This it achieves through catchy melodies, colorful
costumes and animation, which are sure to delight all audiences and take them back to a happy journey
revisiting their childhood days. The musical will be directed by PETAs Dessa Quesada-Palm, starring
many of Dumaguete's local thespians and singers. .

SYNOPSIS:
Long time ago, in the Land of Sariwa, vegetables grew abundantly and happily. Except for a gourd named
Ampalaya who was pale, hairy, and bland. The other vegetables tried to welcome her into their play but
she bent all rules to suit herself and pushed away all those who tried to befriend her with her mean ways.
She was envious of the good taste, color, and other features of the vegetables in Sariwa, and schemed to
steal all these things while the rest are asleep. So one night, in her greediness, she stole the color of
Kamatis and Talong, the flavorful spice of Luya, the mouthwatering aroma of the Bawang sisters, the
sweetness of Kalabasa, the crunch of Labanos, and many more. The vegetables woke up in shock,
realizing their unique features were gone. They confronted Ampalaya, and she nonchalantly paraded all
that she took from the other vegetables. They sought the help of Atty. Malaya who lifted the case to the
Land of Sariwas beloved judge, Ubodman sa Saging, and her jury of diwatas. After all evidences were
presented and the misdeed proven, the consequence of Ampalayas unjust and selfish behavior would
finally lead to her major transformation.

ABOUT ORKESTRA SIN ARCO:

The Orchestra Sin Arco (OSA) simply means an ensemble of plucked string instruments. In the
Philippines we are familiar with the instruments of the Rondalla ensemble, namely the bandurrias,
octavinas, la-ud guitars, the standing bass played in pizzicato, and the Bajo de Ua. The rondalla could
be considered as an Orchestra sin Arco because it also employs the use of plucked string instruments
performing together. Building and sustaining an orchestra sin arco requires members to be trained as
soloists as well as chamber music players, and must have high proficiency in sight-reading skills. They
have to go through auditions to evaluate their musical and technical skills. To meet the musical demands
of Orkestra Sin Arco, it is important that the instruments are of high quality, have good projection, and
have good tonal quality. A world-class orkestra sin arco can perform symphonic works of great composers
from Baroque to Classical, from Romantic to Contemporary to Folkloric. Maestro Michael Dadap, a strong
advocate and founder of Orkestra Sin Arco after many years of establishing pilot programs in
collaboration of Silliman University, has formulated a new line of the banduria family for the OSA. They
comprise of soprano bandurias (reprsenting the violin section), alto bandurias (representing the viola
section), contra alto bandurias (representing the cello section), and the Contra Bajo (representing the
bass section).
The ensemble members of the COPVA Orkestra Sin Arco are composed of twenty college students from
Silliman University and from neighboring communities. The orchesra started in 2000 as a six-member
traditional Rondalla ensemble known as the Kwerdas. Maestro Dadap, on first hearing the Kwerdas play,
was highly impressed by their skills and musicality. In 2002, he came to Silliman University to start a
special project sponsored by the New York-New Jersey Silliman Alumni Chapter to start an ensemble
composed of plucked instruments otherwise known as the Orkestra Sin Arco. In 2012, the Orkestra Sin
Arco was formally launched performing the Camille
Saint Seans Carnival of the Animals for two pianos, strings and winds, Michael Dadaps Tikling Suite for
strings, flute, and clarinet, and Jerry Dadaps Alay sa Inang Bayan for chorus and orchestra. What
started as a students jamming has flourished to become Sillimans pride as the first Orkestra Sin Arco in
the Philippines.

ARTISTIC STAFF:
Director : Dessa Quesada-Palm
Musical Director: Elizabeth Susan Vista-Suarez
Composer & Lyricist: Michael Dadap
Librettists: Michael Dadap & Patty Yusah
Choreographer: Angelo Sayson
Set Designer: Lex Marcos
Technical Director: Loren Rivera

TICKET INFORMATION:
Ticket Price:
P600 | 500 | 400 | 300