A Life in the Theater

Evelio Javier and Edgar Jopson never met in real life, but they have much in common. Both men experienced the beginnings of social consciousness early in their lives and, with their Ateneo education, felt compelled to speak out for their countrymen during the years of the Marcos Regime. While they differed in the manner with which they sought change -- Evelio taking the side of gradualist, enlightened reformist politics, as the way forward for the country, and Edjop believing in violent struggle due to the futility of reforms in the political culture and class structure of Filipino society – they both met violent deaths that turned shocked the Filipino people. Edjop became president of the National Union of Students of the Philippines and led student demonstrations that would later form part of the First Quarter Storm—the most intense period of student activism in Philippine history. Under Martial law, he engaged in a new level of militancy. He joined a labor union as an organizer a...

Tanghalang Pilipino holds open auditions for two forthcoming productions: the rock musical “EJ:Ang Pinagdaanang Buhay nina Evelio Javier at Edgar Jopson” scheduled in February and March 2008, and the Philippine premiere of David Henry Hwang’s “GOLDEN CHILD ” which will run from August to September 2008. The rock musical “EJ: Ang Pinagdaanang Buhay nina Edgar Jopson at Evelio Javier” is written by Palanca Hall of Fame awardee Ed Maranan with music by The Dawn under the direction of Chris Millado. Auditions are scheduled from 5pm to 9pm on December 19 and 20, 5pm to 9pm, at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad ng Sining, 4th Floor, Cultural Center of the Philippines. Those interested must be prepared to perform a song of their choice and another song from the album “Tulad ng Dati” by The Dawn. “GOLDEN CHILD” wll be performed in both English and Filipino under the direction of Loy Arcenas, who also directed “The Romance of Magno Rubio/Ang Romansa ni Magno Rubio.” Needed are actors and actr...