A remote island surrounded by the ocean, with a perpetual sea breeze perfuming the surroundings. In words, Isla Esteban seems like an idyllic place, a refuge for anyone seeking peace through beautiful horizons and the simplicity of humble living. But in the middle of it lies a barren land, with townsfolk fantasizing about a better way of life.
This is the setting of the Far Eastern University Theater Guild’s (FTG) latest production. Co-presented by the FEU Center for the Arts and the university’s Alumni Relations Office, the student theater group’s current restaging of Ang Pinakamakisig sa mga Nalunod sa Buong Daigdig transports audiences to the world of Isla Esteban through the lives of the people who live there. The mystery-filled play, written by Teresa Lorena Jopson, is adapted from The Handsomest Drowned Man short story by Nobel Prize winner Gabriel García Márquez.
Directed by FTG’s artistic director, Dudz Teraña, Ang Pinakamakisig sa mga Nalunod sa Buong Daigdig features Jeff Hernandez’s musical composition and the musical direction of Jesus Singh III. Although this isn’t the first time the company has staged the play, what sets this production apart is that the stage is submerged in water.
“It’s challenging to work with water, which we haven’t done in the past three stagings of this play,” Dudz says. “This staging makes it so exciting.”
The story begins when the body of a drowned man washes up on the shore of Isla Esteban. The townspeople try to decipher the identity of the deceased man, and in the process, they come to many realizations.
Style Weekend had the chance to witness the opening weekend show, which in some ways felt like a nod to Greek theater, with male actors performing female roles and a narrator on an intimate semi-arena stage. The cast was led by Raven Relavo-Singh as Pipi and narrator, Jesus Singh III as Lola, Kobie Hachero as Buntis, Jasper Estaras as Haliparot, Jonas Cunanan as Hipokrita, and Raffaelle Pascua as Kapitan.
It’s always a delight to see young actors take the lead on stage. Their strength lies in the way they sing and move. The male actors successfully made each of their characters distinct, resulting in a powerful ensemble that gave us a full view of Isla Esteban, the drowned man, and the magical realism that runs through the play and its source material. Apart from the submerged set, Teraña’s use of spectacle added just the right amount of flair to elevate the scenes. Based on the performance, though, mastery of the lines would benefit the cast. With such an intimate setup and semi-arena staging, the audience can easily spot lapses in line delivery and even small details like eye contact.
The highlight of the play for us was how the female characters turned their awe into empathy. At one point, they begin to see the beauty and magnificence of the cadaver as a burden. There’s also a sense of longing that lingers throughout the play. The cast effectively showcased how these women, despite being surrounded by water, are thirsty—for love, companionship, truth, and happiness—something the audience can easily relate to.
All in all, witnessing FTG’s restaging of Teresa Lorena Jopson’s work is a great way to spend the weekend. Our advice? Wear your best resort ’fits when coming to the show because, unlike other funerals, this one will surely make a splash.
Ang Pinakamakisig sa mga Nalunod sa Buong Daigdig premiered last Oct. 2 at the FEU Center for the Arts Studio and will run until Oct. 19, 23, 30, and Nov. 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, and 23, 2024. Ticket prices are P200 for the FEU community, P400 for guests, and P600 for VIPs.
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