AMPALAYA: THE MUSICAL.

What is the real story of how the ampalaya or the bitter gourd came to
be? With the support of CCP Kaisa Sa Sining, Dessa Quesada-Palm directs the
musical written by Maestro Michael Dadap, loosely adapted from the children's book
by Augie Rivera, starring many of Dumaguete's local thespians and singers.
DATES: July 15, 2015 Wednesday at 3PM matinee and 8PM Gala. VENUE:
Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo Cultural Center of the Philippines. For inquiries and
tickets reservation, please contact www.ticketworld.com.ph and at CCP Box Office.
You may also contact our SU Manila office thru Dolly @ 09177945772 and Rejina @
09178441735

The Story
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 mouth watering 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.

Among the highlights of the 53rd cultural season program is a musical theatrical
performance called AMPALAYA which celebrates Philippine culture through music,
dances, games, and values. The musical play is based on the award winning
childrens story Alamat ng Ampalaya (The Legend of Ampalaya) written by Augie
Rivera, Jr. The musical began as a short play, which debuted in 2000 in
Boston. Another highlight of this production is the original music by renowned New
York-based guitar virtuoso Maestro Michael Dadap who has set the plays music
using the Orchestra Sin Arco (Orchestra of Plucked Instruments). The play is
directed by Dessa Quesada Palm, of the Philippine Educational Theater Association,
with musical direction by Dr. Elizabeth Susan Vista-Suarez and choreography by
Angelo Sayson. Ampalaya is set to be stage at CCP Main Theater on July 15, 2015 at
3:00PM & 8:00PM; this is an effective way of reminding our greatness and rich of
cultural traditions and value through music, games and dances.

During Ampalayas 10-show run last September 2014, many suggested to bring the
play to CCP and a comeback in Dumaguete as well. Henceforth, Ampalaya is set to
stage at the CCP Main Theater on July 15, 2015 at 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM. This is a
perfect avenue to showcase our great and rich cultural traditions, and value through
music, games, and dances.

On the other hand, with more groups expressing interest to watch the show, we
have scheduled another round of performances for AMPALAYA in Dumaguete to
enable a wider audience to experience and enjoy this musical theater production.
We know that in many aspects, from social to aesthetic, audiences will benefit
immensely for viewing this play. The show will be staged on July 4, 5, and 6 at 10
AM & 3:00 PM (matinee shows) and 8:00 PM for gala at the Luce Auditorium.
Tickets are sold at Php 100.00 for students on this scheduled performance. For more
information and tickets reservation, please contact the Cultural Affairs Committee at
035-4224365 or 09173235953 or through email cac@su.edu.ph.

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.
Cultural Affairs Committee
Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental has long been known as the Cultural
Center of Southern Philippines, and for the first time ever, the Silliman
University Cultural Affairs Committee,
the citys unofficial cultural arm, brings to Manila audiences an original new
musical that will delight and educate, with a performance on 15 July 2015 at
the Tanghalang Nicanor
Abelardo of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, which is part of Silliman
Universitys commitment as the official regional cultural hub of the CCP.