Wondering what to watch next? Here, we present another theatrical show called: Ding, Ang Bato! This is a production by De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde that tells the story of Darna from Ding’s perspective. Read more to learn about the story.
Make Way for Ding, Ang Bato!
Filipinos always admire heroes and heroines who are always there to save people from harm. We fantasize people doing heroic deeds for both young and old. When I was little, I hear various stories that allow me to imagine and recreate them as if they are still alive. I imagine the protagonists and antagonists to be embodied in real people. Whenever I do this, I always exercise my creative mind.
Why am I interested in stories like these?
Stories like these teach us various lessons that television shows or movies rarely do. It forgets to teach us about how heroes really are and what can people do to help others. Some tend to lose themselves along the way in pursuit of various things. We lose our ways to the dark side and just continue living without figuring out.
Then at some point, along with the story, we realize the mistakes and wrong decisions we did. Soon after, we make amends and think of ways on how to cope up with the mess we made. After which, we do everything in our power to restore the way things were. But in reality, it is hard to restore things the way they were. There are things that cannot be brought back and we just have to move on.
Now, how is this connected to this show?
As I mentioned, I have this unique love for theatrical shows. It gives me a recharging feeling that rejuvenates my mind, body, and soul. Well, I don’t know if the same happens to you but to me, it is. There is something unique about theatrical shows that always captivate me. A peculiar story entails a unique and unforgettable experience that will bring you to different heights.
This story brings people to new heights. It is a story that almost everyone knows about because it was always shared from the perspective of the protagonist. What’s more interesting is that it is being told from the perspective of a side character.
What is a side character?
It is a character who is not the main character/s but is someone who supports the main character/s. They may not have plenty of exposure but they make the story more interesting. Some consider them as supporting characters that show a different perspective to the main characters.
But now, I’m looking forward to this story. Let me share with you why.
Benilde Arts and Culture Cluster Stages “Ding, Ang Bato!”
The iconic Pinoy superhero takes flight once again!
The Benilde Arts and Culture Cluster (BACC) presents Ding, Ang Bato! A dance musical to be staged at the SDA Theater, School of Design and Arts, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde at 950 Pablo Ocampo St. Manila.
The production marks the return to the stage of Darna, the Filipina superhero and icon created by the brilliant mind of comic book legend Mars Ravelo.
Before, I’d usually just hear about Darna or Ding on television and movies. It is a rare occasion that I hear that it is portrayed in the theater. I think this is a very great opportunity for people my age to watch the iconic story on theater. It is time that millennials see and learn about the story of Darna, Valentina, and Ding on theater!
What to look forward to this show?
The musical is also a unique take on the Darna lore. Set in contemporary times, it is told from the perspective of Ding, Narda’s deaf brother. The beautiful language of the Deaf community is masterfully incorporated in movement, music, and dance.
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Ding, Ang Bato! is a truly Pinoy musical production, as can only be envisioned and executed by the best of Philippine theater. The production is led by the visionary Director and Librettist Chris Millado, Vice President and Artistic Director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and renowned Theater Director and playwright. Joining him are luminaries of the stage including choreographers Denisa Reyes & Ernest Mandap and Music Composer Ejay Yatco. They will be leading the collaboration between professional and student musical theater performers, dance majors, singers, and multimedia practitioners of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s School of Design and Arts.
The production also features Benilde’s Dance Department Chair Christine Crame reprising the role of Darna, which originally first took ‘flight’ at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater in 2003, as well as Natasha Cabrera, a television and stage performer, taking on the role of Valentina.
When can we see it?
“Ding, Ang Bato!” will run from May 14 to 21, 2018. Tickets are available at the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, School of Design and Arts.
For ticket inquiries and reservations please call:
- Micca at +63 955 182 7445
- Kim at +63 920 299 2573
For updates and inquiries, you may follow them on:
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Are you ready to listen to Ding’s story? 😃
11 Comments
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Oh! This is wonderful! I’ve always wanted to watch theater shows. It’s more compelling and you can just see raw talent on stage. No retakes. What makes it more enticing to watch is the story itself. Every Filipino knows who Darna and Ding are. Aw. How I wish I could watch this. Hope they will have an awesome show.
This is a great show and I would love to watch it. Unfortunately, I am in the province and it would not really be practical to fly to Manila just for the play. Anyway, I look forward watching these plays in the future.
Shows of this kind have so much to give. Truely,they help our minds reach a different level all together. More often than not,it’s messages from these kind of shows that help us develop as humans and deepen our personalities.
I always love to watch a theatrical show since then, but I didn’t always get a chance at all. Anyway, I truly agree that there are things that no matter how we try to get them back, but they can never go back to the things the way they were, and that’s a sad reality. I love watching superheroes, and this show looks like something that I could not just enjoy, but will learn a lot from it.
Wow!! Lovely sharing as I learnt much about this show then. Was attracted to your post title ding-ang-bato before my read 🙂 After reading your post, I am interested to be there for the live show. I am planning my travelling & wish can have cheap fare then to firm up my trip then. Saved your post & wish I will be there soon ya
Cheers, siennylovesdrawing
This is really interesting. I have seen Darna remakes in the movies and TV. But this is the first time that the story will be told from Ding’s perspective. I’d love to watch this also.
I would have loved to see that, but the last day is already tomorrow! I love the Darna lore and it’s so nice that you’re putting it into the stage like this, especially from a different character’s point of view. Those always add a lot of insight to the main story! Are you guys holding any other Filipino lore related shows anytime soon? Thanks for sharing! I wasn’t aware of this before, but I’ll be sure to follow the group now.
I’ve heard about this play and a lot of great reviews about it from my friends. It’s so nice to put our Pinoy heroine on the spotlight and how they put their unique take in this classic tale. It’s also impressive to know that they added something for deaf community as they incorporate the languages through their dances and music. Knowing that it is about Darna, this show is definitely something for all walks of ages! Too bad, today is their last day, hopefully, they could have extended runs
I haven’t been to the theater to see a show in such a long time. I was actually thinking of buying tickets to the Cirque du Soleil who are coming in my city next month. It’s interesting that this production of Ding ang bato is a musical production as well as a choreography show. I can imagine how much energy there is on the stage. I find musicals very creative shows, because they re-interpret the story using art and the vision of the director.
It has been ages since I have last been to a theater play and I must agree that there is something about it that is both electric and exhilarating. It sure is one amazing experience which you can never really have if you will go watch a film. This one sounds like an awesome show to see and promises to be hilarious, too! Hopefully, I can catch it, or if not, I do hope I can watch another play one of these days.
I never knew that Ding was actually deaf in any Darna-related movie or TV show! Guess I really didn’t know much about that. Are there any good theatre acts coming to Cebu though? The good ones always seem to pop up in Manila all the time!