By MJ Racadio
INCinema’s New Stage play “Digpi” (Thumbmark) was definitely a hit. It was held at the Iglesia Ni Cristo Tabernacle last (July 17). The audience started arriving around 5PM, coming from different locales.
The play started with the scene of a family get-together in August 2015, where they recalled what happened in March 1965, when there was a conflict between the government and religion. This is the main plot. The play revolves how this affected the lives of Iglesia Ni Cristo members, as they continued fighting for the faith, facing persecutions and tests.
The production, including the stage design, was well thought from present to past. The costume design, which played an essential part for the visuals to recreate the year 1965, was excellent. The actors were superb in playing their characters.
Jacob Lao delivers a poignant performance and amazing portrayal of Ciano, the main character of the story.
Anthony Ocampo “Arsenio” played the role of a manager very well, and was very bossy indeed. Aldrin Enriquez as “Serafin” played the character of a student, as well as an INC member, which was very challenging, particularly the highlights during the argument with “Ciano”.
Gem Pacson as “Felicidad” plays a sweet and understanding sister. Antonio Aquitania (Ladyo) is not new in show business, as he had portrayed roles before as a comedian. His character in the play was different, he was quite good and right on the dot. Teresita Canapit (Old Melinda) played a grandmother-story teller role and was superb in telling and recalling the story from the past. Susan Trogo as “Tiya Celia” was a dynamite and the most memorable character. She was a great villain, a persecutor; Chelina Talavera as “Pelita” played the role of the girlfriend of “Ciano”. Her portrayal is convincing. Joyce Gabion “The Secretary” was a flirty character and she played it well, using her charm at the office; Ronnie Caguioa as “Augusto” played the role of an office mate flirting with “the Secretary” — which was kind of a cute part of the play.
Overall, the play was a “smashing” hit! It is an amazingly touching story and they should do a feature film already!
Director Maru Henry said of the play: “This came as a surprise for us. We prepared by working overtime. we doubled our efforts just to make this possible, of course with God’s help.”
Before the play started, writer Robert Cepeda said, “I’m pretty much excited and looking forward to it because thinking back, we started December in conceptualizing the idea of stage play and finally it’s gonna be seen.”
“Digpi: A Story Of Fighting For The Faith,” discusses the challenges which members of the Church of Christ have to hurdle, as they fought earnestly for their conviction and demonstrated what their priorities are.
Digpi is produced by INCinema. With its array of short film productions, full-length film projects, and stage play performances, INCinema has indeed been a potent tool utilized by Church Administration to promote true Christian values consistently, for the benefit of members and non-members alike.
Digpi will be re-shown on July 31, Sunday, 6PM at the Iglesia Ni Cristo Tabernacle. (Eagle News Service)