On today's episode of PURR-formance Tapes, our host, Pusa talks about the creative transformations of UPLB's theatrical production caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic – from the traditional ones, to innovative digital plays, and to whatever comes next – with two of the resident members of Umalohokan, Inc., Kelly and Kyle!
Kelly Aboboto is a student-artist in the University of the Philippines Los Baños under the College of Arts and Science. In 2019, Kelly joined Umalohokan, Inc., a UPLB-based community theater organization where they honed their craft and performed in numerous drama, song, and dance performances both in the main stage and mob performances. However, even before joining Umalohokan, Inc., Kelly has been a student performer for years with their creative outlet being through school events. Kelly made their debut performance as a UPLB-based artist in Isko't Iska 2019 where they played numerous roles and was internally awarded the best actress for their performance. They have been part of both Himig Umalohokan and Indayog Umalohokan, branches of the organization concerned with music and stylized movement respectively. Eventually, Kelly was recognized by the organization as one of the most outstanding members when they were elected as the Vice President of Umalohokan, Inc. During this time, they also carried out their role as a stage manager for Isko't Iska. After their term, Kelly enhanced their craft through trainings in other organizations. In the past year, Kelly returned to Umalohokan, Inc. and successfully carried out their role as the Head Stage Manager in the most recent production of the organization - Nawawala 2023: Tagpu-tagpuan.
Kyle Saldonido, a BS Development Communication student in the University of the Philippines Los Baños, is a student artist in Umalohokan, Inc. In 2019, Kyle was introduced to the world of theater and having no prior experience to performing arts beforehand, they trained in the artistics and technicals of theatrical production. They were eventually recognized for their leadership and management skills as they were elected as the Production Manager of both Umalohokan, Inc. and Isko't Iska, the primary theater production spearheaded by the organization. During this time, Kyle also trained and executed their role as a Head Stage Manager, Publicity Committee Head, and head of Teatro Umalohokan (the branch of the organization concerned with on-stage and back-stage work for productions). The following year, Kyle was elected as the Chairperson of Umalohokan, Inc. while they were carried over as the Head Stage Manager for the next Isko't Iska. After their term, Kyle ventured more into their Artistics and debuted as an artistic director for Quarantine 5, and the playwright for Pilipinas, Game Ka Na Ba?; both play units in Nawawala 2023: Tagpu-tagpuan, the most recent production of Umalohakan, Inc.
CSC - Criticism Self-Criticism; post-production peer and self-evaluation
Himig - Umalohokan, Inc.'s internal event focused on enhancing the resident members' song composition and singing skills
Indayog - Umalohokan, Inc.'s internal event focused on enhancing the resident members' dancing and stylized movement on-stage
Isko't Iska - an annual theatrical production spearheaded by Umalohokan, Inc. featuring the freshmen students of UPLB
Nawawala Play Festival - a series of plays featured in one theatrical production organized and produced by Umalohokan, Inc.
Pintados - Umalohokan, Inc.'s internal event focused on enhancing the resident members' painting and graphic design skills
Pluma - Umalohokan, Inc.'s internal event focused on enhancing the resident members' writing skills
Production Managers - overseer of the overall budget and schedule of a theatrical production by coordinating with the different committees
Productions(/Plays) - theatrical productions
Stage Managers - support and organizes all of the committees and people in a theatrical production
Teatro - Umalohokan, Inc.'s internal event focused on enhancing the resident members' theatrical skills
UPLB Writers' Club - a non-profit organization of young writers and literature enthusiasts based at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. Founded in the 1970s, the organization has since then marshaled its efforts to promote meaningful and socially relevant literature inside and outside the university.
BACA - Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts
Kovi - Vincent Wilson G. Billones, Member of Umalohokan Inc.
UPLB - University of the Philippines Los Baños
USC - UPLB University Student Council
SAKBAYAN - Samahan ng Kabataan para sa Bayan
Acads - academics
Baby Batch - the newest batch of the organization
Cheterific - Che for "thea" of the word "theater; "theaterific"
Chikadora - gossipmonger, talkative, bigmouth
Consti - constitution (of the organization)
DL - DL Umali Auditorium in UPLB
F2F - face-to-face
GDrive - Google Drive
NCAS - NCAS Auditorium in UPLB
Umal - Umalohokan, Inc.
theater, theater arts, theater industry, teatro, Laguna, UPLB, Umalohokan, Inc., Umal, Isko't Iska, COVID-19 pandemic, mass org, para sa masa, culture, arts
Host: Katrina Fornesa
Scriptwriter: Nina Mary Mopera
Editor: Derrell Steen Barrion
Transcribers: Harvey Russell Artita and Ninotchka Noelle Brasuela
Point Person and Partnerships: Soleil Isobel Amandi