There’s something magical about witnessing two different worlds collide—especially when it’s art and science sharing the same space. This November, I found myself stepping into The Mind Museum in BGC, expecting the usual dose of curiosity and discovery. But instead of scientific exhibits, I was greeted by a stage, a story, and a kind of emotional electricity that only theater can spark.
Teatro Meron transformed the museum into a home for live performance for the very first time, and what a bold choice it was. In partnership with Eastern Communications and Tunog at Liwanag sa Teatro Inc. (TLT), they brought to life Ang Medea—National Artist Rolando Tinio’s Filipino adaptation of Euripides’ ancient Greek tragedy Medea.
It’s a play that doesn’t just tell a story—it confronts you with human truths that feel both ancient and painfully modern.
Revisiting a Classic with Fire and Purpose
Director Ron Capinding, the founder of Teatro Meron, revisits Medea after a well-received run with Tanghalang Ateneo. This time, he brings with him not just experience, but a renewed sense of urgency.
He once said,
“A true classic can reflect the present, uncover the past, and even imagine what’s to come.”
And watching this production, I understood exactly what he meant.
Miren Alvarez-Fabregas—who has been praised countless times for her powerful portrayal—returns as Medea, and honestly, she is a force. She carries fury, heartbreak, dignity, and defiance so intensely that you feel every tremor of her struggle.
A Story of Dignity, Betrayal, and the Cost of Ambition
At the heart of Ang Medea is a woman who gave up everything—her homeland, her safety, her identity—for love. Only to be cast aside by Yason in a land that never welcomed her. It’s a tale that forces you to think about how fragile dignity is, and the terrifying decisions people make when it’s stripped away.
Opposite Alvarez-Fabregas is the equally compelling Brian Sy (with Yan Yuzon alternating as Yason). Both actors capture Yason’s tragic contradictions—his ambition, his justifications, and his emotional unraveling.
A Stellar Ensemble, Both Onstage and Off
The cast is rounded out by veterans and rising stars:
- Teroy Guzman as Kreon
- Joseph Dela Cruz as Egeo
- Katski Flores as Yaya
- Joel Macaventa as Maestro
- Gold Soon & Pickles Leonidas as the Koro
Behind them is a creative team that elevates the production:
- Tata Tuviera (set design)
- Ian Bautista (lights)
- Zak Capinding (sound design)
- Gabrielle Barredo (production management)
- Mar Suesmith (stage manager)
- Albriz Bagsic (technical director)
- Santi Caruncho (graphic design)
Each piece contributes to a world that feels haunting, lyrical, and alive.
A Theater Movement for the Modern Filipino
I’ve always believed that classics stay alive only when people choose to retell them—and Teatro Meron is doing exactly that. Their vision is simple yet profound:
to make theater that entertains, enlightens, and uplifts.
Or as Capinding beautifully puts it,
“Nakaaaliw, nakatatalino, at nakapagpapabuti.”
In a time when many people scroll more than they think or feel, a production like Ang Medea is a reminder of why stories still matter.
Show Schedules
Performances run at the Mind Museum Special Exhibition Hall on:
- November 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 – 8:00 PM
- November 15, 22 – 3:00 PM & 8:00 PM
- November 16, 23 – 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever doubted how powerful theater can be—or if you simply want to witness something bold, emotional, and beautifully Filipino—Ang Medea is worth your time.
It’s not just a play.
It’s an experience where art meets science, where myth meets modern life, and where the old questions feel new again.
