Teatro Tomasino

History

The foremost and only recognized university-wide theater guild of the University of Santo Tomas first saw light on the 17th day of September 1977, when 25 students of the university established the name Teatro Tomasino under Prof. Myrna Hilario and Prof. Piedad Guinto.

Formal workshops started on April 2, 1977 after which the curtains opened for the first time with the performance of Orlando Nadres’ And Awit na Hindi Matapos-tapos under the direction of Maryo J. Delos Reyes.

On its 39 years of existence, Teatro Tomasino has produced of various personalities such as John “Sweet” Lapus, Erick Salud, Don Cuaresma, Arnold Clavio, Roxy Liquigan, Jose Victor Torres, Malou Crisologo, even the late Wenn Deramas and still continues to produce various media and theater practitioners equipped with the discipline and knowledge of a Thespian.

On its recent years it has produced different productions such as “Dos Por Dos” — a twin bill production directed by ABS-CBN director Erick Salud. Dos Por Dos features two Palanca winners: Joe Cool Aplikante by Joshua Lim So and Our Lady Of Arlegui by Chris Martinez; and “Tagumpay at Trahedya” directed by Palanca Award-winning playwright Jose Victor Z. Torres. Just last year did Teatro Tomasino showcased the stage adaptation of Eljay Castro Deldoc’s hit novel of Ricky Lee, “Para Kay B”. The production directed by Teatro Tomasino’s alumnus, Arch. Carlos A. Buendia, made a mark not only to the Thomasian Community but also to the avid fans of Ricky Lee and his works.

At present, Teatro Tomasino continues to produce high-quality theater productions to contribute to the development of Philippine Theater especially to the Students of UST.

Organizational Structure

Any currently-enrolled member can be elected into office. The Executive Board is made up of the following with their respective duties and obligations as per stated on the guild's constitution: Artistic Director, Technical Director, Business Director, Secretary, Auditor, Internal Public Relations Officer, External Public Relations Officer and the other officials: Marketing Officer and Assistant Secretary.

Members are not just trained to perform on stage. All of them are required to go through at least one of the different theatrical aspects. It is surprising to know that a number of members prefer working behind the scenes than in front of an audience. Such endeavors include stage management, technical management, promotions and marketing. Members are strongly pushed to attend different workshops outside the guild.

With the diversity of the members, they are distinguished through these different membership statuses:

Alumni Members are primarily those who were able to serve the guild for at least four years, from their freshman year until graduation. But after some amendments on the constitution, it was extended to also cover alumni unable to complete four years of active residency and those who are no longer enrolled in the university. Most of the time, they assist the guild in the creative and artistic aspects of the production like directing, designing and even performing on stage as they are the most experienced in the guild.

Members are the current student members who have at least 2 years of residency. These members make the majority of the active roster.

Apprentices are those who have passed the rigorous auditions but are not yet considered to be bona fide members. Certain requirements must be met in order for an apprentice to be elevated to a member such as attending workshops set by the officers, putting up their own showcase and submitting a certain number of signatures from different members approving them to be members after the program. Due to the lack of experience on both the guild's system and a college theater, they start off as staffs for different theatrical departments.

Furthermore, the guild has two Faculty Advisers and a Professional Adviser.

Auditions

Any aspiring Thomasian seeking admission to the guild must go through a two-part audition which is being conducted annually at the start of the academic year. Although the first half is relatively easy, it is the next half that proves to be the most crucial part of Teatro Tomasino's auditions. The panelists interview and scrutinize down to the tiniest detail the applicant to the point that almost half of them would not even make it to the apprenticeship program. This is done to test and see how these potential members will react to the pressures theater life will add to the demands of their studies and own private lives. Successful applicants then go to an Apprenticeship program before they can be called New Members at the end of the school year.

Gabi ng Parangal (Awards Night)

Teatro Tomasino holds an annual awards night, dubbed as Gabi ng Parangal (GNP). This is the culminating activity for the year wherein the different productions staged, their casts and respective creative and production teams vie for the different top organizational recognition. This is also where the newly elected officers are sworn into office and officially start their term.

Awards and Citations

Beyond Theater

Teatro Tomasino for its members is not just an organization but their family in the university. Aside from workshops and productions, team-building activities are also done to further tighten the bond among the members and to let the younger members and their seniors know more of each other personally. Certain get-together events are also held like the guild's Anniversary Celebrations, Christmas Parties and the Gabi ng Parangal.

As per the members' testaments, Teatro Tomasino gives them a home to come back to in UST.