Kung Paano Nanalo sa Karera si Rosang Taba is a story of how a woman’s courage, cleverness, and determination altered history. In the adaptation, Rosang Taba’s feat is recounted by her great grandchildren in the hope that Rosang Taba’s legacy lives on in the modern times.

Text and images courtesy of Toots Tolentino
March 15, 2023

After two years of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has led to a global health crisis, Dulaang UP reopened its doors through the staging of Floy Quintos’ The Reconciliation Dinner at the University Theater Main Hall Stage in November 2022.

After the successful run of The Reconciliation Dinner, Dulaang UP’s first offering for its 45th theatre season, we are excited to be back on stage with an adaptation of Dean Francis Alfar’s How Rosang Taba Won a Race, a children’s story that amplifies the voices of the oppressed. The adaptation Kung Paano Nanalo sa Karera si Rosang Taba is written by award-winning playwrights Maynard Manansala and Rody Vera, and directed by José Estrella in collaboration with her mentees Issa Manalo Lopez and Mark Dalacat. Lopez is currently DUP’s Artistic Director while Dalacat is a graduating BA Theatre Arts student from the Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts.

Kung Paano Nanalo sa Karera si Rosang Taba is a story of how a woman’s courage, cleverness, and determination altered history. In the adaptation, Taba’s feat is recounted by her great grandchildren in the hope that Rosang Taba’s legacy lives on in the modern times.

Kiki Baento plays the titular role of Rosang Taba alongside Jojo Cayabyab who plays Gobernador Heneral. Joining Baento and Cayabyab are equally talented film and theatre actors Skyzx Labastilla, Peewee O’Hara, Victor Sy, Aldo Vencilao, Quinea Babas, Ynna Rafa, Dyas Adarlo, Mari Palaganas, Owel Pepito, and Pau Vengano.

The proceeds of the show will be used for the rehabilitation and renovation of the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater—the home of over 150 Dulaang UP plays in the last four decades. The theater has been instrumental in the growth and success of many critically acclaimed theatre artists and scholars including two National Artists for Theatre, Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio and Dulaang UP’s founding Artistic Director Antonio “Tony” Mabesa.

Kung Paano Nanalo sa Karera si Rosang Taba is set to run from March 23 - April 2, 2023 at the UP Theater Main Hall Stage, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City. You can buy tickets at: https://ticket2me.net/e/36951, or visit the Dulaang UP ticket booth at Palma Hall Pavilion 3 every Tuesdays to Fridays at 10 AM to 5 PM. For inquiries, please contact Camilo De Guzman at 0917 881 1591 or email dulaangup.upd@up.edu.ph.

Cast of Characters

Kiki Baento (Rosanna / Rosang Taba):

Samahan si Kiki Baento sa kanyang natatanging pagganap bilang Rosanna at ang magiting na si Rosang Taba.

Si Kiki ay mula sa Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), at nagtanghal bilang Jude sa “Game of Trolls,” at kasalukuyan bilang Monica sa “Walang Aray.” Bilang artista ng PETA, si Kiki ay nagtuturo rin sa mga nais pagyamanin ang kanilang talento sa pagtatanghal.

Victor Sy (Pietrado):

Katunggali ni Rosang Taba ay ang aristokratong si Pietrado na isasabuhay naman ni Victor Sy.

Si Victor ay isang aktor ng GMA at gumanap bilang Winston Wenceslao sa teleseryeng “I Left My Heart in Sorsogon.” Siya rin ay napanood sa katatapos lamang na teleserye ng GMA na “Maria Clara at Ibarra” bilang Don Rafael Ibarra.

Skyzx Labastilla (Rosa Mia / Andreia):

Gagampanan ni Skyzx Labastilla ang ikalawang kapatid ni Rosanna na si Rosa Mia at angkatuwang ni Pietrado na si Andreia. Si Skyzx ay nagtanghal sa produksyon ng Dulaang UP na “Ang Dalagita’y ’Sang Bagay na ‘Di Buo” noong 2018. Ang dulang ito ay isang solo-play kung saan nagtanghal si Skyzx bilang labinlimang karakter sa iisang dula.

Peewee O’Hara (Rosalinda / Ina):

Ang karakter ng pinakamatandang kapatid ni Rosanna na si Rosalinda at ang ina ni Rosang Taba ay bibigyang-buhay ng beteranang aktres na si Peewee O’Hara. Kilala si Peewee bilang Magda sa CinemaOne original na “Si Magdalola At Ang Mga Gago” kung saan nakatanggap siya ng nominasyon bilang “Natatanging Aktres” sa 2016 Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival. Siya rin ay bumida sa tampok na dula ng UP Playwrights’ Theatre na “Nana Rosa” bilang Rosa Henson noong 2019 at 2020, kung saan nagkamit siya ng “Best Lead Actress in a Play” sa Aliw Awards noong 2020.

Aldo Vencilao (Cumbanchero / Ama):

Si Aldo Vencilao naman ang gaganap bilang Cumbanchero at ama ni Rosang Taba. Siya ay miyembro ng Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company at naging bahagi ng iba’t-ibang produksiyon nito. Partikular sa mga ito ang kanyang pagganap bilang Bruce sa Filipino cast ng “The Wong Kids in the Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go!” kung saan nominado siya bilang “Outstanding Male Lead Performance in a Play” sa ika-siyam na Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards.

Jojo Cayabyab (Gobernador Heneral):

Mapapanood din si Jojo Cayabyab bilang Gobernador Heneral. Siya ay gumanap sa pinakahuling naitanghal na dula ng Dulaang UP, ang “The Reconciliation Dinner” bilang Fred Valderama. Naging bahagi rin siya sa iba pang mga produksyon ng Dulaang UP; bilang Esteban sa “Fuente Ovejuna,” at Dimaliwat sa “Bagong Cristo”.