VIDEO: Go Inside Rehearsals For NOLI ME TANGERE in Manila

Manila, Philippines--The Philippines' first full-length opera, National Artists Guillermo Tolentino and Felipe Padilla De Leon's most beloved 1957 opera, "Noli Me Tangere" (Huwag Mo Salangin/Touch Me Not) returns to the Cultural Center of the Philippines' (CCP) main theatre, Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo, from March 8-10, 2019.

In this 2019 all-new production, about 200 actors-classical singers, classical musicians, and production crew are joining forces to stage this grand, "elegant affair" (The Washington Post, 2014). Leading the cast are Nerissa De Juan and Bianca Lopez (Maria Clara); Ivan Nery and Nomher U. Nival (Juan Crisostomo Ibarra); Allison Cervantes, Kelly Peralejo, and Bernadette Mamauag (Sisa); Joseleo Logdat (Elias); Greg Abelardo de Leon (Pilosopo Tasyo); Nil's Flores and Ronaldo Villaruel Abarquez (Padre Damaso; Abarquez also plays Kapitan Tiago at certain performances); Miguel Espiritu (Kapitan Tiago); Noel Comia Jr. and Mari Yapjoco (Basilio), and Santino Juan Santiago (Crispin).

Also joining the cast are Mia Bolanos (Dona Victorina), Oliver Pineda (Tenyente Guevarra), Jose Mari Javato (Padre Salvi), Charina Althea Balmores (Sinang), Micah David J. Galang (Andeng), Krissan Manikan-Tan (Tiya Isabel), Timothy Racho (Alferez), Ruzzel Clemeno (Don Filipo), Tomas Virtucio (Albino/Linares), Lorenz Edward Sarrondo (Linares), Rare Jireh Yzel Columna (Victoria), and Renz Nathaniel Cruz (Manlilibing).

The large ensemble includes Roxanne Abuel, Neomi Giron, Eden Lorrice Dumlao, Sheila Gamo, Mavel Bautista, Cris Go, Krystl Buesa, Katrine Jamar Sunga, Angeli Benipayo, Elle Tuason, Erielle Fornes, Via Villasin, Marifel Motilla, Airo Saret, Kevin Chen, Michael Del Rosario, Charlene Ramos, and Otepp Billeza.

Co-directed by New York-based event stylist Jerry Sibal, who also does the set and costume design, and veteran actor-director Jose Jeffrey Camanag, featuring the 53-piece NOLI Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Herminigildo Ranera, "Noli Me Tangere, The Opera," which is based on the National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal's 1887 classic novel of the same name, tells the timeless story about love, betrayal, and hope set against a repulsive backdrop of tyranny, torture, and murder.

The artistic and design team for this much-awaited production also includes Raul Sunico, project director; Albert Figueras, co-costume designer; Dennis Marasigan, lighting designer; Ronan Ferrer, chorus master; Dingdong Fiel, pianist and assistant musical director; Alan Dela Rama, graphic and video designer; TJ Ramos, sound engineer, and Jojo Casim, production manager.

The opera is performed with English supertitles.

Performances: March 8 (Fri.-Gala), 8 p.m., March 9 (Sat.-Matinee), 2 p.m., and March 10 (Sun.-Matinee), 2 p.m.

Ticket Prices: Gala: Orchestra Center - P3,500, Orchestra Side/Parterre - P2,800, Balcony 1 Center-P1,500, Balcony 1 Center - P1,500, Balcony I Side - P1,200, and Balcony II Center & Side - P1,000

Matinee: Orchestra Center - P2,800, Orchestra Side/Parterre - P2,300, Balcony I Center - P1,400, Balcony I Side - P1,200, and Balcony II Center & Side - P900

50% off for students, 20% discount for senior citizens, PWD, government and military personnel

Ticket Outlets: J&S Productions Inc. (63)947 168 1714, (63)915 819 3459, or 632 998 2356, CCP Box Office 632 832 3704/06, or TicketWorld 632 891 9999, https://ticketworld.com.ph/

Major sponsors are Dusit Thani Manila, LumoXchange, UGEC, Ilustrado Restaurant, Las Casas Filipinas De Azucar, Pru Life UK, Aquabest, Pancake House, Chowking, Carlo Rossi, Pik-Nik, Raffa Sparkling, Gourmet Farms, Island Rose, MP School of Makeup Artistry, ARC Interiors & Events. RiteMed, Philippine Women's University, and Saint Paul University. Media partners include The Philippine Star, People's Journal, People's Tonight, Women's Journal. PTV, Chinoy TV, WhenInManila.com, SkedSearch, Fab Manila, Gololy, 98.7 DZFE, Wazzup Pilipinas, and Mark Francis Parallag Photography.

Video: Oliver Oliveros