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Tony Mabesa

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Tony Mabesa
Born
Antonio Ocampo Mabesa

(1935-01-27)January 27, 1935
DiedOctober 4, 2019(2019-10-04) (aged 84)
Manila, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Alma materUniversity of the Philippines Los Banos (BS)
University of California, Los Angeles (MFA)
University of Delaware (MS)
Occupation(s)Stage director, actor, professor
Awards Order of National Artists of the Philippines

Antonio "Tony" Ocampo Mabesa (January 27, 1935 – October 4, 2019) was a Filipino stage director, film and television actor, and professor. With a career spanning over 70 years, he was a founding father of Philippine university theater[1] and one of the most prominent theater directors in the country. For his work, he was known as a "Lion of the Theater".[2]

He founded the theater groups Dulaang UP and the UP Playwrights' Theatre.[3]

Early life and education

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Mabesa was born in Los Baños, Laguna. He entered high school at the University of the Philippines Rural High School, where he first directed a school production. He finished his degree in Agriculture at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, where he was mentored by Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero.[3] He was a member of the Upsilon Sigma Phi.[1][4][5]

He pursued a master's degree in theater arts at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1965, and a master's degree in education at the University of Delaware in 1969.[1] He took further studies in dramatic literature at the University of Minnesota.[6] While in the US, worked as a stage manager to Sir Tyrone Guthrie, where he "observed up close how a campus-based theater organization should be run and could work."[6]

Career

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Upon his return from studies abroad, Mabesa was offered a teaching position at the UP Diliman's Department of Speech Communications and Theater Arts. As an educator, Mabesa pushed for the establishment of a Baccalaureate program devoted to Theater Arts, which began in 1978, and a Master of Arts in Theater Arts Program at the UP Diliman Campus.[citation needed]

He founded the theater groups Dulaang UP (DUP) in 1976, the UP Playwright's Theater in 1980, and later on founded the Angeles University Foundation Reportory Theater in 2005.[1] In 1978, he served as Theater Director of the Manila Metropolitan Theater.[6]

Over the course of his career, he directed and produced over 170 productions. He mentored some of the country's most prominent theater artists, such as Shamaine Centenera, Irma Adlawan, Nonie Buencamino, Eugene Domingo, Frances Makil-Ignacio, and Neil Ryan Sese.[3]

Death

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Mabesa died on October 4, 2019, aged 84, in Manila.[7]

Filmography

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Film

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Television

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Year Title Role Network
1988
1993
Kap. Basilio
1995–97
Don Manolo Quintana
2002
Asturias
2005–06
Fidel dela Cerna
2007
Manolo
2007–08
Ben
2008
Tatang Pastor
Governor Fausto
Don Jaime Adriano
2009
Samuel
2009–10
Ramon Olivarez
2010
Cecilo Cortez
2010–11
Guru
2011
Nuno Umberto
Atty. Carlos Guevarra
2012
Victorino Penitente
2012–13
Saulo
2013–14
Father Andy
2015
John "Angkong" Tanchingco
2018
Manolo
2019
Pedro
(Last TV appearance)

Awards and legacy

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Awards

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Rappler.com (October 5, 2019). "LOOK BACK: Tony Mabesa, actor, director, and PH theater pioneer". Rappler. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  2. ^ Honasan, Alya B. (October 5, 2019). "Philippine arts and theater mourn death of Tony Mabesa". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c Charm, Neil (October 8, 2019). "Tribute show tonight for theater icon Tony Mabesa | BusinessWorld". BusinessWorld. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  4. ^ "Upsilon Sigma Phi to stage 'Bintao' as centennial offering". GMA News Online. November 11, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  5. ^ TDT (November 19, 2018). "Blazing trails in arts and culture". Daily Tribune. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c "Tony Mabesa: 'First of all, you have to be healthy to be in theater'". Inquirer Lifestyle. September 18, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  7. ^ Rappler.com (4 October 2019). "Veteran actor Tony Mabesa dies at 84". Rappler. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  8. ^ Jeepney TV (July 24, 2021). Ipaglaban Mo: Sana, Napupulot ang Pagmamahal (Full Episode 02) | Jeepney TV. YouTube. Google LLC. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  9. ^ Torrevillas, Domini M. "Events to remember". philstar.com. Retrieved 2020-06-23.