Tony Mabesa
Born
Antonio Ocampo Mabesa

(1935-01-27)January 27, 1935
Los Baños, Laguna, Philippine Islands
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, Film/Television 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

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][6] He took further studies in dramatic literature at the University of Minnesota.[7] 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."[7]

Career

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.

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.[7]

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

Mabesa died on October 4, 2019, aged 84, in Manila.[8]

Filmography

Film

Television

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

Awards and legacy

Awards

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Rappler.com (5 October 2019). "LOOK BACK: Tony Mabesa, actor, director, and PH theater pioneer". Rappler. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  2. ↑ Honasan, Alya B. (2019-10-05). "Philippine arts and theater mourn death of Tony Mabesa". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  3. 1 2 3 Charm, Neil (8 October 2019). "Tribute show tonight for theater icon Tony Mabesa | BusinessWorld". BusinessWorld. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  4. ↑ "Upsilon Sigma Phi to stage 'Bintao' as centennial offering". GMA News Online. 11 November 2018. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  5. ↑ TDT (2018-11-19). "Blazing trails in arts and culture". Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  6. ↑ "Tony Mabesa". IMDb. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  7. 1 2 3 "Tony Mabesa: 'First of all, you have to be healthy to be in theater'". Inquirer Lifestyle. 2015-09-18. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  8. ↑ Rappler.com (4 October 2019). "Veteran actor Tony Mabesa dies at 84". Rappler. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  9. ↑ Torrevillas, Domini M. "Events to remember". philstar.com. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
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