Fiestas y Muertos: Dulaang UP’s Noli Me Tángere
San Diego knows how to throw a fiesta. Dulaang UP’s Fiestas y Muertos asks what the town chooses not to see while it celebrates. The new adaptation of José Rizal’s Noli Me Tángere opens the company’s 49th Theatre Season on October 23, 2026, at the IBG-KAL Theater in UP Diliman, Quezon City.
José Estrella directs Andrew Estacio’s adaptation, which draws on National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario’s Filipino translation. Dulaang UP sets San Diego’s public festivities alongside the poverty, corruption and harm that its powerful residents conceal.
Familiar faces in San Diego
One role has already changed on the cast sheet: Pilosopo Tasyo is now Inay Dorang, played by Peewee O’Hara. Jerom Canlas plays Crisostomo Ibarra, Justine Peña plays Maria Clara, Ross Pesigan plays Elias, and Iris Montesclaros plays Sisa. Elora Españo appears as Salome, with Joseph Pe as Padre Salvi and Jojo Cayabyab as Padre Damaso.
Charles Yee designs the set and props, Carlos Siongco the costumes, Angel Dayao the sound and original music, and Barbara Tan-Tiongco the lighting. Dulaang UP closed its previous season with Ang Kaliitan ng Kasalukuyan. This season pairs Fiestas y Muertos with Nitrogliserina, a new play drawn from El Filibusterismo and planned for February 2027.
Dates and tickets
Opening night is Friday, October 23 at 7 PM. The run is scheduled through November 15, with evening shows and selected 2 PM matinees. As of October 20, some dates printed on the official poster are not selectable on Ticket2Me’s Fiestas y Muertos booking page. Check the live listing for bookable performances, and ask Dulaang UP about a poster date that does not appear there.
Regular tickets cost ₱1,200 online, with unassigned seating. Dulaang UP lists a ₱960 rate for senior citizens, PWDs, UP alumni and non-UP students, and ₱690 for UP students and employees on Friday shows. Ticket2Me asks seniors and PWDs to contact Dulaang UP Marketing before purchasing. Check with the company about booking the other discounted categories.
The production is rated PG. Doors open 30 minutes before curtain. Ticket2Me estimates about two hours, including any intermission, but says the final running time is still to be confirmed.