| Tony MabesaONA | |
|---|---|
| Born | Antonio Ocampo Mabesa (1935-01-27)January 27, 1935 Los Baños, Laguna, Philippine Islands |
| Died | October 4, 2019(2019-10-04) (aged 84) Manila, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Alma mater | University 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 ONA (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 and one of the most prominent theater directors in the country. For his work, he was known as a "Lion of the Theater".
He founded the theater groups Dulaang UP and the UP Playwrights' Theatre.
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. He was a member of the Upsilon Sigma Phi.
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. He took further studies in dramatic literature at the University of Minnesota. 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."
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. In 1978, he served as Theater Director of the Manila Metropolitan Theater.
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.
Death
Mabesa died on October 4, 2019, aged 84, in Manila.
Filmography
Film
- Rosa Mistica (1988)
- Macho Dancer (1988) – Customer 1
- Tukso Layuan Mo Ako! (1991)
- Ipagpatawad Mo (1991) – EENT Doctor
- Sa Isang Sulok ng Mga Pangarap (1993)
- Kadenang Bulaklak (1994) – Mr. Benigno Doctolero
- Pangako ng Kahapon (1994) – Bishop
- The Maggie dela Riva Story: God... Why Me? (1994) – Appeal lawyer
- Iukit Mo sa Bala (1994) – Padre Celso
- Ang Ika-Labing Isang Utos: Mahalin Mo Asawa Mo (1994) – Priest
- Redeem Her Honor (1995) – Rosendo's lawyer
- The Flor Contemplacion Story (1995) – Foreign Affairs Sec. Roberto Romulo
- Closer to Home (1995) – Señor de Villa
- Muling Umawit ang Puso (1995) – Sen. Labrador
- Kristo (1996) – Caifás
- Bilang Na ang Araw Mo (1996) – Sen. Cepeda
- Bakit May Kahapon Pa? (1996) – Colonel Baluyot
- The Sarah Balabagan Story (1997) – Foreign Affairs Sec. Domingo Siazon
- José Rizal (1998) – Governor-General Camilo de Polavieja
- Katawan (1999) – Don Villaverde
- Mister Mo, Lover Ko (1999) – Priest
- Azucena (2000) – Tomas' boss
- Abandonada (2000) – Atty. Mallonca
- Deathrow (2000) – Governor Asunta
- Mila (2001) – Mr. De Castro
- Walang Kapalit (2003) – Mr. Cesar Rustia
- Filipinas (2003) – Father Manalo
- Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita (2004) – Mayor Aldecoa
- Pacquiao: The Movie (2006) – Ruben Novales
- Mano Po 5: Gua Ai Di (2006) – Ang Kong
- Ploning (2008) – Susing
- Fuchsia (2009) – Mayor Sunga
- Father Jejemon (2010) – Fr. Baby
- Niño (2011)
- Migrante (2012)
- The Mistress (2012) – Maestro Emil
- El Presidente (2012) – Gen. Echaluche
- Bayang Magiliw (2013)
- Lihis (2013)
- She's the One (2013)
- Bride for Rent (2014) – Mr. Benjamin
- Maybe This Time (2014) – Pancho
- Past Tense (2014) – Lolo Jules
- Felix Manalo (2015) – Pastor Guillermo Zarco
- Rainbow's Sunset (2018)
- Clarita (2019)
Television
- Villa Quintana (1995–1997)
- Vietnam Rose (2005)
- Pasan Ko ang Daigdig (2007)
- Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita (2008)
- Una Kang Naging Akin (2008)
- May Bukas Pa (2009)
- Basahang Ginto (2010)
- My Little Juan (2013)
- Maalaala Mo Kaya (2014)
- FPJ's Ang Probinsyano (2015)
Awards and legacy
Awards
- Best Supporting Actor, 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival: Rainbow's Sunset (2018)
- Gawad CCP Para sa Sining awardee for Theater (2015)
- Upsilonian, Noble and Outstanding (UNO) Award
- Order of National Artists of the Philippines (2022)
References
- ^ Rappler.com (October 5, 2019). "LOOK BACK: Tony Mabesa, actor, director, and PH theater pioneer". Rappler. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- Honasan, Alya B. (October 5, 2019). "Philippine arts and theater mourn death of Tony Mabesa". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- ^ Charm, Neil (October 8, 2019). "Tribute show tonight for theater icon Tony Mabesa | BusinessWorld". BusinessWorld. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- "Upsilon Sigma Phi to stage 'Bintao' as centennial offering". GMA News Online. November 11, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- TDT (November 19, 2018). "Blazing trails in arts and culture". Daily Tribune. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- ^ "Tony Mabesa: 'First of all, you have to be healthy to be in theater'". Inquirer Lifestyle. September 18, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- Rappler.com (4 October 2019). "Veteran actor Tony Mabesa dies at 84". Rappler. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
- Jeepney TV (July 24, 2021). Ipaglaban Mo: Sana, Napupulot ang Pagmamahal (Full Episode 02) | Jeepney TV. YouTube. Google LLC. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
- Torrevillas, Domini M. "Events to remember". philstar.com. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
- National Artists of the Philippines
- 1935 births
- 2019 deaths
- 20th-century Filipino male actors
- 21st-century Filipino male actors
- ABS-CBN people
- Filipino artists
- Filipino male dramatists and playwrights
- Filipino male film actors
- Filipino male television actors
- Filipino theatre directors
- GMA Network (company) people
- Male actors from Laguna (province)
- People from Los Baños, Laguna
- TV5 Network people
- University of California, Los Angeles alumni
- University of Delaware alumni
- University of the Philippines Los Baños alumni