Fil-Spanish descendant of Jose Rizal leads 'Noli Me Tangere' opera

The Filipino-Spanish great grandnephew of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal is portraying the lead character Crisostomo Ibarra in an ongoing "Noli Me Tangere" opera. "Noli Me Tangere," a novel by Rizal, was first published in 1887 in Berlin, Germany. In a stage play version of "Noli Me Tangere," Rizal's great grandnephew Kuya Manzano, a singer and actor, will play the role of Ibarra, who in the novel, is a half-Filipino half-Spaniard character. In a news release distributed to the media, the camp of Manzano said he will be playing Ibarra in Dulaang UP's (DUP) "Noli Me Tangere" opera. Manzano's website said his performing dates have yet to be announced. Manzano just arrived from Spain five months ago to discover his Filipino roots. He has been performing for the last 13 years — acting and singing in musical theater, zarzuela, opera, spoken theater, TV, and films. Manzano performed in Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, China, and now the Philippines. Crisostomo Ibarra In the novel, Ibarra is the only descendant of the wealthy Spanish Don Rafael Ibarra. He was born and raised in the Philippines. However, he spent seven years in Europe to study. Upon returning to the Philippines, he found out that his father mysteriously passed away and his body ended up in a river. Ibarra decided to honor his father's memory by being kind and helpful as his father was. Ibarra fell in love with María Clara de los Santos, a wealthy young lady who later discovers that she was not the daughter of trader Capitan Tiago but of the Spanish priest Dámaso Verdolagas, who is described in the novel as snobbish, fierce, and talkative. UP play According to the Manzano camp's news release, "Noli Me Tangere" is directed by DUP Artistic Director Alexander Cortez. Music supervision are by Camille Lopez Molina and Pablo Mariano Molina. The pianist is Noel de la Rosa. The lead heroine "Maria Clara" will be performed by Elainne Vibal and Myramae Meneses. Arman Ferrer alternates as "Ibarra." - VVP, GMA News