FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City — The 7th Infantry "Kaugnay" Division's homegrown theatre group, Teatro Kaugnay, brought its original one-act musical "Liyab" to audiences at the Ricarte Hall, Headquarters Philippine Army, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on May 25, 2026, as part of the ongoing observance of National Heritage Month in the Philippines.
The musical, written and directed by Captain Ralph Andy L. Ranario, explores themes of nationalism, Philippine history, and national identity through an interweaving of culture and storytelling. The production received the personal endorsement of Army Chief Lieutenant General Nafarrete, who attended its matinee performance at Fort Bonifacio and publicly commended the cast and production team.
A final performance was scheduled for May 26, 2026, giving the public and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines a last opportunity to witness the production before its run concludes.
Army Chief Attends Matinee, Cites Role of Arts in National Consciousness
Speaking in Filipino following the matinee performance, Lt. Gen. Nafarrete highlighted the Philippine Army's commitment to supporting creative initiatives as a means of nurturing national consciousness among both military personnel and civilian audiences.
According to the statement released by Colonel Louie G. Dema-ala, Chief Public Affairs of the Philippine Army, Lt. Gen. Nafarrete stressed that Teatro Kaugnay had successfully interpreted the lessons drawn from Philippine history, and that the production had effectively ignited a sense of fraternity and nationalism among its viewers.
The Army chief's attendance and public remarks signal a deliberate institutional endorsement of the arts as a vehicle for civil-military engagement, particularly during observances tied to national identity and heritage.
Kaugnay Division Commander Founded the Theatre Group
7th Infantry Division Commander Major General Joseph Norwin D. Pasamonte is credited with conceptualizing and founding Teatro Kaugnay, with the stated vision of highlighting the importance of Philippine history and culture as the core foundation of national identity.
For the Fort Bonifacio staging, Maj. Gen. Pasamonte served as executive producer. The production was co-produced with private stakeholder KreativExpo Inc., reflecting a public-private partnership model for military-backed cultural programming. The Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations, OG7, partnered with the 7th Infantry Division to mount the production anew at Fort Bonifacio.
The collaboration between a military unit and a private creative entity to produce an original theatrical work is notable in the context of the Philippine Army's civil-military operations framework, which has increasingly incorporated cultural programming as a tool for community engagement and national awareness.
"Liyab" Previously Staged at Camp Aguinaldo in March
This was not the first staging of "Liyab." The musical made its earlier appearance on March 30, 2026, at the Tejeros Hall, Armed Forces of the Philippines Commission Officers Clubhouse, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
The Fort Bonifacio run in May represents a continuation of the production's tour within military installations, bringing the original work to different audiences within the AFP community and its guests. The two-venue run — first at Camp Aguinaldo and then at Fort Bonifacio — demonstrates a sustained commitment to presenting the musical beyond a single one-time performance.
The gap between the March staging in Quezon City and the May performances at Fort Bonifacio suggests that the production was deliberately timed to align with National Heritage Month, which is observed throughout May in the Philippines.
National Heritage Month Provides Context for the Production
National Heritage Month in the Philippines is observed every May, in accordance with Proclamation No. 439, Series of 2003, signed by then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The month-long observance is meant to promote and celebrate Filipino cultural heritage, history, and the arts.
Government agencies, educational institutions, and cultural organizations are encouraged to hold events, exhibits, and performances that reflect Philippine history and identity during this period. The staging of "Liyab" by the Philippine Army's Teatro Kaugnay fits squarely within this tradition, positioning the military not only as a security institution but also as an active participant in cultural life and heritage promotion.
The title "Liyab," a Filipino word that translates roughly to "flame" or "blaze," carries symbolic weight in the context of the musical's themes — evoking the passion and fervor associated with nationalism and patriotism. The use of an original Filipino-language script further underscores the production's commitment to centering Philippine culture and identity.
Captain Ranario's Script Challenges Audiences on Nationalism
At the heart of the production is the script by Captain Ranario, who also served as director. According to the Philippine Army's official statement, "Liyab" challenges its audience's understanding of nationalism by weaving together historical narrative, cultural expression, and questions of national identity.
The choice to have an active military officer serve as both writer and director speaks to the creative talent within the ranks of the Philippine Army, and reflects an institutional culture that, at least within the 7th Infantry Division, values artistic expression alongside traditional military discipline.
Cpt. Ranario's dual role as playwright and director places him at the center of one of the more distinctive cultural outputs to emerge from the Philippine Army in recent memory — an original, fully staged musical produced and performed by soldiers and military-affiliated artists.
Teatro Kaugnay as a Civil-Military Cultural Initiative
Teatro Kaugnay was established under the 7th Infantry "Kaugnay" Division, one of the major combined arms divisions of the Philippine Army. The word "Kaugnay," meaning "connected" or "linked" in Filipino, reflects the division's emphasis on forging bonds between the military and the communities it serves.
The theatre group represents an extension of this philosophy into the cultural sphere, using the performing arts as a bridge between the institution and the broader public. By staging original productions that draw on Philippine history and identity, Teatro Kaugnay positions the military as a steward of national culture — an approach consistent with the AFP's broader civil-military operations mandate.
The involvement of private partner KreativExpo Inc. in co-producing "Liyab" also suggests an openness within the military to collaboration with the private creative sector, potentially broadening the reach and production quality of future Teatro Kaugnay projects.
Audiences Still Invited to Final Fort Bonifacio Performance
As of the release of the Philippine Army's official statement, the final performance of "Liyab" at Ricarte Hall, Headquarters Philippine Army, Fort Bonifacio, was scheduled for May 26, 2026. Interested viewers and supporters were encouraged to attend the closing night of the production.
No ticket pricing details or public registration requirements were included in the official statement released by Col. Dema-ala's office. Those interested in attending were advised to contact the Philippine Army's public affairs office for further details on access to the Fort Bonifacio venue.
The Philippine Army has not released information regarding any future tour dates or additional stagings of "Liyab" beyond the May 26 performance, though the production's reception — including the personal commendation of the Army chief — may suggest continued interest in extending the musical's run or adapting it for broader civilian audiences in the future.
Photo credit: SSg. Cesar P. Lopez I PA/OCPA