January 10, 2024

Social Inclusion and Equity

In the year 2009, at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, there emerged a passionate theater organization known as Obra Maskara. This organization was created with the intent of gradually introducing students to the world of Theatrical Arts. Its primary objectives were to nurture the talents of students and elevate the overall quality of their performances, particularly among those who had an eager flair for acting. The driving force behind the establishment of Obra Maskard was Mr. John Kennedy S. Esperanza, a.k.a. Jeyk, who served as the Creative Director and President of the organization. Under his leadership, Obra Maskara quickly gained prominence within the university. It played a pivotal role in fostering a love for theater arts among students by staging a variety of stage plays, skits, and other acting-related activities, enhancing the entertainment value of various celebrations. Among the ardent members were Arejay "Rej" Esperanza, Phillip Sapon, Girlie Lorca, Apple Losa, Jonard Irinco, Arjay Bacsal, Steve Benjamin Campos, and Ma. Carmela Silvestre. This dedicated group of talented individuals contributed significantly to the organization's reputation, and their outstanding efforts led to its impressive success. The acclaimed stage play "E-JUAN KO" stood out as a notable victory that underwent various adaptations at schools where Sir Jeyk and Sir Rej started their teaching careers. They established theater organizations as Teacher Coaches/Advisers, specifically Teatro Magnifico spearheaded by Sir Jeyk at Softnet ITC in 2012, and Teatro Vislumbre, by Sir Rej at Sunny Hillside School in 2014. In 2015, they rebranded Obra Maskara as Obratista (Obra ng mga Artista), operating independently to create stage productions and targeting various high schools for marketing. The successful staging of "PUSO NG PASKO" was a testament to the team's shared hard work. In 2018, Teatro Artistrico rose in Mariveles Senior High School Sitio Mabhay. This, again, was initiated by Sir Jeyk Esperanza. New set of talented students were discovered, dedicating their endeavor. As time moved forward, they renamed it Cinemabuhay. Over the years, the team's ensemble extended further as they firmly believed that they must keep the fire burning, fueled by their lifelong passion for acting and the aspirations they held for the younger generation. Despite members pursuing their individual careers, the spirit of genuine collaboration and unwavering support remained unbroken. On October 29, 2023, they revived the legacy of Obra Maskara, renaming it simply Obra. Their commitment led them to establish Obra as Mariveles Community Theater with new members on board namely Cris David Castro and Melany Camales from Teatro Magnifico; Jerime Baldomero and Jeruben Adame from Teatro Artistrico; Mac John Nuevo, Benjamin Rama, Justine Ramos, Kemp Phoenix Cero from Cinemabuhay. In this exciting phase, Obra has expanded its horizons to encompass a rich tapestry of artistic expressions, embracing the realm of stage plays and short films as the cornerstones of their creative venture. However, their journey doesn't stop there; Obra's vision includes a myriad of innovative ideas to foster ongoing growth and vitality. Obra is committed to community outreach, organizing workshops and educational programs to nurture the next generation of aspiring artists.