Pagbutlak

Pagbutlak/Krizelle Blanza/File Photo

“For one night, you are part of something so gloriously stupid that it might just be the most honest thing you’ve ever experienced in UPV.”

These were the parting words of Alliana Escala, artistic director of The UP Intermedius, as she closed iMulat: iDogshow, a theatrical production that offered a satirical lens on the everyday realities of university life.

Held on Wednesday, April 9, at the CFOS AV Hall, the production featured a two-set theatrical format that recounted together the academic struggles and sentiments of UPV students—integrating humor, satire, and commentary.

“iMulat: iDogshow is beyond just poking fun at the administration,” Escala added. “It was made to poke fun at you [students] for taking life so seriously despite the administration treating you as a joke.”

The production, bold in its execution, remained committed to tackling key issues head-on. Escala emphasized that the play intentionally addressed the administration drawing attention to its role in the ongoing academic challenges faced by students.

Drawing inspiration from reality shows, films, and Philippine culture, each segment recreates common experiences at UPV, including the cutthroat pre-enlistment process during enrollment season, the unique student dynamics, and the hilarious rivalries between academic organizations.

In her monologue, host Arza Tolentino emphasized theater as a safe space for self-expression, asserting that art should not exist for its own sake, but rather as a tool for dialogue and meaning.

She called out the unjust education system, described activism as both dialogue and resistance, and underscored how social awareness can be manifested in humor,

Here’s a rundown of the six acts that made up iMulat: iDogshow:

The Hunger Games

Written by Doxford Perlas, Rosabel Maningding, Keith Domingo
Directed by Rosabel Maningding, Kyle Mangubat

Pagbutlak/Krizelle Blanza/File Photo

The Hunger Games portrayed the fiercely competitive pre-enlistment process, a familiar struggle for UPV students. In this segment, students fought to secure limited class slots amid the chaos of slow internet connections, system crashes, and the ever-present pressure of competing with their peers for enrollment. 

The intense race highlighted the frustrations and uncertainties that define the enrollment experience, offering a satirical yet relatable commentary on the challenges students face each semester.

The Jeepney

Written and directed by Tristan Villaflor

Pagbutlak/Krizelle Blanza/File Photo

The Jeepney took the audience on a road trip boarded with passengers from different walks of life sharing the confined space of a jeepney. Without any spoken dialogue, the skit relied solely on physical comedy, visual storytelling, the on-point sound effects and the actors’ expressive performances that brought the scene to life.

The Phantom of the Opera

Written and directed by Tristan Villaflor

Pagbutlak/Krizelle Blanza/File Photo

The Phantom of the Opera depicted a woman undergoing childbirth only for the husband to find out that he is not the father as the baby was inexplicably green. This draws inspiration from both the classic musicals, The Phantom of the Opera and Wicked.

Ang Corny

Written and directed by Alliana Escala

Pagbutlak/Krizelle Blanza/File Photo

Overflowing with intentionally bad jokes, cringe-worthy puns, and awkward pick-up lines, Ang Corny playfully poked fun at the administration, mocked posts from the UPV Community group, and made light of the quirks of degree programs and was further humorized by the inclusion of trending background songs.

Family Feud: Acad Orgs Edition

Written by Amanda Contemplacion, Roisa Amonoy
Directed by Amanda Contemplacion, Romar Jan Espeja

Pagbutlak/Krizelle Blanza/File Photo

Family Feud: Acad Orgs Edition humorously exaggerated the stereotypes associated with students from different academic organizations, showcasing their playful rivalries and overstated traits, all while offering a comedic twist on the popular game show format that previewed the dynamics of university culture.

Bidet

Bidet, a satirical commercial written by Doxford Perlas and directed by Amanda Contemplacion, parodied the deficiencies in campus facilities. Through a playful comparison of various restrooms on campus, the segment highlighted the contrasting conditions of each, using humor to underscore student frustration. The skit both entertained and served as a lighthearted commentary on the need for better campus facilities.

The show wrapped up with a musical finale led by Arza Tolentino, paying tribute to Nonoy Zuñiga’s “Magandang Gabi.” 

iMulat: iDogshow is part of UP Intermedius’ ongoing efforts to use performance art as a medium for reflection and discourse on student concerns. Through satire and creative expression, the production aimed to engage its audience in conversations about institutional issues, campus culture, and the lived realities of students in UPV.

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