Strengthening Pangasinan's Community Through Theater Arts
By Christian Ramoso
A thriving theater scene means a thriving community of storytellers, dreamers, and artists.
We all know that in Pangasinan, we take great pride in Salvador “Badong” Bernal, our National Artist for Theater Design, whose legacy continues to inspire new generations. That same artistic spirit is alive and well, kept strong by those who continue to nurture and uplift the creative industry, including Pangasinan Representative and champ of the Philippine creative industry, Christopher “Toff” de Venecia.
Nurturing Young Theater Artists in Pangasinan
In collaboration with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Congressman Toff helped bring a theater workshop to Pangasinan District 4, offering students a chance to immerse themselves in the performing arts.
Held on March 3-6, 2025, at Dagupan City National High School, the four-day workshop, Teatro Pandaragupan: A CCP Sining sa Eskwela Program, introduced participants to theater and music while deepening their connection to Pangasinan’s rich cultural heritage.
The workshop was guided by passionate and highly accomplished mentors who shared their expertise with the participants. JV Ibesate, a freelance artist, former Senior Member of the Tanghalang Pilipino, and a Philstage Gawad Buhay Awardee for Outstanding Male Lead Performance; TJ Ramos, a sound designer/engineer, composer, musical director, and a 4-time Philstage Gawad Buhay Awardee for Sound Design; and Tracey Santiago, a cultural manager, research and workshop designer, and a former Board of Trustee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites Philippines and the Nayong Pilipino Foundation.
More than just an educational experience, the program laid the groundwork for a culture-centered performing group committed to preserving and sharing community narratives through the arts.
Aside from this, the Galila Arts Festival, the brainchild of Congressman Toff, also introduced other activities related to performing arts in its first installment.
One of these was a puppetry workshop, where participants had the chance to immerse themselves in the craft alongside Kayla Teodoro and Lorenzo Canon of Puppet Theater Manila.
An Improv Workshop was also conducted by SPIT Manila, where participants had the chance to embrace the "yes" mindset and learn how to adapt in the moment. This served as a foundation for those interested in entering the world of improv theater. SPIT Manila has gained popularity for their online videos, which have captivated many audiences.
Communities Embracing the Art of Improv
It’s exciting to know that it doesn’t stop there—communities are also engaging in this form of art. One example is DCTY Arts Gallery (formerly DCTY Micro Gallery), a newly established art consultancy, which partnered with PlayMD PH to conduct an improv workshop led by Toto Carandang.
This dynamic and interactive session introduced participants to the basics of improv theater. It was both educational and entertaining, highlighting its potential applications in real life.
Keeping the Arts Alive from Bernal’s Legacy to Today’s Advocates
Many artists today struggle with limited budgets, making it difficult to bring their creative ideas to reality. But long before them, Badong Bernal proved that artistry is not defined by financial resources. Aware of the financial constraints in local productions, he pioneered the use of affordable materials like bamboo, raw abaca, hemp twine, rattan chain links, and gauze cacha.
His legacy continues to inspire artists to push creative boundaries, showing that passion and resourcefulness can turn limitations into masterpieces. Keeping this artistic spirit alive requires ongoing support for creativity, and one of the key figures championing this cause is Congressman Toff, a dedicated advocate for the creative industry, he works to make the arts more accessible and sustainable, not just as a policymaker, but as a creative himself.
Do you know why Congressman Toff is so passionate about the arts? It’s more than just part of his work; it’s something he has always been deeply connected to. Beyond his role in Congress, he is a play director, producer, writer, and former child actor. His love for theater began at Ateneo de Manila University, where he was actively involved in Ateneo Blue Repertory.
Now as the artistic director of The Sandbox Collective, he continues to bring meaningful productions to life, including Little Shop of Horrors, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Every Brilliant Thing, and Next to Normal, among others.
Believing that the future is creative, Congressman Toff provides platforms for young individuals to hone their skills because he was once like them, dreaming and striving to make a mark in theater arts.
From Dagupeño Roots to Theater Stardom
You might have come across this humble and talented Dagupeño theater actor, Benedix Ramos. He was first known as “Streamboy Apo ng Pangasinan” when he joined Pinoy Big Brother Kumunity Season 10: Celebrity Edition. After his time on TV, he transitioned into theater, making his debut in Ang Huling El Bimbo: The Musical (2023) as the understudy for Young Anthony.
Ben expressed on his social media that pursuing theater is one of the best decisions he’s ever made. He also shared that it’s a career that brings purpose to his life.
Since then, Ben has taken on more roles in theater. He played Rovic, originally portrayed by John Lloyd Cruz in the TV series, and Andoy in Tabing Ilog The Musical under PETA and Teatro Kapamilya. He also starred in Bar Boys The Musical, a stage adaptation of the 2017 film, where he took on the role of Eric Vicencio, originally played by Carlo Aquino. His most recent role was in Next To Normal (2025) under The Sandbox Collective, where he played the role of Gabe.
A New Home for Theater and the Arts in Pangasinan
As part of the ongoing efforts to enrich the community through arts, the Edades and Bernal Cultural Center and Museum will soon rise in Dagupan City. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on November 15, 2024, at Judge Jose de Venecia Sr. Highway, marking a significant step in preserving and celebrating local artistry.
Beyond honoring National Artists Victorio Edades and Salvador Bernal, the center aims to inspire future generations to keep the arts alive in the province. Its establishment was made possible under Republic Act No. 11726, ensuring that theater and cultural heritage continue to thrive in Pangasinan.
Empowering Emerging Artists
Creative projects like these, which help shape the skills of emerging artists, play an essential role in not only realizing the dreams of individual creatives but also in boosting the country's creative economy.
Through the initiative of Congressman Toff, the Creative Industries Act has been enacted. According to preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the domestic creative economy grew by 8.7% last year, contributing 7.3% to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This is now a big win for the creative industry and serves as an inspiration for young generations to keep pursuing their careers and passions in the arts.
The arts scene in Pangasinan is growing stronger, with passionate leaders like Congressman Toff and the enduring legacy of Salvador Bernal driving positive change. With programs that nurture young artists and the establishment of new spaces to celebrate our culture, Pangasinan is ensuring its creative traditions continue to inspire. This is a major win for the creative community and a reminder for future generations to pursue their passions and keep the arts thriving.