When Theatre Replacement commissioned Anjela Magpantay as the 2024 COLLIDER artist-in-residence, the company had one condition. It wanted her to conceive a project that engaged in a global conversation around art-making through experimental and interdisciplinary practices.
In pursuit of this goal, Magpantay recalls the theatre company’s co-founder and artistic director, Maiko Yamamoto, asking what inspired her.
“I told her about a very different show and idea that I had,” Magpantay tells Pancouver. “But in my heart of hearts, what I really wanted to talk about was the cultural phenomenon of Balikbayan boxes.”
She explains that Filipinos abroad pack these large, cardboard Balikbayan boxes with thoughtful gifts before shipping them back to loved ones in the Philippines. Through her artist-in-residency, Magpantay chose to build a solo show on this topic, entitled it is for when you meet me. She will perform it on February 4 and 7 at the HOLD ON LET GO festival at the Russian Hall (600 Campbell Avenue) in East Vancouver.
“So, it is for when you meet me is a direct translation from the Tagalog word Pasalubong, which is a special kind of present that you get for someone when you go on a long journey.” Magpantay says.
The Simon Fraser University theatre graduate describes it as an “audience-interactive show”. Over the course of 50 minutes, she hosts the unpacking of a Balikbayan box.
“It’s definitely an offering to meditate on a loved one that you wish you could have given a present to, or given a last word to, but couldn’t because of distance,” the Luzon-born and B.C.-based multidisciplinary artist states. “I really hope that the audience members have the space to think about loved ones.”
Magpantay views gift-giving as expression of love
According to her, many overseas Filipino workers have one of these big boxes in their home. Since the 1970s, these workers have been filling them over time after shopping trips. They also add household items that they no longer need. Then, they will ship the box back home, often in time for Christmas.
It’s quite common for Balikbayan boxes to include consumer electronics devices, shoes, clothing, coffee, toiletries, snacks, and cans of Spam.
“I think this practice says a lot about how we express love,” Magpantay notes. “Filipinos express through gift-giving and not many words.”
The Philippines is an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands where more than 180 languages are spoken. The population now stands around 117 million.
“Not every Filipino will ever send a Balikbayan box or receive one,” she acknowledges. “But I think that it is very well-known across the country because one in 10 Filipinos…work abroad.”
In devising it is for when you meet me, Magpantay was supported through space residencies at Morrow from Odd Meridian Arts. She also received in-kind support from rice & beans theatre and Theatre Conspiracy.
Alexandra Caprara oversees lighting, set, and props; Andie Lloyd is in charge of projection, and Czarina Agustines is the lighting and set design assistant. Produced by Avyen von Waldenburg, it is for when you meet me includes animation by Ronnie Cheng and sound design, composition, and dramaturgy by Nancy Tam. Bernice Paet serves as stage manager and Argel Monte De Ramos is the cultural consultant and composer.
“I am joined with a team of amazing designers,” Magpantay states. “A lot of them have been long-time collaborators.”
Part of a Filipinx creative wave
She is thrilled to be part of the burgeoning Filipinx Canadian artistic wave in Vancouver. It includes choreographers Alvin Tolentino, Ralph Escamillan, and Joe Tuliao, as well as playwrights and theatre artists Abi Padilla, Kamila Sediego, and Davey Samuel Calderon, among others. There are also plenty of talented Filipinx Canadian visual artists, musicians, singers, and filmmakers.
“When I see all these amazing artists create—and express through their experiences and live their truth—I am so relieved,” Magpantay says. “At art school, there were barely any Filipinos.”
She discloses that as a theatre student several years ago, she sometimes felt quite lonely. She credits Maiko Yamamoto for keeping her on track.
“She was the first woman of colour that taught me in theatre,” Magpantay reveals. “She came at a time where I was about to quit theatre. I’ve followed her career since then, and I think that we’ve always stayed in touch. She was the first one to really put a fire underneath my ass.”
Magpantay also points to the late theatre director Bobby Garcia as another important mentor. He taught her the value of patience. Garcia also told her that she did not need to explain every choice that she makes as a director.
“He was very helpful that way and I think he’s still helping me now.”
The HOLD ON LET GO festival will present it is for when you meet me at 7 p.m. on February 4 and 2 p.m. on February 7 at the Russian Hall (600 Campbell Avenue). For tickets and more information, visit the festival website. Follow Pancouver on X @PancouverMedia and Instagram @PancouverMedia.
