Backgrounder

Adding to Alvin’s family background and hands-on experience in theater, Alvin learned basic acting from the Actors Workshop Foundation of the Philippines. Fired up by this professional input, Alvin founded his own theater group, “Teatro Malaya” and became its artistic director and workshop master since 1986. It started as an elective to Alvin’s high school students pioneered by Mike Martin (who later became one of Joonee Gamboa’s stage directors at the Barasoain Kalinangan), Windell Sanchez, Ruben Mascariñas, Shariff Tamay, Cora Lugtu and Cory Lugtu. The group evolved into a professional theater workshop group later on joined by commercial/movie actor, Jayvee Lara and prolific actors Ron Mosayda, Jon Atutubo and a host of versatile, young artists who would later on earn names for themselves in the field of arts. Awarded as the Best in Arts in Bulacan in 1993, Teatro Malaya eventually earned acknowledgment from the Cultural Center of the Philippines landing in the list of its recognized theater groups.                    
                                                           
With music still as his strongest influence, most of Alvin’s experimental plays and original productions were musicals. Writing his plays’ entire “libretto”, Alvin would apply live musical scoring with his current band/s.

Alvin’s Theatrical Works

Spanning more than 10 years include:

• “Ang Pasyon” – a street play on the passion and death of Jesus
• “The Night the Animals Talked”, “Somewhere Out There”, “The Christmas Angels” –
       a series of children’s musical fantasy plays
• “Ang Masa”, “Ano Ang Kulay ng Mundo?”, “Enkantita” – a series of comedy-musicals
       on the average Filipino life and his environment
• “Asaylum”, “FratNight sa Kalye 13” – experimental horror and suspense “shadow” plays
• “Ang Kulto” – a highly acclaimed “cinematic play” toured around Bulacan under Samahang   
       Kuatro, an alliance of Theater Groups of the District 4 of Bulacan
• “Yamang Likas” – a SSEAYP Batch ’94 production on Filipino culture and the environment staged at the CCP Theater and performed on board NIPPON MARU – a Japanese luxury ship - as the Batch’s cultural presentation to the international delegates of Southeast Asia and Japan
•  “Ang Pasko ni Mang Isko” – Alvin’s local version of “Scrooge” (A Christmas Carol)
•   “Sambahin Ka, Yahweh” – a Year of God the Father huge production sponsored by the Divine Mercy Shrine under Fr. Vic Robles as part of the Great Jubilee Year celebration; initially performed at the Bulacan Sports Complex, watched by thousands, and with repeat performances in different venues and events

Many of Alvin’s early works are catalogued and documented in the CCP’s list of theater groups and works.

Teatro Malaya Active Head Artists:

• Alvin Barcelona – Founder / Artistic Director    
    Head Facilitator - Acting / Music / Productions                      
• Jayvee Lara – Commercial Model / Movie and Stage Actor
          Co-Director / Facilitator - Acting Workshops / Theater Productions                                     
• Allan Barcelona – Theater Arts Trainer, La Salle University, Ozamis City
                 Co-Director / Facilitator - Dance & Movements / Acting / Productions
• Claire Aguilos-Roca – Paco Catholic School Ballet – Founder, Teacher-Trainer
                       Facilitator - Dance Workshops / Productions
• James Aguilos –   Himaya Band Co-Founder; Visual (Painting) Artist
    Facilitator - Music / Visual Arts Workshops / Technical Productions