Passions slip down the generations, and this play “Malacañang Made Us” demonstrates how difficult it is for the generations, despite their shared passion, to talk with each other about details.
Father – Martin (Mike Zarate) and Uncle – Ernie (Marcus Rivera) – were part of the millions in 1986 protesting against the Marcus regime on the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), a major highway in Manila. Their son – Leo (Mark Paguio) is an influencer using the tag @Bunsoybby.
He’s fascinated with the ESDA Revolution and records a version of it in a series on his social media, attracting over half a million followers. Ernie arrives from the Philippines at Martin and Leo’s Sunnybank home after leaving a thirty-year career as a flight attendant. The shared love for Ernie weaves between brothers and son ultimately disclosing the now “older and wiser” men’s involvement in EDSA.
Young Ernie / @Bunsoybby (Marty Alix) and Young Martin /@SisigKween (Miguel Usares) reenact the story of the night they were part of the people storming Manila’s Malacañang Palace – the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the Philippines / Executive branch of government. This enactment is brilliantly supported by photos of the event. They were two young boys, caught up in the thrill of defying an autocrat who assassinated his political opponent (Ninoy Aquino).
Leo now naively arranges a demonstration against Bongbong Marcus as he privately travels through Brisbane, unaware of the ferocity of power and of his father and uncle’s previous brush with it.
As in real life, neither Leo nor his father and uncle were active members of the revolution. They didn’t order the portaloos for EDSA, nor sit in meetings arranging the post-Marcus regime. Martin was a student at the University of the Philippines (UP). Ernie was a young boy.
But great moments in history affect everyone. These boys sat on Marcos’ throne. This play is the story of how the EDSA revolution affects one family from Sunnybank.
There is a lot in this play. It’s dense with dialogue, modern slang, historical references. The characters frequently burst into Tagalog.
It won writer Jordan Shea the Queensland Premier’s Award 2025. It weaves together family stories and the stories of domestic and international politics that accompany migration.
Directed by Kenneth Moraleda, “Malancañang Made Us” is a triumph for the QTC’s showcasing of stories of migrants from our Asian neighbourhood. These stories bring us together as a nation. And they remind us how similar we all are under the skin as we too avoid sharing details of our lives across generations.
Other Creatives who brought the show to the stage were Jeremy Allen (Set and Costume Designer), Christine Felmingham (Lighting Designer), Sam Cheng (Composer and Sound Designer), Nevin Howell (Video Designer) with their teams.
On at the Billie Brown Theatre until 1 November 2025.
Book here: Https://queenslandtheatre.com.au/plays/malacanang-made-us
Kerry McGovern
