To honor Jose Rizal’s 130th martyrdom anniversary, Dulaang UP presents Fiestas y Muertos, a modern reinterpretation of Rizal’s novel Noli me Tangere designed for contemporary audiences. The play explores two contrasting, emotionally charged worlds: the vibrant, often insincere celebrations of public fiestas and the stark, unsettling truth of systemic decline and mortality (muertos). This juxtaposition emphasizes societal issues in Spanish-colonial San Diego, where the elite use lavish religious festivals to conceal poverty, corruption, and psychological turmoil. Through this approach, the production shifts from a traditional historical drama to a lively, ritualistic cycle reflecting life, death, and societal spectacle. The play premieres on October 23, 2026, and will run for three weeks at the IBG-KAL Theater at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Jerom Canlas (Ibarra) and Ross Pesigan (Elias) lead a cast including Justine Peña (Maria Clara), Elora Españo (Salome), Peewee O’Hara (Teodora Anastacia), Jojo Cayabyab (Damaso), Joseph Pe (Salvi), Kiki Beanto (Victorina), Iris Montesclaros (Sisa), and the Dulaang UP ensemble. Directed by José Estrella (ACC 2007), the adaptation was written by Andrew Estacio. The artistic team also features Sir Anril Tiatco (ACC 2024) and Jem Javier (Dramaturgy), Charles Yee (Set, ACC 2020 and 2021), Carlos Siongco (Costume), Barbara Tan-Tiongco (Lights, ACC 2002 and 2009), Angel Dayao (Music and Sound), Joyce Garcia (Video, ACC 2025), and Al Bernard Garcia (Movement).