Tony Mabesa: Philippine Arts & Theater Mourns Death of Theater Icon

Philippine Arts & Theater Mourns Passing of Theater Icon Tony Mabesa

TONY MABESA – The Philippine arts theater mourned the passing of the award-winning artist and theater educator, Tony Mabesa.

Following a previous article, the family of the veteran actor Tony Mabesa confirmed that he died on Friday, October 4, 2019. He died surrounded by his family and close friends.

Mabesa is among the actors who spent decades in the entertainment industry. The theater actor and director is one of the casts of the Metro Manila Film Festival 2018 entry “Rainbow Sunset.” He worked closely with the late actor Eddie Garcia on the drama film.

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Photo Source: ABS-CBN News

Based on a report from Inquirer, the Philippine arts and theater mourn the passing of the veteran actor. He is among the pioneer of University Theater.

The “Lion of the Theater” studied at the University of the Philippines after studying Agriculture in Los Baños. He was mentored by Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero, a late national artist for theatre. In 1965, he finished his master’s degree in theater arts at the University of California.

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Photo Source: ABS-CBN News

At a state university, Tony Mabesa established the Dulaang UP and the UP Playwrights Theater. According to the report, he mentored several theater actors like Eugene Domingo, Nonie Buencamino, Shamaine Centenera, Frances Makil-Ignacio- Banaue Miclat, Irma Adlawan, Neil Ryan Sese, and many others.

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Photo Source: Brigada News

Based on the report, Mabesa once told Amadis Ma. Guerrero, “The relationship between a teacher/director and student artist is a delicate one… somehow, one’s role as a mentor of a student can be a most rewarding or a most frustrating one.”

He will surely be missed not only by his family but all the people he inspired and taught how to love theater arts and dedication.

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