The novel Mga Gerilya sa Powell Street will be given life on stage with Bembol Roco and Tommy Abuel alternating in the lead role. Tanghalang Pilipino stages its second offering for its 22nd theater season, after the successful run of Golden Child.

Written by Benjamin Pimentel, Gerilya uses the relentless rhythm of cable cars as the background for poignant recollections of elderly Filipino war veterans living in San Francisco, California.

Mr. Pimentel first came across the beteranos when he used to work for the San Francisco Chronicle. The former guerillas would often converge at a cable car station where they would swap ideas on patriotism and love for the homeland while battling loneliness, homesickness, and despair. Still, the Pinoys would often find humor despite the fact that they had to stay in cramped living quarters and endure the cold winter in Powell Street.

His conversations with the war veterans became the basis of a short story titled Waiting on Powell Street. He later expanded it into the Tagalog novel Mga Gerilya sa Powell Street, which was published in 2007 by the Ateneo de Manila University Press.

Adapted for the stage by Palanca award-winning playwright Rody Vera, Mga Gerilya sa Powell Street is a timely story that is both funny and heartrending at the same time. It will be shown from November 7 to 30 at the CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute, with evening performances (8:00 pm) every Friday and Saturday, and matinees (3:00 pm) every Saturday and Sunday. The play will be directed by Chris Millado, the director of the mega-hit shows Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah and Insiang.

Mga Gerilya sa Powell Street is a sure treat for students and followers of Philippine history and literature (especially novels); high school and college teachers and students of journalism, humanities and social sciences; and it is specifically directed for Filipino veterans and veteran organizations.

For ticket inquiries, please call Tanghalang Pilipino at 832-3667 or 832-1125.