Filipino American Ensemble Reimagines Story of Migrant Farm Worker in "Tear It Up"
Southland Sessions Presents: From high school operas and drive-thru art exhibitions to Chicano comedies and underground DJ sets—we are showcasing the vibrancy of arts and culture across our city today.
Filmed and edited during quarantine, here’s a re-imagined scene from the short story, "The Romance of Magno Rubio," written by Carlos Bulosan.
Title: Tear It Up Magno - Quarantine Music Video
Written by: Lonnie Carter, Knowa Lazarus and Charles Uy
Directed and Edited by: Charles R. Uy
Choreography by: Jasmine Rafael
2nd Unit Director: Jerisse de Juan
Music produced by: Flava Matikz of Q-York
Performed by:
Alan Ariano
Lawrence Benny Achivida
Danny Bernardo
Eymard Cabling
Cesar Cipriano
Erick Esteban
Flava Matiikz
Knowa Lazarus
Mike Palma
Kevin Perdido
AJ Rafael
John John Martin Tarrayo
Rodney To
Reuben Uy
Anthea Neri Best
Veronica Cabling
Nassim Khaligh
Jasmine Joy Rafael
Tyler Kenneth Stafford
Minverva Benedicto Vier
Bree Wernecke
Special Thanks:
Ma-Yi Theater
Marc Macalintal
Joan Almedilla
Jake Pesquira
CJ Uy
“Tear It Up” is a re-imagined excerpt from a Hip-Hop Filipino American Musical based on the short story, "The Romance of Magno Rubio," written by Carlos Bulosan and the award winning stage play produced by Ma-Yi Theater Company.
To escape the doldrums of working as a migrant farm laborer, Magno Rubio’s bunkmates take him to Jezebel's dancehall, where they pay 10 cents a dance for companionship. The Manongs happen to be amazing dancers. By the time the song ends, Magno begs his friends to stop but is pulled in to dance and ultimately relents and finally tears it up!
About the Project
Filmed under quarantine, “Tear It Up” was written by Lonnie Carter, Knowa Lazarus and Charles Uy, choreographed by Jasmine Rafael, music produced by Flava Matikz of Q-York, directed and edited by Charles R. Uy, with an international cast that hopefully captures the style and energy of the Manongs.
The Manongs, which translates to “older brother,” were the Filipinos who left the Philippines to follow their American Dream in the 1920s through the 1930s. They were the essential workers of their time who helped feed America throughout the Great Depression. They faced hardships along with racism. They became scapegoats amongst other Asians during those tough economic times.
