The world premiere of Malacañang Made Us at Queensland Theatre this October is a powerful contemporary statement. The play tackles the 1986 People Power Revolution (EDSA) that toppled the dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. But as the Philippines grapples with recent, massive street protests against corruption, and with the country currently led by the dictator’s son, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the production’s themes of corruption, political dynasties, and generational reckoning are more urgent than ever.
The story follows two Filipino brothers – separated by the revolution and later reunited in Brisbane alongside a politically charged new generation – proving that the fight for accountability is a legacy passed down through family. This production is a passion project, unapologetically “for us, made by us and our allies” (Moraleda) with more than half of the core team members identifying as Filipino or Filipino-Australian.
The production is helmed by two of the most significant Filipino-Australian creatives in Australian theatre. Jordan Shea, an award-winning Filipino-Australian playwright and VCA graduate, is bringing the work to life after winning the prestigious Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2025 for this script. For him, centering these stories is deeply personal: “As a Filipino-Australian myself, centring these voices isn’t a choice so much as a necessity. It’s who we are, and it’s the lens through which I see and share stories.”
He is joined by Director Kenneth Moraleda, an esteemed NIDA graduate, actor and winner of the Vic Silayan Award for Best Actor for the film Lucky Miles. Together, they co-founded the production company, Kwento, to champion these narratives. Moraleda emphasises their shared mission of “lifting up Filipino-Australian stories, along with the actors and creatives involved in our projects”.
The play’s central conflict –the lingering shadow of the Marcos regime – has taken on striking relevance in the current political moment. In 1986, two brothers stormed Malacañang Palace; decades later, they reunite in Australia as a new generation, represented by Martin’s son Leo, is demanding change.
Veteran actor and singer Marcus Rivera (Ernie), who migrated from Manila in 1987 and is known for playing The Engineer in Miss Saigon Australia and other productions, shares that this opportunity feels like a career-defining moment. “It feels like a homecoming and a breakthrough all at once… To now share our stories on the Queensland Theatre stage – one of Australia’s most respected theatre companies – feels like a validation of everything our community brings to Australian arts. It’s deeply moving to know that Filipino-Australian stories deserve a platform like this.”
Acclaimed actor Marty Alix (Young Ernie), a VCA graduate who won a Sydney Theatre Award for their performance in Hamilton Australia, highlights the play’s cultural significance in using the national language: “It feels incredibly monumental. I believe this is the first time Tagalog will be spoken on a mainstage in Australian theatre. Filipino Australians make one of the largest Filipino diasporas, yet it is rare to see our language, culture and the nuances of intergenerational Filipino dynamics at the centre of the action.”
The cast also features screen star Mark Paguio (Leo), who starred in the Netflix film Spiderhead and is an AACTA Award-winner for The Unusual Suspects, alongside Miguel Usares (Young Martin) and Brisbane-based performer Michael Zarate (Martin). Behind the scenes, the creative team includes Jeremy Allen (Set and Costume Designer), Christine Felmingham (Lighting Designer), Samantha Cheng (Composer and Sound Designer), Nevin Howell (Video Designer), Madeleine Barlow (Associate Set and Costume Designer), and Briana Clark (Assistant Lighting Designer), with David Wotherspoon (Design Placement), Jacinta Way (Stage Manager), and Tia-Hanee Cleary (Assistant Stage Manager).
Ultimately, the team hopes the play will resonate deeply and encourage open discussion among families, particularly given the current political climate where historical memory is contested. “Most of all, I hope the play sparks conversations about the past—conversations that may be challenging, but also enlightening. This story is for everyone who has ever wanted to dig into their family history, pull at the threads of memory and unleash a wave of discovery and connection,” Shea shared his hopes for the audience takeaway.
Malacañang Made Us is now showing at the Bille Brown Theatre, Queensland Theatre, running from 18 October to 1 November 2025. The 90-minute production explores the intersections of power and memory in a gripping stage narrative. Tickets are priced at $35 (35 & Under), $68 (Concession), and $70 (Adult). For tickets and details, visit queenslandtheatre.com.au/plays/malacanang-made-us.
