Eilyn Lamadrid Nidea, of Ragay, and Tigaon, Camarines Sur, is a cultural worker whose creative energy is unmatched in the tireless promotion of the Bikol language, performing arts, literature, and culture.

She is a prodigious writer of poetry, plays, creative non-fiction, and fiction. She has extensively done literary adaptations and translations. Her works have been published in several literary folios, anthologies and journals, both in print and digital forms. Pangaturogan, her first poetry chap book is part of the Parasurat Bikolnon Writers Series released in October 2020. She is also a collaborator/editor for Bikol stories for Let’s Read Asia website. She is a recognized/licensed author, editor, and translator by the National Book Development Board (NBDB).

She won in the essay category of the 2009 Premio Tomas Arejola para sa Literaturang Bikolnon (PTALB) with her entry Buhay Riles (Life on the Railways), a glimpse of the skates industry in the railroad town of Ragay; and in the 2021 Tanaga sa Pandemya competition co-sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA), and Savage Mind: Arts, Books, Cinema.

On December 27, 2015, she co-founded Teatro Ragayano (TR), a semi-professional community theater based in Ragay, and staged Gamgam, her adaptation of Carlos A. Arejola’s experimental play Mga Ibong Hapo sa Mainit na Alas Siyete. She played the lead role of Sepa in Kuwintas, Carlos A. Arejola’s adaptation of Linda Ty-Casper’s The Transparent Sun, staged in September 2017. For the third season, TR staged her back-to-back eco-musicals Sulog nin Pagkamoot, which she read at the Women Playwrights International Philippines (WPIP) Readathon at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) on March 23, 2017; and The More of Life, an adaptation of Trina Paulus’ Hope for the Flowers.

She acted in the Bikol independent films Angustia (2013) and Hinulid (2016), both by Kristian Sendon Cordero, Sayaw sa Butal (2016) by Victor Dennis T. Nierva, and Mga Kaontokan/Silences (2018) by Jerome M. Hipolito.

She performed a monologue Woman Death on April 28, 2022 during the 2^nd Pista nin Teatrong Bikolnon at Ayala Malls, Legaspi City; as Lola in Bernardo O. Aguay, Jr.’ Gatol in November 2022 during the PedXing Kolab Series of Sining Banwa;  Sisa in Aguay, Jr’s Sakristan Mayor at the 13^th Tanghal National University and Community-Based Theater Festival, Alaminos City Sports Complex, Alaminos City, Pangasinan on November 4-5, 2019, and as a granddaughter in her interpretation of Honesto M. Pesimo Jr.’s Tandang Sora poem during the launch of his book Sa Ngaran nin Aki at Kape Naga, Naga City on February 01, 2020.

During the COVID 19 pandemic, she wrote several plays, as part of her Zine in Quarantine collection. Tagubhang sa Daghan won first place in the Gawad Obrang Literaturang Bikolnon (GOLB) in May 2020. Litanya ng mga Manggagawa was among the top 10 plays selected to be read dramatically for the PedXing Kolab Series 3 via Sining Banwa FB Page on January 15, 2021. It is also featured in Sulo: Teatro sa Bikol sa Panahon kan Pandemya (2022) by Richard D. Madrilejos. Kawat ni Juana, a monologue on child abuse was performed by Rebecca Jaira E. Paz of Teatro Ragayano at the Sining Paghilom, Project Sumpay by Sining Banwa on July 13, 2020; and restaged in 2021 in Naga City for the collaboration with Zonta Club of Naga and Camarines Sur, performed by Jhayne C. Ducay.

She participated at the Palihang Rogelio Sicat 14 (online) as a fellow for dula on May 24, 2021. She was a fellow for rawitdawit at the 2009 Juliana Arejola Fajardo Workshop for Literaturang Bikolnon.

She is a member of the Parasurat Bikolnon, an organization of Bikol writers and cultural workers, She has been featured as a lecture speaker in the November 2023 webinar series of SICCLAB (Sipocotenos’ Initiative to Calibrate Culture, Literature, and the Arts in Bicol) organized by the College of Education Extension Services of the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) in Sipocot. She spoke about the origins of Teatro Ragayano and its impact on individuals and the community. She is an advocate for the environment, gender equality, reading and mental welness.

Her advocacy in theater gave birth to Arte Pandananon, a community theater based in Libod, Pandan, Catanduanes, through Daphne Kaye L. Avila’s Chief Girl Scout Medal Scheme Project, Cultural Heritage Theater Workshop with Odeza Sy as her adviser. AP’s performances are tied to the town’s devotion to the Santisima Trinidad.

Her advocacies in reading and children’s rights helped put up Ragay Bikoliana section at the Ragay Municipal Library, and the Brgy.  Liboro Community Library through book and artwork donations from authors, cultural workers, artists, art enthusiasts, and former students. Her advocacies for gender and development, the environment, healthy lifestyles and mental wellness sustain her commitment and contribution to join groups and efforts through her personal campaigns, her literary publications, and creative performances and pursuits.

She teaches English and literature subjects at Ragay National Agricultural and Fisheries School (RNAFS), Liboro, Ragay, Camarines Sur.

(Header Image and References: provided by Teatro Ragayano)

PERFORMANCES

• Pagsirang Event: Honesto Pesimo, Jr., Di na Kita Kilala, Umaga Book launch, Por Da Luv Foodhouse, Naga City, November 11, 2023 (via recorded video)
• Spoken word performances, Sa Kada Pagbulus, Susong-Dalaga Sojourns and Libtong, Rigmat Arts and Culture Festival, Naga City, August 18-19, 2023
• Spoken word performances, Sining ng Babae, Ako si Hope Pagsirang event, Por Da Luv Foodhouse, Naga City, April 29, 2023
• Woman Death Monologue, Pista nin Teatrong Bikolnon, Ayala Malls, Legaspi City, April 28, 2023
• I am Woman Monologues, PUP Ragay Cultural Night, December 12, 2022
• Hamot kan Pagkamoot and Kontradiksiyon, Poem Petals Event via Sining Banwa FB Page, February 16, 2022
• Dramatic Monologue of Ayen Characters and Dramatic Reading of Marissa Redburn’s Saringsing vs. Irvin Sto. Tomas’ Sarumsom, Ginisang Poesia book launch, Naga City Ecology Park, November 30, 2021
• As Purificacion in Bernardo O. Aguay’s Gatol, PedXing Kolab Series 4, online streaming via Malaya Paglikha Private FB Page, November 19, 2021
• Diktador Speech in collaboration with Bikultura Film Collectives, September 21, 2020, and with SONAgkaisa in collaboration with Sining Banwa, July 28, 2020
• As a granddaughter in her interpretation of Honesto M. Pesimo Jr.’s Tandang Sora poem during the launch of his book Sa Ngaran nin Aki at Kape Naga, Naga City on February 01, 2020.
• As Sisa in Bernardo O. Aguay, Jr’s Sakristan Mayor at the 13^thTanghal National University and Community-Based Theater Festival, Alaminos City Sports Complex, Alaminos City, Pangasinan on November 4-5, 2019
• Her other roles were: as Teacher in Jerome M. Hipolito’s short film Mga Kaontokan (2018); as Sepa in Carlos A. Arejola’s Kuwintas (2017); as Alona in Victor Dennis T. Nierva’s Sayaw sa Butal (2016); as Babaylan in Kristian Sendon Cordero’s Hinulid (2016) & Angustia (2013)

STAGED PLAYS

• Woman Death Monologue (Pista nin Teatrong Bikolnon), April 28, 2023, Ayala Malls, Legaspi City
• Litanya ng Manggagawa (Manay, Manay: The Bikolana Playwrights Festival), March 30-April 02, 2023, Pasakalye Blackbox, Legaspi City
• Pagdusay sa Patalunan (flashplay), Pedxing KoLab Series 5, Pasakalye Blackbox, Legaspi City, November 12, 2022
• Sulog (shortened version, online) 16^th Tanghal Festival, February 2022
• Dagom (flashplay, online) Pedxing KoLab Series 4, November 20, 2021
• Dakit/Tawid (online) 15^th Tanghal Festival, October 2021
• Awit ng Diwata ng Susong Dalaga (semi-musical monologue), Zonta Club of Naga and Camarines Sur-sponsored event for Gender-based Violence advocacy, December 10, 2021
• Kawat ni Juana (monologue) Zonta Club of Naga and Camarines Sur-sponsored event for Gender-based Violence advocacy, December 10, 2021
• Wakas na nga Ba? Si Kamatayan sa Gitna ng COVID ’19 (monologue) Gemino H. Abad Workshop for Creative Writing, September 2021
• Litanya ng mga Manggagawa (flashplay, online), PedXing Kolab Series 3, February 2020
• The More of Life musical, Teatro Ragayano, February 2018
• Si Salvador sa Kahadian kan Bakawan (performative reading), October 2018
• Sulog nin Pagkamoot musical, Teatro Ragayano February 2018
• Gamgam, Teatro Ragayano, February 2016′

PUBLICATIONS

• Kurit-Surat: Ekphrasis explorations for Project ALL: Art for Lifelong Learning Resource Book, (co-authored with Anabel A. Haber and Georgette I. Imperial), March 2023
• Halalan sa Gitna ng Pandemya: Mga Sumbong kay Kurdapya (CNF), DX Machina 5, UP ICW, 2022
• Chapter 5 Regionalism and Feminism in Eilyn Nidea’s Litanya ng Manggagawa in Sulo Teatro sa Bikol sa Panahon kan Pandemya by Richard D. Madrilejos, NCCA, 2022
• Litanya ng Manggagawa flash play, Sulo Teatro sa Bikol sa Panahon kan Pandemya by Richard D. Madrilejos, NCCA, 2022
• Unraveling Layers: My Journey as a Reader (on The Stage page posted December 02, 2022)
• Baris, Parasurat Bikolnon FB Page, April 19, 2022
• Biyahe (tanaga), Lugaw ni Leni, Pink Parol, KKK, Kakampink at iba pa, April 17, 2022
• Oda sa Kurumbot, Parasurat Bikolnon FB Page, April 14, 2022
• Nangaturog na Pangaturogan, Parasurat Bikolnon FB Page, April 05, 2022
• Libtong (from Mga Tulang Hawan ng Camarines Norte), Parasurat Bikolnon FB Page, April 02, 2022
• Batlay sa Pagkaaga/A Walk Toward the Light: The Santissima Trinidad Devotion in Libod, Pandan, Catanduanes, 2021 (as translator and editor)
• Yana at Zed Laban sa COVID ’19 (story book) as editor, Project ANTON: DRRM Children’s Guide Series, 2021
• GMA News Online Interviews by Mark Angeles for Pitong Pantigtanaga anthology, April 18, 2021
• Lupad nin Agimadmad, with translation Lipad ng Kamalayan (poetry), CCP Ani 41 literary journal, April 07, 2021
• Hinabing Alaala (poetry), CCP Ani 41 literary journal, April 07, 2021
• Love Beyond Measure (poetry), CCP Ani 41 literary journal, April 07, 2021
• Biyahe (tanaga), Pitong Pantig, Pintig at Pagitan, Palihang Lira, April 16, 2021
• Litanya ng mga Mangggawa (flash play), PedXingKolab Series 3, January 15, 2021 via live streaming on Sining Banwa page
• Paradangin (translation of Bayani by U.Z. Eliserio, short story) UELISERIO.NET
• As Editor: An Mga Naglalayog na Gapo (story for children) by Kim P. Alarcon, published in Let’s Read website
• As Editor: Si Kurakog, Kataning sa Pagturog (story for children) by Anthony B. Diaz, published in Let’s Read website
• Pangaturogan Chap Book (poetry), PB Writers Series October 2020
• Nin Huli ta Dai nang Ribok (poetry), Burabod Peace Express 2 FB Page, September 26, 2020
• Sonnet ni COVID ’19 (poetry), Himoloan.Wordpress.com, September 15, 2020
• Andam na Ako Magpuli (poetry), Himoloan.Wordpress.com, September 15, 2020
• Ito ang Aking Panahon (poetry), Ateneo de Naga Student Council Pluma Page, August 26, 2020
• Juana (a monologue), performed by Rebecca Jaira E. Paz of Teatro Ragayano, Sining Paghilom, Project Sumpay by Sining Banwa, July 13, 2020
• Hindi na Nag-aabang si Ava (story for children), Online storytelling by Rebecca Jaira E. Paz of Teatro Ragayano, Sining Paghilom, Project Sumpay by Sining Banwa, May 18, 2020
• Madya, Maghinaw Na (poetry in quarantine), PB Online poetry reading by Bernardo Miguel O. Aguay, Jr.
• The Innocents, Pauwi Na Ako, Mahal, Pauwi Na Ako, Mahal, Stay at Home (poetry in quarantine), ADNU SHS AD-2D AVFX FB page, April 8-25, 2020
• Hinabol na Girumdom (poetry), KJS Magazine, 2018
• Digdi sa mga Baybayon nin Ragay (essay), 3^rd Season Playbill, Teatro Ragayano, 2018
• Si Aurelio Tolentino at ang Dulaang Filipino (essay), The Heart in Theater (essay), and Pagmamahal ang Sandigan (finale song), Kuwintas and Panaghoy Playbill, Teatro Ragayano, 2017
• Echoes of Buhi (personal essay), Project Susog, Buhi, Camarines Sur, 2017
• An Misteryo kan Surat Kamot (translation), Lambang Ika, Kita Gabos (Czech Author Karel Capek short stories), Ateneo de Naga University Press, 2017
• Give Until It Hurts for the Theater Demands Total Giving of Self (essay), Panaghoy ng Kalikasan Playbill, Teatro Ragayano, Ragay, Camarines Sur, 2017
• The Literary Adaptation Experience (essay), Hawla and Gamgam Playbill, Teatro Ragayano, 2016
• Of Animals and Memories (creative non-fiction), Ani 39, Ang Kahayupan, Cultural Center of the Philippines, 2016
• Pagbaklay (erotic poetry), Girok, Ani 38, Ang Katawan, Cultural Center of the Philippines, 2014
• Fluvial Sa Ragay (poetry), Susog Salog Bikol River Arts and Culture Initiative Manual for Teachers, Ateneo de Naga University, 2016
• Awakening (erotic poetry) and Sa Salog (poetry) Tilad 3, Mati (Emotions), Ateneo Literary Association Online Folio, 2015
• Buhay – Riles (creative non-fiction), Rimpos Literary Folio, Ateneo de Naga University, 2015
• The Journey (translation of Pagbaklay), Ani 38, Ang Katawan, Cultural Center of the Philippines, 2014
• The Nurturing: Inspiration from Rimpos (commemorative book, as chief writer and editor), Salingoy Art Group, 2013
• Blurbs on Arnold Valledor’s Mamasapano and Edwin Breva’s poetry chapbook in PB Writers Series 1
• Poetry, essays & flash plays on FB (since 2010)
• Techno Chronicle, Volumes 1-4, 2007-2010 (as chief writer and editor), official publication of the Bicol Technical Vocational Schools Association (BTVSA), Inc.
• Moderator’s Notes, column in The RNAFS Harvest, official publication of RNAFS, June 2016 to present
• News features on Bikol literary arts and culture on Bicol Mail, Vox Bikol and The Bikol Reporter (occasional), 2005 to 2018

ABOUT TEATRO RAGAYANO

Brief History of Teatro Ragayano

Teatro Ragayano is a semi-professional community theater based in Ragay, Camarines Sur. It was founded on December 27, 2015, by four friends: Carlos A. Arejola, Eilyn L. Nidea, Anabel A. Haber, and Christy G. Raἠola. In February 2016, Teatro Ragayano (TR) staged Hawla, Arejola’s adaptation of Susan Glaspell’s Trifles, and Gamgam, Nidea’s adaptation of Arejola’s Mga Ibong Hapo sa Maaraw na Alas Siyete, and this paved the way for their nomination in the Best Cultural Group Category in the 2016 Aliw Awards. In 2017, TR staged Panaghoy ng Kalikasan, Arejola’s adaptation of Emelina G. regis’ Dalawang Mukha ng Kagubatan, and Kuwintas, Arejola’s adaptation of Linda Ty-Casper’s The Transparent Sun. For the third season, 2018, TR staged Nidea’s back-to-back eco-musicals Sulog nin Pagkamoot, and The More of Life, an adaptation of Trina Paulus’ Hope for the Flowers; as well as eight monologues on HIV-AIDS awareness dubbed as The Pronoun I, and written, directed, and performed by student and teacher members. The COVID ’19 pandemic brought Teatro Ragayano from the physical stage to the online/digital showcasing. This also allowed them to collaborate with other theater groups, namely, Sining Banwa (SB) in Albay for the PedXing Kolab Series, Arts, Research and Training Institute in Southern Tagalog (ARTIST), Inc. and Lusong in Laguna, for the Tanghal Festival. Other co-collaborators are Kaboronyogan kan mga Artistang Bikolnon (KAB) in Calabanga, Parasurat Bikolnon, Kintab Artists Group, Inc., Zonta Club of Naga and Camarines Sur, and Central Bicol State University of Agriculture- Sipocot. Teatro Ragayano belongs to the Taragbo Bikol Theater Network, and this greatly helps in the group’s continued growth.

Repertoire

2023

• Eilyn L. Nidea’s Woman Death Monologue and Bryan Jay C. Canar’s Sagwan for the 2^nd Pista nin Teatrong Bikolnon
• Eilyn L. Nidea’s Takbo! And Marites for Women Empowerment for Zonta Club of Naga & Camarines Sur’s activism campaign to end violence against women
• Eilyn L. Nidea’s Tao po! Tao po! for Midnight Mass at the St. Andrew the Apostle Parish Church

2022

• Eilyn L. Nidea’s Sulog for 16^th Tanghal Festival
• Eilyn L. Nidea’s Pagdusay sa Patalunan for PedXing Kolab Series 5

2021

• Eilyn L. Nidea’s Dakit/Tawid at 15^th Tanghal Festival
• Eilyn L. Nidea’s Awit ng Diwata ng Susong Dalaga, and Kawat ni Juana for Zonta Club of Naga & Camarines Sur’s activism campaign to end violence against women
• Eilyn L. Nidea’s Dagom for PedXing Kolab Series 4

2020

• Eilyn L. Nidea’s Litanya ng Manggagawa at the Sining Banwa’s PedXing Kolab Series 3
• Various authors’ Monologues and Performances for the RILES Art Project

2019

• Carlos A. Arejola’s Panaghoy ng Kalikasan at the 1^st Pista nin Teatrong Bikolnon

2018

• Eilyn L. Nidea’s Sulog nin Pagkamoot and The More of Life

2017

• Carlos A. Arejola’s Panaghoy ng Kalikasan and Kuwintas
• Various authors’ Monologues on HIV-AIDS Awareness

2016

• Carlos A. Arejola’s Hawla and Eilyn L. Nidea’s Gamgam

Creative Team and Anchors

EILYN L. NIDEA, Chief Playwright, Artistic Director, Co-Founder

ANABEL A. HABER, Production Manager, Co-Founder

GEORGETTE R. IMPERIAL, Production Designer

CHRISTY G RANOLA, Production Manager, Co-Founder

NILDA R. FUERTE, Production Designer

KATHEREN LEA C. NICOLAS-ORILLAN, Documenter

NERI F. CERBO III, Host

MICHELLE DE LIMA CHAVEZ, Documenter and Poster Creator

MARIO R. CANDELARIA, Documenter

CARLOS A. AREJOLA (in memoriam), Co-founder, Artist-in-Residence

Plays to be Staged

• Tao po! Tao po! (an adaptation of Panunuluyan Christmas Tradition) on December 11, 2023 (CBSUA-Sipocot during the Edukista event); December 13, 2023 (RNAFS Christmas Program), and on December 24, 2023 (St. Andrew the Apostle Parish Church, Liboro, Ragay, Camarines Sur)
• Marites for Women Empowerment monologue on December 10, 2023 (Naga City Hall Grounds during the Zonta Club of Naga & Camarines Sur culminating event for 16-days Activism against Gender-based Violence); and on December 11, 2023 (CBSUA-Sipocot during the Edukista event)
• Takbo flashplay (Naga City Hall Grounds during the Zonta Club of Naga & Camarines Sur culminating event for 16-days Activism against Gender-based Violence)

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— JVDJ